PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marius Meridius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdul Nakambo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Meridius might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Rolling Thunder. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Meridius
vs
Nakambo

182 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marius Meridius !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abdul Nakambo!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakambo fails to land with a series of punches.
Meridius doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakambo circles away.
Nakambo jabs Meridius to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nakambo lands with a good body shot.
Nakambo scores with a sloppy right hand. Meridius should have avoided that one.
Meridius missing with a left hand there. Nakambo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Meridius throws a hook but Nakambo blocks it.
Meridius swinging wildly here.
Nakambo lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Nakambo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Meridius moves forwards but Nakambo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nakambo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Meridius takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Meridius 's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Nakambo connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Meridius scrambles back to his feet.
Abdul Nakambo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meridius misses with a lunging right hand
and Nakambo counters with a nice uppercut.
Meridius closes the distance looking to clinch
and Nakambo counters with a nice uppercut.
Nakambo has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nakambo lands an overhand right.
Good standup being displayed there by Nakambo as he connects with a hook.
Meridius tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nakambo swivels and escapes.
Meridius throws a big shot that misses.
Nakambo swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nakambo is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Meridius had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Meridius drops his hands momentarily and Nakambo takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Meridius throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nakambo has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Nakambo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Meridius looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Nakambo misses with the combination.
Meridius wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nakambo lands the left hand.
Nakambo might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakambo wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A punch combination from Nakambo misses.
Meridius walks into a left hand.
Nakambo cracks Meridius with a right hand to the side of the head.
Meridius with a poor takedown
and Nakambo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Meridius shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nakambo connects with a jab.
Meridius misses with a hook
and Meridius takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Meridius .
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marius Meridius . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice jab there from Nakambo.
Meridius fails with the takedown
and Nakambo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Meridius walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meridius throws a shot from downtown. Nakambo moves away and avoids it.
Meridius is looking to clinch.
Nakambo lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Nakambo uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Meridius has time to react.
Meridius misses with a takedown attempt
and Nakambo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nakambo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Meridius closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nakambo catches Meridius with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Meridius throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nakambo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Meridius doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nakambo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nakambo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Meridius .
Meridius on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakambo lands an overhand right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Meridius misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Nakambo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Meridius doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakambo circles away.
Nakambo swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Meridius .
Nakambo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Nakambo. Those never looked like landing.
Nakambo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Meridius walks into a left hand.
Nakambo defending well as Meridius loads up on a big left hand.
Nakambo swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nakambo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Meridius throws out the jab.
Meridius looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nakambo is fending him off so far but Meridius persists. Nope, Nakambo circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakambo slips under a jab from Meridius .
Meridius throws the left hand but Nakambo avoids the punch easily.
Meridius fails with the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdul Nakambo dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice uppercut lands for Nakambo. That snapped Meridius 's head back.
Meridius missing with a left hand there. Nakambo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nakambo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Meridius . Meridius circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Meridius misses the shot to the body.
Nakambo jabs Meridius to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nakambo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakambo jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A jab lands there for Nakambo.
Nakambo lands with a straight right. Meridius didn't see that one coming.
Nakambo dips to his left and cracks Meridius with an uppercut!
Meridius fails to land the takedown.
A little jabbing left from Nakambo on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Meridius might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Meridius gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Meridius throws a right and a left that Nakambo avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakambo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nakambo is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Meridius misses with an uppercut.
A combination from Meridius does no damage.
Nakambo swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Meridius .
Meridius looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nakambo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Meridius throws out the jab.
Nakambo lands a lovely overhand right.
Meridius looks to clinch
and Nakambo counters with a straight right hand.
Nakambo shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Meridius eats them both and turns towards Nakambo to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Meridius throws a big shot that misses.
A punch lands to the side of Meridius 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Meridius wants to clinch.
Nakambo lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Meridius misses with a hook
and Nakambo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nakambo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Meridius .
A left and a right from Nakambo both land. Nice combination.
Nakambo connects with the punch.
Nakambo misses with the combination.
Meridius takes one to the side of the head.
Meridius throws a combination that misses
and Nakambo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Meridius takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Meridius rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nakambo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Meridius throws a lazy uppercut
and Nakambo counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakambo lands with a cross.
Nakambo sizes up Meridius with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nakambo feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Meridius s jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nakambo connects with a jab.
Meridius loads up on a big right hand but Nakambo slips the punch.
Meridius misses with a body punch
and Nakambo counters with a series of strikes. Meridius will be more careful next time no doubt.
Good shot there by Nakambo.
Nakambo misses with the combination.
Nakambo swats away the attempt to clinch by Meridius .
Meridius throws a lazy right hand but Nakambo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nakambo keeps the fight on the outside.
Nakambo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Meridius backs up against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Meridius gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nakambo throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Meridius on the side of the head.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Nakambo!
A slow jab from Meridius misses its intended target.
Nakambo swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Meridius on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nakambo connects with a single shot there.
Nakambo with a nice cross.
Meridius closes the distance but Nakambo moves to the side
and Nakambo counters with a straight right hand.
Nakambo scores with a body shot.
Meridius doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakambo circles away.
Nakambo throws out a counter right but Meridius avoids it with no problem.
Meridius is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Nakambo's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakambo connects with a body shot.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nakambo lands a glancing blow to the side of Meridius 's head.
Nakambo lands a jab to the nose.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdul Nakambo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nakambo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Meridius . Meridius circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Meridius misses with a takedown attempt - Nakambo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Meridius takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A left and a right from Nakambo both land. Nice combination.
Meridius swings widly with a right hand
and Nakambo counters with a straight right hand.
Nakambo throws a good cross that connects.
Nakambo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nakambo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nakambo misses with a two punch combination.
Meridius jabbing away but nothing is landing.
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!
Meridius doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Meridius loads up on a big right hand but Nakambo slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakambo lands a nice shot that snaps Meridius 's head back.
Nakambo cracks a nice hook into Meridius 's ribs.
Meridius swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nakambo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Meridius tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nakambo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nakambo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Meridius swings widly with a right hand
enabling Nakambo to counter with a crisp jab.
Meridius wants to clinch
and Nakambo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Meridius walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Meridius .
Nakambo looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Meridius shoots and misses
letting Nakambo counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marius Meridius . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nakambo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Meridius takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meridius throws a body shot but no joy.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Meridius . He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Meridius misses with a lunging right hand
and Nakambo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Meridius looks to land a right hand but Nakambo moved out of range.
Nakambo throws a counter combo.
Nakambo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Meridius . Meridius circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Meridius takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nakambo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Meridius . Meridius circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nakambo thuds his right hand into Meridius 's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nakambo connects with a single shot there.
Nakambo lands an overhand right.
Meridius drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Meridius fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakambo staying out of range there.
Nakambo throws a series of punches but Meridius moves out of range.
Nakambo lands with an uppercut that bounces Meridius off the ropes and back into range.
Meridius throws a lazy uppercut
and Nakambo counters with a nice uppercut.
Abdul Nakambo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Meridius rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nakambo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice defenses there by Nakambo.
Nakambo lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Meridius shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nakambo pinned against the ropes. Nakambo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nakambo swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nakambo darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nakambo connects with a single shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meridius misses with a hook
and Nakambo counters with a one-two to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakambo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Meridius 's hands.
Meridius throws a lazy uppercut
and Nakambo counters with a left and a right that stings Meridius .
Meridius throws a lazy uppercut
and Nakambo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Meridius doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Nakambo counter with a right hand.
Nakambo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Marius Meridius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Meridius throws a right hand that misses
and Nakambo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nakambo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Meridius 's head backwards.
Nakambo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Meridius at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Meridius throws a hook but Nakambo avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Nakambo on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nakambo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Abdul Nakambo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Meridius tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nakambo swats him away and circles back towards the center.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdul Nakambo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nakambo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 24:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdul Nakambo!