NSA 5: War Zone PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dana Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wand Sapp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Black comes to the cage accompanied by Onward to Victory. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Black
vs
Sapp

170 cm
19
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

165 cm
23
145 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dana Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Wand Sapp!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sapp fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sapp gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Black counters with a straight right hand.
Black throws a series of punches but Sapp avoids them all with ease.
Sapp throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sapp shoots in but Black avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sapp with a lazy takedown attempt
and Black counters with a three punch combo that has Sapp backing up. Sapp nods at Black to acknowledge the strikes.
Dana Black has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wand Sapp.
Black defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sapp.
Sapp will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sapp tries for a takedown but Black sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wand Sapp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Black keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sapp dodges the punch combination from Black.
Black is breathing heavily.
No luck for Sapp with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapp misses with a left hand

and Black counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sapp.

Sapp manages to break the clinch.
Sapp tries for a takedown but Black circles away easily

and Black counters by clinching up.
Sapp blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sapp tries to score a body lock takedown but Black shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Black prevents a body shot from Sapp.
Sapp changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Black fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Some wild striking there from Black.
Sapp fails with the takedown
and Black counters with a left and a right that stings Sapp.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black stalks Sapp and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sapp's face. Sapp staggers backwards, shaken.
Black moves in looking to clinch but Sapp pushes him off.
Sapp looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Black is fending him off so far but Sapp persists. Nope, Black circles away and we're back to standing.
Black tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sapp shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Black cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Sapp manages to pull guard.

Sapp pushes a forearm under Black's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Black is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Wand Sapp!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
38%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Raith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Benson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Raith
vs
Benson

188 cm
22
175 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

178 cm
20
181 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Thomas Raith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jimmy Benson!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Benson has Raith up against the cage in a clinch.
Benson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Benson tries for a takedown but Raith manages to get underhooks.
Benson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Thomas Raith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Benson.
Benson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Raith pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Raith landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Benson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Raith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Benson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Raith wants a takedown.

Raith jumps guard and drags Benson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Raith working for a triangle but Benson defends it easily.
Raith being controlled here, momentarily.
Raith keeping moving, preventing Benson from controlling successfully.
Benson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Raith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two 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.
Raith trying to control the position.

Raith is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Benson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raith keeping moving, preventing Benson from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jimmy Benson was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Raith shoots and misses
and Benson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Benson instigates a clinch.
Benson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Raith fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Raith throws a chopping leg kick but Benson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Raith tries for a takedown but Benson circles away easily

and Benson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Benson controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benson winds up and cracks Raith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Benson not doing much here.
Raith trying to hold on to Benson's head to control him but Benson postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jimmy Benson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Raith chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Benson can pounce on him.
Raith with a lazy takedown attempt

and Benson counters by moving into the clinch.

Benson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Benson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Raith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Benson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Benson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Raith is looking to stand back up but Benson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Raith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raith is staying active underneath Benson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Well, if Benson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Benson wants to control but Raith is keeping him busy.
Nice strikes from Benson there.
Benson prevents Raith from improving his position.

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.
Benson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Raith wants to control but Benson is keeping busy.
Benson trying to control from half guard but Raith is working away.
Raith is trying to stand back up but Benson is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benson is trying to control. Raith wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Jimmy Benson has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Raith closes the distance looking to clinch

and Benson counters with a shoot takedown. Raith fights it but they end up in guard.
Benson content to stall in guard here.

Raith isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Benson stacks Raith on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Benson!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Benson wants to control but Raith is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Benson 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Raith tries to clinch up

and Benson moves into the clinch.
Raith is looking to break free of the clinch but Benson has double underhooks.
Raith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Benson looking for a takedown.
Raith tries for a takedown. No joy.
Benson tries for a takedown but Raith manages to get underhooks.
Benson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thomas Raith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Benson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Raith gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Benson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Raith trying to control but Benson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Thomas Raith wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Raith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Benson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Raith landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Benson wants a takedown.
Benson wants a takedown but no success here.

Raith ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Raith no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Benson content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Raith has locked up a guillotine! Raith's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Benson is holding on here and Raith must be using up a lot of energy. Benson has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Raith gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Thomas Raith!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
65%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Teddy Hartman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Don Knotts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hartman
vs
Knotts

192 cm
29
209 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

188 cm
21
220 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Dangerous GnP
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Teddy Hartman!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Don Knotts!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knotts throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Knotts scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hartman moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd cheers as Hartman lands an impressive looking overhand right. Knotts doesn't seem phased though.

It looks like Don Knotts has been cut.
Knotts throws a wild body kick that Hartman sees coming a mile off.
Knotts throws a head kick but Hartman moves out of range.
Hartman moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Hartman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Knotts circles away quickly and effectively.
Knotts throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Knotts, right into the meat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hartman lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hartman lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Knotts misses with a body kick.
Knotts throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Knotts punishes Hartman's body with a nice straight punch.
Knotts avoids the head kick by Hartman.
Knotts throws a shot from downtown. Hartman moves away and avoids it.
Knotts throws a head kick but Hartman moves out of range.
Knotts misses with a head kick.
Hartman blocks the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartman blocks the body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Knotts.
Knotts moves forwards but Hartman connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hartman fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Knotts looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Knotts looks gassed!
Knotts misses with a kick to the body
and Hartman counters with a straight right hand.

That has opened up Don Knotts's cut even more.

Hartman forces Knotts back against the cage and clinches.

Knotts's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hartman throws a series of punches but Knotts moves out of range.

Hartman lands a left and a right that send Knotts crashing to the mat, dazed. Hartman thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Knotts is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knotts throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Knotts is still on wobbly legs! Can Hartman finish him?
Hartman feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Knottss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

The cut above Don Knotts's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Hartman avoids the head kick by Knotts.
Hartman scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Knotts thows a leg kick but Hartman checks it
and Hartman counters with a series of strikes that practically lifts Knotts off his feet! He tumbles backwards, his head bouncing off the mat - Hartman follows up with more strikes before the ref can step in but Knotts was out before he hit the floor.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Teddy Hartman!
Teddy Hartman retains his light heavyweight title!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hovanes Avelyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rickson Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Avelyan comes to the cage accompanied by Take him outh.. Rua is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: drop the world. Hovanes Avelyan could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Rickson Rua's chin.

Avelyan
vs
Rua

180 cm
26
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
24
200 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

PEGASUS FIGHT WEAR $6 and Laundering 90%

Gilop®
[CBK] Smashwear Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hovanes Avelyan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rickson Rua!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Illya Tyunina and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Avelyan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Rickson Rua has been cut.
Rua throws a series of punches but Avelyan moves out of range.
Rua throws a combination that misses
and Rua takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Avelyan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rua throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Avelyan counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rua won't be happy with that.
Avelyan misses with the ground and pound.
Avelyan misses with the ground and pound.
Avelyan throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Avelyan landing a few strikes.
Avelyan grinds an elbow into Rua's temple.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Avelyan working the ground and pound from side control.

Rua is rocked!
Avelyan postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Avelyan throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Rua works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avelyan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rua defending well though.
Avelyan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Avelyan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Avelyan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Avelyan lands with a punch from half guard.
Avelyan trying to control from Rua's half guard. Rua has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Avelyan is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Avelyan drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rua dives on top into guard.
Rua tries to stand but Avelyan is controlling from the bottom.

Rua decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Avelyan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rua misses with a double jab
and Avelyan counters with a straight right hand.
Rickson Rua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rua misses with a double jab
letting Avelyan counter with a right hand.
Rua looks gassed!
Avelyan throws a jab but it's blocked by Rua.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua throws a left and a right that both miss

and Avelyan counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rua keeping full guard, as Avelyan tries to pass.
Avelyan connects with a couple of short punches.
Avelyan landing some decent shots from guard.
Avelyan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Avelyan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Avelyan throwing strikes but missing.
Avelyan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avelyan postures up and lands a big shot to Rua's brow.
Avelyan stands and throws Rua's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Avelyan is trying to ground and pound but Rua uses the momentary lack of control by Avelyan to regain half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Avelyan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Avelyan throwing shots but Rua is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hovanes Avelyan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rickson Rua'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.

Avelyan misses with a double jab.
Rua throws a left and a right that both miss

and Avelyan counters with a shoot takedown. Rua fights it but they end up in guard.
Avelyan slips nicely into half guard.
Hovanes Avelyan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Rua looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Avelyan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Avelyan connects with a nice short shot to Rua's temple.
Avelyan thows a huge punch but Rua dodges it nicely.
Avelyan not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avelyan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rua's head.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Avelyan throwing shots but Rua is blocking nicely.

Rua actively working from the bottom here.
Avelyan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Avelyan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rua taking some punishment here, with Avelyan in his half guard.
Nice strikes from Avelyan there.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Avelyan works his way into full mount!
Avelyan with shots to the head and body - Rua looks very uncomfortable down there.
Avelyan putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The referee warns Rua that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That has opened up Rickson Rua's cut even more.
Avelyan is landing with some decent strikes but Rua is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Rua is still in real trouble! Can Avelyan finish him?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Avelyan lands a big shot there that rocks Rua but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avelyan lands a big elbow - Rua is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Rua is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Hovanes Avelyan!
Hovanes Avelyan retains his middleweight title!