PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nathan Craft (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dom Dominic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dom Dominic has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Craft
vs
Dominic

225 cm
18
140 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

178 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Nathan Craft!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Dom Dominic!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Craft with a jab.
Dominic takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Dominic has managed to clinch.
Craft prevents the takedown attempt.

Craft gets control of Dominic's arms and successfully pulls guard. Craft will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Dominic 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dominic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dominic controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dominic slips nicely into half guard.
Craft is trying to stand back up but Dominic is controlling him
Still in half guard, Dominic seems content to control.
Dominic's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Craft knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dominic on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Dominic wants to pass to mount but Craft is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dominic content to control rather than advance.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Dominic has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dominic breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Dominic with that takedown attempt.
Craft tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dominic swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Craft counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dominic fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nathan Craft has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom Dominic.
Dominic throws a body shot but no joy.
Dominic shoots in for a takedown but Craft shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Craft displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dominic.
Craft appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Craft tries to clinch there but Dominic circles away.
Dominic throws a counter combo.
Dominic shoots in for a double leg but Craft sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nathan Craft will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dominic shoots in but Craft avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Dom Dominic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dominic fails with the takedown.
Dominic swats away the attempt to clinch by Craft.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dominic shoots for a double leg takedown but Craft sprawls well. He's pushed Dominic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nathan Craft has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom Dominic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craft lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Dominic closes the distance and clinches up with Craft, looking for a takedown. Dominic pushes Craft against the cage but Craft circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Craft appears to be looking for a big counter.
Dominic tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Craft defends well and Dominic ends up having to push Craft into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Dominic shoots in but no luck this time.
Craft changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Craft really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Craft fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Dominic avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dominic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Craft is fending him off so far but Dominic persists. Nope, Craft circles away and we're back to standing.
Dominic shoots in but no luck this time.
Craft seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Dominic fails with the takedown
and Dominic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Craft is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Dominic shoots in and drives through. Craft sprawls well.

Dominic scores with a takedown into Craft's guard.

Craft is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Craft will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craft can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Dominic controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dominic postures up in Craft's guard and throws a big left but Craft blocks it.
Dominic stays in close to Craft's body and controls the position.
Dominic pushing down on Craft's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Dominic is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Craft sees it coming and defends easily.

Dominic is working for a submission of some sort.
Craft is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dominic can do to turn this around?
Dominic works his foot free and advances to mount.

Dominic with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Dominic is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nathan Craft will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Craft defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dominic.
Craft wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Dominic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Craft's waist but Craft gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dominic off to one side.
Craft wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nathan Craft is winning the standup battle so far.

Dominic moves into range and clinches up with Craft.
Dominic tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nathan Craft has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom Dominic.
Craft prevents a takedown attempt there.
Dominic tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craft is pressed up against the cage. Dominic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Craft down to the mat. Craft avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Craft fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dom Dominic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craft wants to clinch.
And Dominic tries to counter it with a takedown but Craft pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Dominic shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Craft sprawls well. Craft wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dominic gets slowly back to his feet.
Craft appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Craft misses with a wild combination.
Dominic dives in for a single leg takedown but Craft sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Craft fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Craft misses with a takedown attempt - Dominic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And Dominic tries to counter it with a takedown but Craft pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dominic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Craft as he avoids it easily.
Dominic shoots in but no luck this time.

Dominic clinches with his opponent.
Dominic blocks an elbow strike from Craft.
Craft tries to pull guard but Dominic forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Craft misses with a knee strike.
Craft wants to break free but Dominic has control.

Dominic decides to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dominic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Craft would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Dominic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Craft gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dominic bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Craft's guard.

Dom Dominic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nathan Craft is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Craft wants to stand but Dominic is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dom Dominic.
I think Craft 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Nathan Craft!