PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hideo Kenta (ranked 6570 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christian Neffgen (ranked 5061 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenta comes into the arena with ISIS blaring out of the sound system. Christian Neffgen has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kenta
vs
Neffgen

179 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
200 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hideo Kenta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Christian Neffgen!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Sandra Marshall and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Neffgen has Kenta up against the cage in a clinch.
Kenta working hard to break the clinch.

Neffgen jumps guard.
Kenta postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kenta preventing the sweep.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Neffgen can do anything to dispel that myth.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kenta accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've been hearing that Kenta has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Neffgen keeping moving, preventing Kenta from controlling successfully.
Kenta stays in close to Neffgen's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neffgen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kenta is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kenta throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And Neffgen tries to counter it with a takedown but Kenta pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Neffgen blocks a head kick by Kenta.
Kenta has a takedown stuffed.
Neffgen has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Kenta is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Kenta showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Neffgen.
Kenta tries to counter by clinching up but Neffgen breaks away and moves out of range.
Kenta tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Neffgen swivels and escapes.
Kenta shoots in for a double leg but Neffgen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hideo Kenta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kenta throws a nice looking combination but Neffgen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kenta blocks a head kick by Neffgen.
Christian Neffgen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Neffgen throws a right hand that Kenta ducks under and follows up with a left that Kenta also avoids with ease.

Neffgen gets a clinch.
Kenta could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Neffgen breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neffgen feints a jab promting Kenta to slip. Neffgen then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kenta slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Neffgen clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kenta is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Neffgen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kenta postures up.
Neffgen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kenta. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kenta wants to get up but he can't break Neffgen's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kenta throws a big elbow that misses.
Kenta trying to control the position from guard on top but Neffgen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kenta trying to stand up but can't free himself from Neffgen's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenta preventing the sweep.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kenta tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Neffgen defends well and Kenta ends up having to push Neffgen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Neffgen lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kenta is breathing heavily.

Neffgen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kenta, pushing him back against the cage.
Kenta misses with a knee to the head.
Kenta is trying to break the clinch but Neffgen has him pressed against the cage.
Nice elbow from Neffgen.
Neffgen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kenta's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neffgen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kenta blocks it with crossed arms.

Neffgen breaks from the clinch.
Neffgen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Neffgen looks to land a combination but Kenta avoids it well.
As Neffgen looks to move away, Kenta throws a big counter combo but Neffgen just gets out of the way.
Kenta looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Neffgen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Neffgen wants it to stay on the feet.

Neffgen pushes Kenta up against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Neffgen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Neffgen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kenta trying to control but Neffgen is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kenta is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kenta postures up and lands a big shot to Neffgen's brow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Neffgen dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Neffgen scores with a head kick. Kenta tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Neffgen moves into range and clinches up with Kenta.
Good body shot from Neffgen.
Neffgen scores with a hook to the body.
Kenta changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Neffgen fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Neffgen clinches up against the cage.
Kenta goes for a takedown attempt but Neffgen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Neffgen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Neffgen clinches.

Neffgen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Neffgen forces Kenta back against the cage and clinches.
Neffgen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenta is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kenta wants to break free but Neffgen has control.

Neffgen decides to pull guard.
Kenta won't allow Neffgen to sweep him here.
Neffgen has a closed guard, preventing Kenta from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kenta controlling from the top position.
Kenta might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

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.
Kenta postures up in Neffgen's guard and throws a big left but Neffgen blocks it.
Kenta slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kenta trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neffgen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kenta's head.
Kenta is trying hard to land a takedown here. Neffgen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hideo Kenta. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Neffgen rushes Kenta and presses him up against the cage.
Neffgen lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Hideo Kenta has been cut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kenta jumps guard but Neffgen stands there with Kenta around his waist. Kenta gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Neffgen jumps into guard, dragging Kenta to the mat.
Neffgen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Neffgen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kenta is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kenta trying to control but Neffgen is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kenta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Neffgen controls Kenta momentarily but Kenta frees himself.
Kenta distracts Neffgen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Neffgen has momentary wrist control but Kenta slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Neffgen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kenta tries to clinch up but Neffgen circles away and keeps his distance.

Neffgen has taken the fight to the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Neffgen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hideo Kenta's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kenta takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kenta tries to clinch up.
Neffgen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kenta.
Neffgen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Neffgen looks to land a combination. Kenta sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kenta closes this distance looking for a takedown but Neffgen circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Neffgen!
No joy there for Kenta, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Neffgen tries a head kick but it misses.

Neffgen closes the distance and pushes Kenta back into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Neffgen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Neffgen looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neffgen keeping moving, preventing Kenta from controlling successfully.
Kenta with a nice head shot there.
Kenta sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kenta wants to control from the top but Neffgen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Neffgen moves into the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Neffgen.

Neffgen breaks the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kenta.
Neffgen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kenta shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Neffgen as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hideo Kenta. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Neffgen rushes Kenta and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Neffgen.

Neffgen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Neffgen drives through and clinches with Kenta against the cage.

Neffgen jumps guard.
Kenta has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Neffgen keeping moving, preventing Kenta from controlling successfully.
Neffgen looking for a sweep. Not yet Neffgen, not yet.
Kenta throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Christian Neffgen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Neffgen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kenta throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Neffgen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kenta controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Neffgen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Neffgen clinches.

Neffgen pulls guard effortlessly.
Kenta wants to stand but Neffgen is controlling his posture from full guard.
Kenta throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Neffgen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christian Neffgen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Neffgen 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30

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