PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rammaru Nokkau (ranked 1628 p4p, 1620 weight class) and Musan Zaintashara (ranked 212 p4p, 210 weight class). Zaintashara has chosen The Art of War as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nokkau
vs
Zaintashara

190 cm
19
190
3 - 1 - 0

188 cm
19
185
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Heavy handed

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 New York, Rammaru Nokkau!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Musan Zaintashara!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Eddie Farnsworth and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Nokkau misses.
Nokkau misses with a few strikes there.
Zaintashara wants to counter the offense by Nokkau and move into the clinch position.
Zaintashara connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nokkau's hands.

It looks like Rammaru Nokkau has been cut.
Nokkau finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Zaintashara tries to counter with a clinch but Nokkau shakes him off and moves away.
Rammaru Nokkau seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zaintashara digs a good body shot into Nokkau's ribs.
We've been told by Nokkau's head coaches at Dark Horse MMA (HBE) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Zaintashara avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zaintashara tries to counter with a clinch but Nokkau shakes him off and moves away.
Nokkau throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Zaintashara counters with a straight right hand.
Zaintashara showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nokkau.
Zaintashara has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Nokkau is landing a low percentage of strikes.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Zaintashara.
Nokkau looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nokkau throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Zaintashara holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nokkau's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nokkau swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaintashara lands a shot to the body.
Zaintashara lands a left hand.
Nokkau trying to land knees to the body.
Nokkau tries to land knees in the clinch but Zaintashara avoids the damage to the body.
Nokkau misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zaintashara.
Nokkau tries to work over Zaintashara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Zaintashara.

Nokkau is rocked!
Zaintashara lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nokkau backwards.
Oh Nokkau is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nokkau throws a head punch that misses.
Zaintashara working aggressively here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Zaintashara.
Nokkau misses with a punch on the inside.
Zaintashara throws a head punch that misses.

Zaintashara pulls guard.
Zaintashara is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Zaintashara is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaintashara is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Nokkau is defending against the submission attempts here by Zaintashara.

Zaintashara is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nokkau is just riding it out for now. Zaintashara eventually gives up the hold.

Nokkau is defending against the submission attempts here by Zaintashara.
Zaintashara has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Nokkau seems to have got his legs back now.
Nokkau is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaintashara working for a submission but Nokkau is keeping him at bay.
Zaintashara takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Zaintashara looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Nokkau tries to hold on but Zaintashara pushes him away.

Zaintashara working for a guillotine from mount but Nokkau is in no mood to give up.

Zaintashara looking for a guillotine from mount but Nokkau is having none of it.
Nokkau is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nokkau prevents any damage by holding on tight.
Nokkau wants to control but Zaintashara is having none of it.

Zaintashara is working for a guillotine from mount but Nokkau frees his head quite easily.
Nokkau is looking to improve his position but Zaintashara isn't that keen on the idea.
Zaintashara trying to control but Nokkau is having none of it.
Nokkau tries to lock up and control but Zaintashara gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zaintashara throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Nokkau has his hands clasped together but Zaintashara breaks the hold and Nokkau is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Zaintashara!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Musan Zaintashara!
Musan Zaintashara is the new middleweight champion!
An out of breath Musan Zaintashara thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.