PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nick Fjera (ranked 786 p4p, 39 weight class) and David Tua (ranked 519 p4p, 20 weight class). Nick Fjera has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fjera
vs
Tua

188 cm
36
273 lbs
27 - 12 - 1

178 cm
30
235 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Woodshins' Ship
Riner Clothing and Laundry (85%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Nick Fjera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, David Tua !
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fjera steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tua .
Tua avoids the body shot from Fjera.
Tua pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fjera tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tua throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tua takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Fjera scores with a takedown into Tua 's guard.
Fjera tries to free his leg and advance position but Tua is retaining full guard.
Fjera won't allow Tua to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fjera controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Fjera won't allow Tua to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fjera not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Fjera postures up.
Tua keeping moving, preventing Fjera from controlling successfully.
Fjera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tua lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Fjera throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Tua escapes and throws Fjera's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Tua wants to control but Fjera is keeping him busy.
Fjera tries to bench press Tua off him but Tua keeps the position.
Tua working away.
Fjera gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Fjera looking for submissions off his back.
Fjera tries to roll over but Tua keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tua wants to control but Fjera is keeping him busy.
Fjera is looking for a sweep. Tua is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tua controlling the pace.
Fjera regains full guard. Nicely done.

Fjera has his foot on Tua 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tua works his way back into a safe position though.

Fjera looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tua postures up.

Fjera escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tua gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fjera wants to sweep here but Tua controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tua wants to control from the top but Fjera keeps moving.
Tua preventing the sweep.
Tua tries to free his leg and advance position but Fjera is retaining full guard.
Fjera looking for a sweep. Not yet Fjera, not yet.
Tua trying to control but Fjera is working from the bottom.
Fjera has control of Tua 's left arm, preventing Tua from doing any damage.
Fjera wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Tua is now in half guard.
Fjera gets full guard.
Fjera looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tua is one step ahead there.
Tua really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fjera. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Fjera working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tua doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tua manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fjera looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tua trying to control but Fjera is working from the bottom.
Fjera looking to control.
Fjera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Fjera looking for a guillotine here but Tua defends easily.
Fjera wants to hit a switch here but Tua passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Fjera there!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fjera wants to hold on but Tua pushes him away.
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 Nick Fjera will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tua sizes up Fjera with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Fjera has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Tua .
Tua walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tua .

Fjera changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tua looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Nick Fjera overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tua is trying to control Fjera's posture but Fjera avoids it.
Fjera misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Fjera tries for a kimura but Tua is defending well.
Tua tries to improve position but can't.

Fjera tries for a kimura but Tua is defending well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fjera misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
You can see the frustration on Tua 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fjera is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tua knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Fjera trying to control the action but Tua is working from the bottom.

Fjera tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Fjera has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tua is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Fjera has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Fjera wants to control but Tua is keeping him busy.

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

Fjera is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tua has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tua is not content to let Fjera control the position.

Fjera is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tua has escaped the position, nice work there.

Fjera working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Fjera taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fjera trying to control the action but Tua is working from the bottom.
Fjera is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tua is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Fjera content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Tua is not content to let Fjera control the position.
Fjera postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

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.
Fjera is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Tua 's shoulder. That is not cool.
Tua is not content to let Fjera control the position.
Fjera looking to control but instead Tua has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tua manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tua keeping moving, preventing Fjera from controlling successfully.
Tua tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tua manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fjera manages to get himself to full guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Fjera has his foot on Tua 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tua works his way back into a safe position though.
Fjera trying to control the position.

Fjera is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tua defends well.
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 Nick Fjera will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tua throws a shot to the body.
Tua cracks the inside of Fjera's front leg.
Tua throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tua keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fjera missing with a left hand there. Tua was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tua .
Tua throws out a powerful jab.
Tua throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Fjera.

It looks like Nick Fjera has been cut.
Fjera misses with an uppercut
and Fjera takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fjera waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tua .
Tua throws a counter combo.
Tua moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tua feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Fjeras jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fjera seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fjera misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tua .
Tua connects with the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tua blocks a jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tua ! But no joy.
Tua connects with a good right hand that stumbles Fjera. Fjera circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fjera throws the left hand but Tua avoids the punch easily.
Tua connects with a leg kick. Fjera looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tua scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ohhhhh! A huge head kick from Tua ! Fjera is out on his feet! Tua rushes in and throws more strikes. The ref is looking closely - Fjera is covering up but the punishment is just too much and the ref steps in to stop the fight! Fjera is staring into space, just thankful that the beatdown has ended. Brutal finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). David Tua !
An out of breath David Tua thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.