PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yidel Ananth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Nordquist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yidel Ananth has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ananth
vs
Nordquist

173 cm
19
153 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
20
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yidel Ananth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Nordquist!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nordquist avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nordquist tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nordquist takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nordquist tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ananth sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nordquist somewhat.
A shot to the liver by Ananth. Beautiful body shot.

Ananth gets tackled into the cage by Nordquist. Nordquist maintains the clinch.
Ananth is leaning against Nordquist and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A shot in the inside from Ananth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ananth tries to throw a body punch but Nordquist avoids it by throwing Ananth back against the cage.
Ananth lands with a light punch inside.
Ananth misses with the head strike.
Nordquist trying to control the position but instead, Ananth has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nordquist into the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Ananth.
Nordquist is trying to maintain a safe position but Ananth gets an underhook and turns Nordquist into the cage.
Ananth lands a right hand.
Nordquist prevents a body shot from Ananth.
A left hand lands to the body for Ananth.
Ananth is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Nordquist struggles to land a body shot inside as Ananth controls his hands.
A short body shot lands from Ananth as the two fighters clinch.
Ananth misses with a body punch.
Ananth scores with a hook to the body.
Ananth goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ananth lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ananth works on Nordquist's body with a couple of short punches.
Ananth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ananth lands with a right to the head.
Ananth tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nordquist drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yidel Ananth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Nordquist.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nordquist.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ananth digs a right hand into Nordquist's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nordquist's gas tank.
Nordquist is trying to pull guard but Ananth turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ananth scores with a shot to the side of Nordquist's head.
Nordquist jumps guard but Ananth turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nordquist goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ananth prevents it.
Ananth lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Nordquist is rocked!
Nordquist blocks an uppercut.
Ananth throws a head punch that misses.
Nordquist tries to throw a body punch but Ananth avoids it by throwing Nordquist back against the cage.
Nordquist prevents a body shot from Ananth.
Ananth lands a right hand.
Nordquist is still on wobbly legs! Can Ananth finish him?
Ananth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nordquist seems to have recovered his senses.
Ananth lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nordquist backwards.
Nordquist is trying to pull guard but Ananth turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ananth lands a body shot.

Nordquist pulls guard.
Nordquist wants to sweep here but Ananth controlling him for the moment.

Nordquist working for a triangle but Ananth defends it easily.
Nordquist looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ananth missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nordquist looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ananth is one step ahead there.
Nordquist lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ananth knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nordquist on the ground.
Nordquist scoring with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ananth avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ananth has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Nordquist connects with a couple of short punches.
Ananth on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ananth tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nordquist with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nordquist loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ananth looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Ananth trying to keep a closed guard but Nordquist is proving a slippery customer.
Nordquist wants to control from the top but Ananth keeps moving.
Nordquist content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nordquist throws a big right hand that misses.
Ananth wants to sweep here but Nordquist controlling him for the moment.
Nordquist connects with a couple of short punches.
Nordquist seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yidel Ananth dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nordquist fails with a takedown attempt.
Nordquist shoots in for a takedown but Ananth shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nordquist avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ananth slaps away a takedown attempt from Nordquist, before circling back to the center of the mat.
As Nordquist looks to move away, Ananth throws a big counter combo but Nordquist just gets out of the way.
Yidel Ananth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Nordquist.
Nordquist throws a predictable looking body shot

and Ananth counters by clinching up.
Ananth lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ananth throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ananth lands a body punch in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ananth working aggressively here.
Nice body punch from Ananth - that landed with a thud.
A nice left hand lands by Ananth.
Nordquist blocks an uppercut.
Ananth pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nordquist drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ananth struggles to land a body shot inside as Nordquist controls his hands.
Ananth lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nordquist.
Ananth taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ananth.
Nordquist throws a punch but it's blocked by Ananth.
Ananth dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ananth scores with a shot to the side of Nordquist's head.
Yidel Ananth has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A head punch on the inside from Ananth fails to land.
Nordquist prevents a body shot from Ananth.
Ananth softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nordquist scores with a shoulder strike.
Ananth lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ananth misses with some punches.
Nordquist jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ananth walks away with a smile on his face. Nordquist gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ananth is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nordquist can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nordquist closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ananth's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nordquist postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ananth working a defensive guard here.
Nordquist is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nordquist is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nordquist postures up and lands a big shot to Ananth's brow.
Nordquist trying to control the position from guard on top but Ananth is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nordquist throwing strikes but missing.
Nordquist trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nordquist stands up over Ananth, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nordquist distracts Ananth with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ananth is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nordquist content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ananth is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nordquist is controlling him.
Nordquist lands a couple of elbows.
Ananth looking to control.
Ananth looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nordquist is one step ahead there.
Nordquist postures up in Ananth's guard and throws a big left but Ananth blocks it.
Ananth preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nordquist is working Ananth over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nordquist wants to control from the top but Ananth keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nordquist postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nordquist engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Nordquist has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nordquist stands up over Ananth, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nordquist throwing strikes but missing.
Nordquist distracts Ananth with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ananth wants to sweep here but Nordquist controlling him for the moment.
Nordquist cracks Ananth with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nordquist postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ananth preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
John Nordquist has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ananth trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Nordquist will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nordquist throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ananth was covering up waiting for the punch and Nordquist finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Nordquist postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ananth wants to sweep here but Nordquist controlling him for the moment.
Nordquist lands a couple of digs.
Nordquist landing with the ground and pound.
Nordquist with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nordquist throwing strikes from guard but Ananth blocks nicely.
Nordquist lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nordquist wants to control from the top but Ananth keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ananth looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nordquist is one step ahead there.
Ananth working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nordquist.
Ananth wants to sweep here but Nordquist controlling him for the moment.
Nordquist seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Nordquist looking to sit in guard and control but Ananth gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ananth slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nordquist is on top in guard.

John Nordquist has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nordquist throwing strikes but missing.
Ananth has momentary wrist control but Nordquist slips an elbow through the middle.
Nordquist working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nordquist advances position into side control!
Nordquist scores with punches from side control.
Nordquist working the head with strikes.
Nordquist throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Ananth takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Nordquist scores with punches from side control.
Nordquist landing strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nordquist in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nordquist lands an elbow.

Ananth is rocked!
Ananth struggling a bit here.
Oh Ananth is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nordquist laying and praying for a moment but Ananth takes advantage and regains half guard.
Nordquist missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ananth seems to have got his legs back now.
Ananth is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nice strikes from Nordquist there.
Nordquist thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ananth trying to hold on to Nordquist's head to control him but Nordquist postures up.
Ananth taking some punishment here, with Nordquist in his half guard.
Nordquist is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nordquist seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nordquist looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nordquist working the head and body with strikes.
Nordquist not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ananth on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nordquist is nestled in close to Ananth, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nordquist is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Yidel Ananth has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nordquist lands with a punch from half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nordquist working over Ananth with some ground and pound. Ananth looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ananth tries to roll over but Nordquist keeps him under control.
Nordquist lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nordquist is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Ananth is hurt! He's hurt bad - Nordquist fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Ananth from any more punishment! Congratulations to Nordquist! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John Nordquist!
In his post fight interview, John Nordquist started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.