PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between No Love Garbrandt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Naoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Love Garbrandt
vs
Naoki

169 cm
33
175 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

182 cm
35
179 lbs
26 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, No Love Garbrandt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Takeshi Naoki!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Steven Brown and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Naoki misses with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Garbrandt. Naoki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Naoki throws a jab but it's blocked by Garbrandt.
A big right from Garbrandt misses.
Garbrandt throws a body punch but Naoki moves out of range.
Garbrandt throws a front kick aimed at Naoki's knee but Naoki avoids it well.
Naoki avoids a kick to the body.
Naoki misses with a body punch
and Garbrandt counters with a straight right hand.
Naoki avoids the body shot from Garbrandt.
Garbrandt checks a leg kick nicely.
Some bone on bone action there as Naoki checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Garbrandt ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Naoki moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garbrandt checks the leg kick nicely there.
Naoki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Garbrandt.
Garbrandt with a nice cross.
A punch lands to the side of Garbrandt 's head but he takes it in his stride.

It looks like No Love Garbrandt has been cut.
Naoki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Garbrandt is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naoki moves out of range of the body kick.
Naoki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Garbrandt moves away.
Garbrandt just misses with a punch to the body.
Naoki takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Garbrandt dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Naoki. That did some damage!
Takeshi Naoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Garbrandt lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Naoki has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Naoki and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Garbrandt throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Naoki connects with an inside leg kick.
Garbrandt throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Garbrandt throws a lazy right hand but Naoki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Naoki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Garbrandt as he avoids it easily.
Naoki takes one to the side of the head.
Naoki has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Garbrandt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Garbrandt cracks Naoki with a good jab.

Garbrandt drives through with a takedown into guard.
Garbrandt might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Garbrandt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Garbrandt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naoki wants to sweep here but Garbrandt controlling him for the moment.
Naoki working a defensive guard but Garbrandt passes into half guard.
Naoki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Naoki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Garbrandt.
Garbrandt missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've been hearing that Garbrandt has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Garbrandt has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Naoki tries to roll over but Garbrandt keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Naoki manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Garbrandt trying to control the position from guard on top but Naoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naoki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt 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.
Garbrandt trying to move into half guard but instead Naoki has managed to sweep!

Garbrandt wants to control the position but Naoki says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Naoki working Garbrandt over with strikes.
Garbrandt is looking to improve his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Naoki lands a nice short elbow.
Naoki is trying to control the action in half guard but Garbrandt is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Garbrandt tries to roll over but Naoki keeps him under control.
Garbrandt is trying to maintain the position but Naoki is very close to passing his half guard.
Naoki lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt is refusing to be controlled, as Naoki sits in half guard.
Naoki is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Naoki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Garbrandt slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Naoki is looking to work some ground and pound but Garbrandt has wrist control.
Naoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Naoki scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Naoki trying to control but Garbrandt is working from the bottom.
Naoki makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

No Love Garbrandt dominated that round.
The cut man is working on No Love Garbrandt's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Naoki defending well as Garbrandt loads up on a big left hand.
Naoki takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Garbrandt looks for the body kick but Naoki saw that one coming.
Naoki throws a jab when Garbrandt was well out of range.
Garbrandt thows a left - swing and a miss!
The fighters circle momentarily. Naoki darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Naoki goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Naoki looks to land a left hand but Garbrandt moved out of range nicely.
A slapping body kick lands there for Garbrandt.
Garbrandt just misses with a punch to the body.
Naoki throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick from Garbrandt misses.
Garbrandt throws a wild body kick that Naoki sees coming a mile off.
Naoki takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Garbrandt throws out a leg kick but Naoki moves out of range and Garbrandt only half commits.
Garbrandt paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Naoki scores with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naoki throws a body kick that misses.
Naoki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Garbrandt swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Naoki moves out of range as Garbrandt throws a body kick.
Naoki throws a front kick that sends Garbrandt stumbling back into the cage.
Naoki takes a swing at Garbrandt's ribcage but misses.
Naoki jabs Garbrandt to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Naoki takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Naoki throws a shot from downtown. Garbrandt moves away and avoids it.
Naoki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Garbrandt manages to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Garbrandt there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Naoki ducks under a wild hook from Garbrandt.
Garbrandt avoids the head kick by Naoki.
Garbrandt throwing a counter right hand but Naoki manages to avoid it.
A slow jab from Naoki misses its intended target.
Garbrandt tried to score with a low kick but Naoki checks it.
Garbrandt moves out of range as Naoki strikes.
Naoki takes a swing at Garbrandt's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naoki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Naoki connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garbrandt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Naoki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Naoki misses with a looping right.
Naoki takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Naoki slips under a jab.
Garbrandt on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Garbrandt tries to score a power double leg takedown but Naoki sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Garbrandt somewhat.
Garbrandt jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Garbrandt ducks under a wild hook from Naoki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt wants to land a leg kick but Naoki is out of range.
Naoki keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Garbrandt takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Naoki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nice straight punches there by Garbrandt. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Garbrandt.
Naoki defending well as Garbrandt loads up on a big left hand.
Naoki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A punch lands to the side of Garbrandt 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Garbrandt keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Naoki tries a low kick but Garbrandt avoids it.
Naoki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Garbrandt throwing a counter right hand but Naoki manages to avoid it.
No Love Garbrandt is winning the standup battle so far.
Naoki moves forwards but Garbrandt connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nice jab there from Garbrandt.
Naoki throws a solid leg kick but Garbrandt takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Naoki.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Garbrandt thows a leg kick but Naoki checks it
and Naoki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Naoki sizes up Garbrandt with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naoki throws a half hearted mid kick.
Garbrandt thumps Naoki with a low kick.
Naoki fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Naoki throws a body shot but no joy.
Naoki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Garbrandt misses with a looping right.
Garbrandt leaves Naoki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Garbrandt connects with a leg kick. Naoki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A clash of legs there as Naoki blocks the low kick.
Naoki feints and then cracks Garbrandt's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Garbrandt down.
Naoki throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Garbrandt walks into a jab.
Garbrandt takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Garbrandt connects with a solid leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Naoki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on No Love Garbrandt's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Naoki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Garbrandt was well out of range. Poor timing from Naoki.
An attempted straight right counter from Garbrandt misses the target.
A slapping body kick lands there for Garbrandt.
Garbrandt chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Garbrandt throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Naoki tries to counter with a clinch but Garbrandt shakes him off and moves away.
Garbrandt is looking to slow Naoki down with leg kicks.
Naoki slips under a jab from Garbrandt.
A head kick by Garbrandt misses
and Naoki counters with a nice leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Naoki.
Garbrandt takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A looping hook to the body misses from Garbrandt. Naoki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Garbrandt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naoki takes a jab right on the kisser.
Garbrandt avoids the head kick by Naoki.
Naoki throws a leg kick but Garbrandt checks it.
Garbrandt throws a quick counter kick to the body but Naoki avoids it.
Naoki misses with a combination
and Garbrandt counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garbrandt connects with a high kick.
Garbrandt fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Naoki checks it well.
Garbrandt on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Naoki scores with a leg kick.
Garbrandt connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Garbrandt throws a lazy right hand but Naoki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Naoki with a poor takedown
and Garbrandt counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Garbrandt changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Naoki takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A low kick from Garbrandt misses
and Naoki counters with a thumping low kick.
Garbrandt scores with a spinning back kick!
Garbrandt avoids the body shot from Naoki.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Garbrandt checks a leg kick.
Garbrandt throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Naoki feints a counter leg kick.
Naoki lands a lovely overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naoki moves out of range of the strikes.
Naoki lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Naoki swinging wildly here.
Garbrandt is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Garbrandt misses with an uppercut. Naoki saw that one coming.
Naoki has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Garbrandt walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Naoki lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Garbrandt misses with a looping left.
Naoki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Naoki tries to land a leg kick but Garbrandt saw it coming and moves away.
Garbrandt looks to throw the jab but Naoki is out of range.
Naoki gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Naoki moves out of range of the body kick.
Jab from Naoki.
Naoki lands with an uppercut that bounces Garbrandt off the cage and back into range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naoki throws a leg kick which misses Garbrandt's front leg but catches the back leg as Garbrandt tries to avoid it.
Naoki throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Garbrandt.
Garbrandt scores with a nice strike.
Naoki scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Garbrandt doesn't seem bothered though.
Garbrandt misses with a wild body shot.
Garbrandt throws a hook but Naoki avoids it easily.
Garbrandt misses the shot to the body.
No joy there for Garbrandt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Naoki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Garbrandt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Naoki.
Garbrandt thuds his right hand into Naoki's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Garbrandt feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Naokis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Naoki blocks a jab.
Naoki has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Naoki there as he acknowledges the shot.
Garbrandt throws a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Garbrandt misses with an uppercut. Naoki saw that one coming.
Naoki feints a jab promting Garbrandt to slip. Naoki then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Garbrandt slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Garbrandt tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Naoki is able to avoid easily.
Garbrandt lands a leg kick that knocks Naoki off balance momentarily.
Garbrandt thumps Naoki with a low kick.
Naoki connects with a jab.
Naoki looks to land a right hand but Garbrandt moved out of range.
Naoki thuds his shin into the meat of Garbrandt's side.
Garbrandt takes one on the button.
The fight stays on the outside here - Naoki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Naoki just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromGarbrandt.
Naoki throws an off balance right hand
and Garbrandt counters with a low kick, right behind Naoki 's knee.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Garbrandt turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Naoki pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Garbrandt back to the cage. Naoki follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Garbrandt moves out of range of the leg kick from Naoki.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to No Love Garbrandt.
I think Garbrandt has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... No Love Garbrandt!
A relieved looking No Love Garbrandt thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.