PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nathaniel Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cheik Imbula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Imbula comes into a darkened arena with his song building. ~Apache~ kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Cheik Imbula has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Nathaniel Armstrong's chin.

Armstrong
vs
Imbula

180 cm
32
179 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

185 cm
23
186 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$)
Urban Fighter

Aspire Clothing
Urban Fighter

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 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Nathaniel Armstrong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cheik Imbula!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Elvis Blanc and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Imbula moves into range and connects with a jab.

It looks like Nathaniel Armstrong has been cut.
Imbula misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice uppercut there from Armstrong.
Imbula throws a hook to the side of Armstrong's head but Armstrong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Armstrong drops down looking for a counter takedown but Imbula sprawls and moves away.
Armstrong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Imbula misses with a combination

and Armstrong counters with a single leg into guard. Imbula didn't expect that.
Armstrong postures up in Imbula's guard and throws a big left but Imbula blocks it.
Imbula is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Imbula seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Armstrong is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Imbula jumps into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Imbula taking a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Imbula trying to control but Armstrong is having none of it.
Armstrong tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Imbula landing strikes from the mount.
Imbula can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Armstrong is looking to escape.
Armstrong is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imbula controlling from mount.
Armstrong is squirming around, avoiding Imbula's attempts to control the action.
Armstrong tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Imbula controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Imbula with good strikes from the mount here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong stops Imbula from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Armstrong wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Imbula has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Armstrong's body.
Imbula is hanging on to Armstrong's back as he tries to escape.
Armstrong trying to control the hands but Imbula breaks the grip.
Imbula is trying to stick to Armstrong's back but Armstrong is turning into Imbula. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Imbula's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Armstrong.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Imbula looking to control.

Imbula is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Armstrong is aware though and is defending well.
Imbula looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Armstrong has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong slips nicely into half guard.
Armstrong thows a huge punch but Imbula dodges it nicely.
Armstrong trying to control the action but Imbula is working from the bottom.
Imbula wants to control but Armstrong is keeping busy.
Imbula moves into full guard.
Imbula looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Imbula looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Armstrong passes into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cheik Imbula dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nathaniel Armstrong's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Armstrong ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Armstrong dives in and grabs Imbula's left leg, looking for a takedown. Imbula pushes down on Armstrong's head and hops out.
Imbula tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Armstrong was well out of range. Poor timing from Imbula.
Armstrong changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Armstrong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Armstrong throws a lazy body kick
and Imbula counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Armstrong throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Armstrong misses with a right hand
enabling Imbula to counter with a crisp jab.
Armstrong goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Armstrong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Armstrong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Imbula counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Armstrong shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Imbula thuds a left hand into Armstrong's body.
Armstrong keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Imbula.
Armstrong ducks under a wild hook from Imbula.
The fighters circle momentarily. Armstrong darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Imbula misses with a body shot.
Armstrong throws a sloppy head kick
and Imbula counters with a stiff right hand.
Armstrong defending well as Imbula loads up on a big left hand.
Imbula avoids a punch combination nicely.
Imbula wants to counter with a clinch but Armstrong pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Imbula.
Imbula ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Armstrong moves away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Armstrong throws a head kick but Imbula moves out of range.
Imbula misses with a body shot.
Armstrong lands a nice looking body shot.
Armstrong throws a sloppy head kick and Imbula moves out of range easily.
Armstrong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Imbula throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Armstrong swinging wildly here.
Armstrong scores with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imbula wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Imbula fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Armstrong is out of range.
Armstrong connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Imbula falls off balance throwing a combination

and Armstrong counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Armstrong got a little sloppy there for a moment and Imbula has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Armstrong has managed to get both his arms back between Imbula's legs - danger averted.
Armstrong won't allow Imbula to sweep him here.
Armstrong controlling from the top position.

Imbula escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Armstrong gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Imbula looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Armstrong is looking to work some ground and pound but Imbula has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Imbula working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Armstrong doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Armstrong manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Imbula thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Armstrong trying to control the position from guard on top but Imbula is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Armstrong won't allow Imbula to sweep him here.
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 Nathaniel Armstrong will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Nathaniel Armstrong's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Imbula. Armstrong does a little dance to reset his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Imbula.
Imbula staying out of range there.
Armstrong lands with a good body shot.
Armstrong scores with a head kick. Imbula tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Imbula throws a low kick but Armstrong moves out of range easily.
Armstrong throws a jab but it's blocked by Imbula.
Nathaniel Armstrong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Imbula swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Armstrong tries to counter with a takedown but Imbula is quick to defend against it.
Armstrong throws a head kick but Imbula moves out of range.
Imbula looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Cheik Imbula seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Armstrong throws a head kick but Imbula moves out of range.
Imbula is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Armstrong with a body shot.
Imbula scores with a crisp jab that stopped Armstrong in his tracks.
Imbula throws a leg kick that is checked

so Armstrong counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Armstrong trying to control but Imbula is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbula looking to control.
Armstrong looking to pass the guard.
Armstrong showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Imbula has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Armstrong wants to control from the top but Imbula keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Imbula is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Armstrong throwing strikes from guard but Imbula blocks nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Imbula uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Armstrong.
Imbula now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Imbula swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Armstrong counters with a single leg into guard. Imbula didn't expect that.
Armstrong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Imbula swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Armstrong got a little sloppy there for a moment and Imbula has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Armstrong has managed to get both his arms back between Imbula's legs - danger averted.
Imbula bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Armstrong's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imbula trying to control but Armstrong is working from the bottom.
Armstrong will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Armstrong looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Armstrong throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Imbula drops back looking for a leg! Armstrong is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Armstrong manages to kick Imbula off! Imbula jumps back into Armstrong's guard.

Armstrong isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Imbula stacks Armstrong on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Imbula!
Armstrong tries to control but Imbula manages to take his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong tries to break free.
Armstrong trying to survive by controlling the hands.

Armstrong showing good submission defense here.

Imbula is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Armstrong is defending well though. Imbula let's go of the attempt for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Armstrong defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Imbula's arms.

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 Nathaniel Armstrong.
I think Armstrong 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!