PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Khwezi Gonya (ranked 7315 p4p, 557 weight class) and Haka Tonga (ranked 7174 p4p, 548 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gonya
vs
Tonga

181 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
177 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Bee Krazy

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Khwezi Gonya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Haka Tonga!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Wagner Zegers and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Gonya misses

and Tonga counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Gonya is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Tonga is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Gonya is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tonga trying to control but Gonya is working from the bottom.
Tonga sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gonya's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tonga controlling the pace.
Gonya makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gonya.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tonga trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tonga trying to control the position from guard on top but Gonya is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gonya wants to hit a switch here but Tonga passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Gonya there!
Tonga looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Gonya is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Tonga wants to control the pace but Gonya is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tonga goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Gonya is on top in guard.

Gonya stands up and waves to Tonga to follow him.
Gonya misses with a double jab.
Tonga showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gonya.

Tonga drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Gonya definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tonga is looking to take a break and control but Gonya is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tonga is trying to get an arm triangle but Gonya is defending well.
Tonga trying to control the position but Gonya is working away.
Tonga lands some shots froms side control.
Tonga lands a few punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tonga working the head and body with strikes.
Tonga trying to control the action but Gonya is working from the bottom.
Gonya wants to control but Tonga postures up.
Gonya prevents Tonga from improving position.
Tonga controls the position from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tonga in side control lands a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haka Tonga dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gonya moves in looking to clinch but Tonga pushes him off.
And Tonga tries to counter it with a takedown but Gonya pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gonya tries for a takedown but Tonga circles away easily
and Tonga counters with a three punch combo that has Gonya backing up. Gonya nods at Tonga to acknowledge the strikes.
Tonga throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Tonga drives through with a takedown into Gonya's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Gonya can't keep his opponent in guard - Tonga advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tonga keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tonga missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Gonya looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tonga is looking to take a break and control but Gonya is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tonga has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gonya tries to get to full guard but Tonga has control of the leg.
Haka Tonga has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Tonga is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gonya defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Tonga is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gonya doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tonga.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gonya manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tonga wants to control from the top but Gonya keeps moving.

Gonya looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gonya had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tonga defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tonga throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gonya works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Gonya gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tonga trying to control the position from guard on top but Gonya is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tonga tries to free his leg and advance position but Gonya is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tonga trying to control but Gonya is working from the bottom.
Tonga wants to pass the guard but Gonya is keeping the position.

Gonya is looking for a triangle but Tonga pushes his legs off easily.
Tonga trying to control the position from guard on top but Gonya is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gonya trying to keep a closed guard but Tonga is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haka Tonga showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tonga throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tonga throws a right and a left that Gonya avoids nicely.
Tonga swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gonya tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tonga defends well and Gonya ends up having to push Tonga into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Tonga fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gonya to the ground. Tonga is now in Gonya's guard.

Tonga has gone for a leg lock! Gonya slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tonga's guard.

Tonga tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tonga takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonya trying to control but Tonga is working from the bottom.
Gonya sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Tonga's guard.
Tonga tries to get to full guard but Gonya has control of the leg.
Tonga is pressing down on Gonya's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tonga wants to stand and escape but Gonya is having none of it.
Tonga not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tonga is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Gonya dives into side control.

Gonya decides to stand up, so the ref orders Tonga to his feet.
Gonya scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tonga moves out of range of the body kick.
Gonya throws a head kick that misses.
Tonga unleashes a big counter combination but Gonya bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Gonya lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gonya.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tonga is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gonya's half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Tonga is just content to waste time from the top position. Gonya takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Gonya preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tonga wants to control from the top but Gonya keeps moving.
Gonya wants to sweep here but Tonga controlling him for the moment.
Tonga trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Khwezi Gonya has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gonya looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tonga works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Tonga working over Gonya with some ground and pound. Gonya looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gonya is staying active underneath Tonga, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Tonga decides to stand up.

Gonya gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tonga to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gonya looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Haka Tonga.
Well Tonga 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haka Tonga!
A relieved looking Haka Tonga thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.