PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nomor Gai (ranked 1250 p4p, 147 weight class) and John Brown (ranked 1582 p4p, 187 weight class). Gai comes to the cage accompanied by Alice Cooper No More Mr. Nice Guy. Brown has chosen Somebody Gonna Get It as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gai
vs
Brown

182 cm
39
166 lbs
21 - 8 - 0

180 cm
40
166 lbs
31 - 37 - 3

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nomor Gai!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 37 - 3, fighting out of Hilo, John Brown!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Jonathan Paton and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gai cracks the inside of Brown's front leg.
Gai is looking to score with low kicks.
Brown looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Brown's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Brown duly obliges.
Brown lands with a kick to the temple. Gai shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Nomor Gai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gai misses with a looping right.
Gai throws a leg kick but Brown moved away.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Brown checks a leg kick.
Gai scores with a jab to the jaw.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gai.
Gai jabs Brown right on the nose. Brown blinks but takes it well.
Gai lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brown swinging wildly here.
Gai throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Brown counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gai connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Brown keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Brown! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown throws a leg kick
and Gai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Brown shoots in for a double leg but Gai sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gai throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gai bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Gai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Brown was well out of range. Poor timing from Gai.
Gai throws a right hand that misses
and Gai takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gai misses with a straight left.
Gai cracks Brown with an open hand slap.
Brown tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gai lands a head kick. Brown smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like John Brown has been cut.
Gai with a nice cross.
Gai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Brown circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gai throws the left hand but Brown avoids the punch easily.
Brown is looking for the big counter here.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Brown has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Gai throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brown misses with a body kick.
Gai tries to land a leg kick but Brown saw it coming and moves away.
Brown pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Gai back to the cage. Brown follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Brown blocks a head kick by Gai.
Brown checks a low kick from Gai.
Gai backing away here, and Brown unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Brown shoots in but Gai avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Brown closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Brown seems to be working for a kimura but Gai defends the submission attempt.
Brown trying to advance position but Gai counters by regaining guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown is stalling in the full guard.
Brown trying to control but Gai is working from the bottom.
Brown looking to pass the guard.
Brown trying to control the position from guard on top but Gai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four 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.
Brown is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Brown stays in close to Gai's body and controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Brown getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gai walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Brown checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Gai throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gai swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Gai throws a low kick but Brown avoids it.
Gai misses with an uppercut.
Brown is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Gai bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Brown gets a takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nomor Gai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Brown's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A combination from Brown does no damage.
A low kick from Brown is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Gai throws a series of strikes that have Brown backpedaling.
Brown ducks under a wild hook from Gai.
Brown throws a counter combo.
Gai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Brown let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Gai looks to land a left hand but Brown moved out of range nicely.
Brown moves out of range of the strikes.

Brown drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Brown stands and throws Gai's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Brown is trying to get an arm triangle but Gai is defending well.
Brown wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gai keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brown working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gai is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Brown's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gai is refusing to be controlled, as Brown sits in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gai has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Brown is working away from the top position though.

Brown is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Brown is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gai is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Brown is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gai has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brown is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Brown is working for a submission of some sort.

Brown wants to work for an arm triangle but Gai is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Brown stalling away here and it's allowed Gai to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Brown is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gai is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gai has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brown tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gai being controlled here momentarily.
Gai content to stall in guard here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Brown pulls Gai in close to his closed guard and prevents Gai from doing any damage or advancing position.
Gai postures up.
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 Nomor Gai will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on John Brown's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gai with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gai cracks Brown with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gai scores with a kick to the midsection.
Gai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Gai misses with a looping left.
Brown throws a sloppy head kick and Gai moves out of range easily.
A slow jab from Gai misses its intended target.
Brown misses with a body shot.
Brown moves out of range as Gai strikes.
Brown lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Brown throws a head kick but Gai moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gai has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Gai looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
An inside leg kick lands from Gai.

Brown closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Brown tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Brown wants to control but Gai is keeping him busy.
Gai is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Brown tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

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.
Gai prevents Brown from moving into mount.
Brown passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Gai!
Brown tries to push Gai's head away but Gai is holding on tight.

Brown is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Gai has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Gai!
Gai being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gai preventing the sweep.
Brown controls Gai momentarily but Gai frees himself.
Gai is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Brown is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Brown controlling the position.
Brown working a defensive guard here.

That's four 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Brown is on top in guard.

Brown looking to pass the guard.
Brown stands and throws Gai's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gai is looking for a sweep.

Brown wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gai, who protects the arm well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Brown trying to control the position but Gai is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but John Brown just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on John Brown's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gai with a hook.
Gai chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gai throws the left hand but Brown avoids the punch easily.
Gai sets himself, and Brown steps forward looking for the clinch! Gai avoids it this time.
Gai looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Brown's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gai jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Gai jabs Brown to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Gai throws a hook but Brown avoids it easily.
Gai wants to slow Brown down by chopping away at his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brown checks a leg kick.
Brown scores with a head kick. Gai tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Nice defenses there by Brown.
Brown throws a fast counter high kick but Gai manages to duck under it in time.
Brown throws a sloppy head kick and Gai moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Brown does no damage.
Gai fires out a quick counter leg kick but Brown just manages to avoid it.
Gai bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Brown's head backwards.
Brown tries a head kick but it misses.
Gai lands the left hand.
Brown misses with a jab, cross combination.
Brown misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gai takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gai dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Brown. That did some damage!
Gai throws a body shot but no joy.
Brown looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Brown stalks Gai and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gai's face. Gai staggers backwards, shaken.
Brown avoids the body shot from Gai.
Gai is looking to slow Brown down with leg kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gai throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gai throws a body kick that misses.
Gai misses with a looping right.
Brown uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gai.
Gai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Brown moves out of range as Gai throws a body kick.
Gai pushes Brown away with a front kick.
Brown misses with a wild body shot.
Gai throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gai leaves Brown with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Brown is looking for the big counter here.

Brown shoots in and gets a takedown into Gai's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown looking to pass the guard.
Brown is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gai managing to control the position.
Brown pushing down on Gai's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Brown is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Brown is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gai has managed to free his arm - good work.

Brown seems to be working for a kimura but Gai defends the submission attempt.
Brown is looking to advance position but Gai won't allow it.

Brown wants to work for an arm triangle but Gai is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nomor Gai had his way with John Brown in that round.
The cut man is working on John Brown's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Brown throws a sloppy head kick and Gai moves out of range easily.
Gai throws a sloppy head kick and Brown moves out of range easily.
Gai misses with an uppercut. Brown saw that one coming.
Brown throws a counter combo.
Gai pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nomor Gai is winning the standup battle so far.
Gai displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Brown.

Brown shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Brown trying to control the position from guard on top but Gai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brown works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Brown is working for a submission of some sort.

Brown is looking for submissions but instead, Gai has regained full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown trying to control the position from guard on top but Gai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gai is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
John Brown has got the better of the ground game so far.
Brown trying to control but Gai is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gai being controlled here, momentarily.
Brown slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Brown tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Brown has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Brown controlling the position.
Gai is trying to control Brown's posture but Brown avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brown looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Gai is not content to let Brown control the position.

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

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.
Brown wants to control for a moment but Gai uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Brown trying to pass the guard but Gai defending well.
John Brown has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brown is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Brown fails with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Brown comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gai 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 48:47
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nomor Gai!
Nomor Gai retains his lightweight title!
An out of breath Nomor Gai thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.