PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kingsley Nasir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maricue Russel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Nasir
vs
Russel

185 cm
37
182 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

190 cm
39
200 lbs
19 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kingsley Nasir!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Maricue Russel!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Donatello Bradman and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nasir has managed to clinch.

Nasir gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Russel regains guard.
Nasir pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Russel is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nasir trying to control but Russel is working from the bottom.
Nasir is in close to Russel's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nasir wants to control from the top but Russel keeps moving.
Nasir engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nasir trying to control the position from guard on top but Russel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nasir throwing strikes from guard but Russel blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nasir engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Russel keeping moving, preventing Nasir from controlling successfully.
Russel is trying to keep Nasir in close.
Nasir advances to half guard.
Nasir wants to lay and pray for a moment but Russel keeps working.
Nasir seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Russel is trying to get back to full guard.
Nasir working Russel over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nasir is trying to control the action in half guard but Russel is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nasir lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Russel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nasir is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Nasir missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nasir is trying to control. Russel wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nasir stalling.
Russel is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russel is staying active underneath Nasir, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nasir seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nasir controlling the action here.
Russel has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Nasir looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Russel with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Nasir is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Russel sees it coming and defends easily.
Russel taking some punishment here, with Nasir in his half guard.
Nasir passes to full mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Nasir cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Nasir prevents Russel from getting the reversal.
Nasir looking to control but Russel is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nasir dominating with strikes here.
Nasir putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Nasir is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Russel can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Nasir controlling his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russel is trying to escape the mount.
Nasir can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Russel is looking to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nasir prevents Russel from getting the reversal.
Nasir controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kingsley Nasir dominated that round.
That's time! Nasir's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nasir has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nasir tries to pull guard but Russel forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Nasir has Russel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Russel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Nasir jumps into guard, dragging Russel to the mat.
Russel throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nasir works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nasir wants to sweep here but Russel controlling him for the moment.
Nasir keeping moving, preventing Russel from controlling successfully.

Nasir working for a triangle but Russel defends it easily.
We've been hearing good reports from Nasir's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russel distracts Nasir with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Russel throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Russel got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nasir has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Russel has managed to get both his arms back between Nasir's legs - danger averted.
Nasir controlling Russel's posture.
Russel throws a big right hand that misses.
Nasir utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nasir is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Russel can do to turn this around?
Russel wants to control from the top but Nasir keeps moving.
Nasir controlling the position.

Nasir has his foot on Russel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Russel works his way back into a safe position though.
Russel wants to control from the top but Nasir keeps moving.
Russel scoring with punches to the head and body.
Russel won't allow Nasir to sweep him here.
Russel landing with the ground and pound.
Nasir wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nasir's head.

Nasir escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Russel gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Russel postures up and lands a big shot to Nasir's brow.
Russel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nasir swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Russel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Nasir is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Russel stopping the sweep attempt from Nasir.
Nasir keeping moving, preventing Russel from controlling successfully.
Nasir is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Russel looking to pass the guard.
Nasir is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russel is trying to get back to full guard.
Nasir passes the guard and advances to mount!
Nasir looking to control but Russel is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nasir controlling the position easily from mount.
Russel is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nasir is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Russel has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Russel!
Nasir controls Russel momentarily but Russel frees himself.
Nasir preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Russel working some strikes from top position.
Nasir is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Russel wants to control from the top but Nasir keeps moving.

Nasir is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Russel is aware though and is defending well.
Kingsley Nasir overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Russel landing some decent shots from guard.
Russel working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Russel landing with the ground and pound.

Nasir looking for a guillotine here but Russel defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Maricue Russel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nasir misses with a body kick.
Nasir leaves Russel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Russel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nasir defends it nicely.

Nasir closes the distance and pushes Russel back into the cage.
Russel avoiding damage as Nasir throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russel tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kingsley Nasir has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maricue Russel.
Russel has Nasir pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nasir manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nasir has Russel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Russel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russel blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Russel avoids a wild elbow strike from Nasir.
Nasir lands with a left to the head.
Russel tries to pull guard but Nasir holds him up against the cage and eventually Russel drops back down to his feet.

Nasir decides to pull guard.

Nasir working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Russel doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Russel manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Russel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nasir trying to keep a closed guard but Russel is proving a slippery customer.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nasir is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nasir pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Russel is keeping the position for now.
Russel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nasir is one step ahead there.
Russel keeping moving, preventing Nasir from controlling successfully.
Nasir slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Nasir looking to pass the guard.
Nasir throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nasir throws a big right hand that misses.
Nasir trying to control but Russel is working from the bottom.
Nasir won't allow Russel to sweep him here.
Nasir working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Nasir got a little sloppy there for a moment and Russel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nasir has managed to get both his arms back between Russel's legs - danger averted.
Nasir trying to control the position from guard on top but Russel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nasir is one step ahead there.
Nasir chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nasir not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Nasir passes Russel's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Russel has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nasir is working away from the top position though.
Russel wants to get back to full guard.
Nasir looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Russel is not content to let Nasir control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nasir throws a head kick that Russel semi-blocks.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nasir is defended easily by Russel.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kingsley Nasir showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nasir has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:27
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kingsley Nasir!
Kingsley Nasir seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.