PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Calixto Cardona (ranked 483 p4p, 639 weight class) and Pablo Noriega (ranked 51 p4p, 67 weight class). Noriega has chosen MS-13 Mara Salvatrucha as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cardona
vs
Noriega

170 cm
32
149
22 - 14 - 0

181 cm
39
148
25 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 22 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Calixto Cardona!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pablo Noriega!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Kenichi Hosakawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cardona misses with a looping left.
Cardona jabs at Noriega's body.
Cardona tries to clinch up but Noriega circles away and keeps his distance.
Cardona throws a jab but it's blocked by Noriega.
Noriega on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Cardona throws an overhand right that lands on Noriega's shoulder, as Noriega tries to avoid the shot.
Cardona doesn't manage to clinch there - Noriega circles away.
Cardona pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Calixto Cardona seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Noriega misses with a leg kick.
Noriega lands a leg kick that knocks Cardona off balance momentarily.
Noriega tried to score with a low kick but Cardona checks it.
A big right from Cardona misses.
Noriega with a nice calf kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cardona misses with a hook.
Cardona throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cardona takes a kick to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cardona pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Noriega thuds his right hand into Cardona's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Cardona misses with a looping left.
Nice uppercut there from Noriega.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Cardona.
Cardona throws an overhand right that lands on Noriega's shoulder, as Noriega tries to avoid the shot.
Noriega let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Noriega scores with a sloppy right hand. Cardona should have avoided that one.
Noriega misses the shot to the body.
Cardona swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Noriega avoids the head kick by Cardona.
Noriega is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cardona doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Noriega missing with knees to the body.
Cardona tries a body shot but Noriega blocks it.
Noriega blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Noriega.
Noriega misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cardona tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cardona lands a shoulder strike.
Noriega throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Noriega misses with a body punch.
Cardona lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Noriega backwards.
Noriega presses Cardona against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short right from Cardona on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Noriega blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noriega has a couple of punches blocked by Cardona.
Noriega tries to throw a body punch but Cardona avoids it by throwing Noriega back against the cage.
Noriega throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cardona blocks it with crossed arms.
Cardona misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cardona scores with a shot to the side of Noriega's head.
A short uppercut from Noriega.
Noriega prevents a body shot from Cardona.
Cardona misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right handed body shot lands from Noriega.
Cardona lands on the inside with an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Noriega creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Noriega working aggressively here.
Noriega misses with the head strike.
Cardona lands a hook that snaps the head of Noriega backwards.
Noriega makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Cardona as the two fighters clinch.
A short uppercut from Noriega.
Cardona pushes Noriega back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Cardona fails to land.
Cardona avoiding damage as Noriega throws knees to the body.
Noriega misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardona swings wildly with an uppercut but Noriega uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cardona blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cardona lands an uppercut.
Cardona throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Noriegas head.
Noriega trying to land knees to the body.
Cardona gets through Noriega's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A knee to the head by Noriega.
Noriega blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Noriega pushes Cardona back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cardona scores with a hook to the body.
Noriega blocks an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Cardona.
Noriega misses with the head strike.
Cardona managing to block the knees to the body from Noriega.
Cardona is leaning against Noriega and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Noriega goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cardona tries a body shot but Noriega blocks it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice body punch from Cardona - that landed with a thud.
Noriega looks winded!
Noriega tries to work over Cardona's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Noriega misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardona goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cardona makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Noriega misses with a body punch.
Noriega lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cardona backwards.
Noriega blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Noriega lands with a light punch inside.
Noriega tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cardona avoids it.
Cardona goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cardona lands a hook that snaps the head of Noriega backwards.
Noriega scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cardona throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Cardona scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Cardona's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Noriega lands with an overhand left.
Cardona swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cardona throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cardona looks to score with a jab to the body but Noriega is just out of range.
Noriega counters with a body kick.
Noriega throws a body kick that misses.
It appears Cardona was looking to counter with a kick there.
Noriega is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Cardona fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Noriega moves out of range as Cardona strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Calixto Cardona will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cardona keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cardona uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cardona ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cardona is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Noriega's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Noriega takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Cardona uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Noriega.
Cardona throws the left hand but Noriega avoids the punch easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Cardona.
Cardona is looking to slow Noriega down with leg kicks.
Cardona connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Left hook, right uppercut from Cardona.
Cardona lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sloppy strikes from Cardona. Those never looked like landing.
Noriega follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Cardona tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Noriega was well out of range. Poor timing from Cardona.
Noriega works Cardona's body with a nice hook.
Good work by Cardona as he checks the leg kick.
Noriega delivers a nice body kick.
Noriega takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cardona.
Cardona is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Noriega can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noriega looks for the body kick but Cardona saw that one coming.
Calixto Cardona is winning the standup battle so far.
Cardona throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Noriega blocks a leg kick.

Noriega gets tackled into the cage by Cardona. Cardona maintains the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cardona.
Noriega scores with a hook to the body.
Cardona scores with a shoulder strike.

Cardona's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cardona dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Noriega. That did some damage!
Noriega dodges the punch combination from Cardona.
Cardona uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Noriega.
Cardona looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Noriega tries to land a front kick but Cardona steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cardona fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cardona misses with a straight right.
Cardona misses with an uppercut.
Cardona takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardona jabs Noriega right on the nose. Noriega blinks but takes it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cardona throws a jab when Noriega was well out of range.
Noriega connects with an inside leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cardona.
Noriega is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cardona rather than just go for the knockout.
Cardona throws a nice outside leg kick.
Noriega moves out of range of the body kick from Cardona.
Cardona tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Noriega was well out of range. Poor timing from Cardona.
Noriega blocks a jab.
Cardona connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Noriega momentarily.
Noriega throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A head kick misses from Cardona.
Cardona ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Noriega moves away.
Noriega takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Noriega dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cardona. That did some damage!
Cardona fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Noriega checks it well.
Cardona takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Cardona on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Cardona.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Noriega in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Noriega throws a body punch but Cardona moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Noriega.
Cardona misses with an uppercut.
Cardona moves out of range of the body kick from Noriega.
Noriega has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nice straight punches there by Cardona. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cardona.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cardona has a couple of punches blocked by Noriega.
Noriega blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Noriega pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cardona ducks under a wild hook from Noriega.
Some bone on bone action there as Noriega checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Noriega misses with a straight left.
Cardona throws a body kick, spinning off balance
letting Noriega counter with a right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Cardona misses the target.
Noriega follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Cardona is looking to clinch but Noriega is avoiding it.
A cross from Cardona lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardona misses with a few strikes there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cardona lands a slapping body shot.
Cardona is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Cardona throws a hook but Noriega blocks it.
Noriega swings and misses with a hook to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Cardona misses the target.
Noriega ducks under a wild hook from Cardona.
Cardona slips a jab from Noriega.
Cardona throws the left hand but Noriega avoids the punch easily.
Cardona plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Noriega throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cardona misses with a low kick.
Noriega is trying to counter with his kicks.
Cardona takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Cardona throws a quick inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cardona throws a hook but Noriega avoids it easily.
Cardona turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Noriega scoring well with a low kick there.
Cardona looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Calixto Cardona dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Noriega slips a jab from Cardona.
Noriega throws a quick inside leg kick.
Noriega walks into a left hand.
Noriega throws a lazy right hand but Cardona sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Noriega circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cardona lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cardona looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Noriega looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cardona. Noriega does a little dance to reset his feet.
Good shot there by Noriega.
Noriega connects with a right hand. Cardona shakes it off.
Cardona has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Noriega.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Cardona misses.
Cardona throws a body shot but no joy.
Cardona scores with a kick to the midsection.
The fighters circling - Cardona throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Noriega moves out of range of the body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Noriega connects with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Cardona misses.
Noriega takes a kick to the side of the head.
Cardona throws a front kick aimed at Noriega's knee but Noriega avoids it well.
Noriega looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Noriega tries to land a leg kick but Cardona saw it coming and moves away.
Noriega throws out a leg kick but Cardona moves out of range and Noriega only half commits.
Cardona throws a quick counter kick to the body but Noriega avoids it.
Cardona lands with a nice body kick.
Cardona lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Noriega has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Cardona throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Noriega stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cardona swings for the body but Noriega moves out of range.

Cardona clinches with his opponent.
Noriega prevents a body shot from Cardona.
Cardona throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Noriegas head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cardona.
Cardona goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cardona tries to work over Noriega's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Noriega lands a right hand.
Cardona softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Pablo Noriega has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Noriega misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Noriega breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cardona throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Noriega circles away from the clinch attempt.
Noriega uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cardona.
Cardona backing away here, and Noriega unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Noriega uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cardona.
Cardona slips a straight right by Noriega.
Noriega attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Noriega walks into a straight right hand from Cardona.
Noriega ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Noriega walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cardona checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Cardona is looking to clinch.
And Noriega responds with a good body kick, but Cardona manages to step out the way in time.
Cardona looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cardona lands with a right hand.
Cardona misses with a body shot.
Noriega blocks a head kick by Cardona.
Cardona throws a hook but Noriega blocks it.
Calixto Cardona is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Noriega misses.
Noriega's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cardona connects with a body shot.
Noriega throws a jab when Cardona was well out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Cardona.
Noriega motions for Cardona to come forward. Noriega throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cardona throws a half hearted mid kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Noriega checks a leg kick.
Noriega throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Noriega throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cardona takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Cardona misses with a straight right.
Noriega throws a solid leg kick but Cardona takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Noriega.
Noriega keeps the fight on the outside.
Noriega waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cardona.
Noriega misses with a body shot.
Noriega drops his hands momentarily and Cardona takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Cardona with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cardona has managed to clinch.
Cardona works on Noriega's body with a couple of short punches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Noriega misses with a hook from the clinch.
Noriega misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cardona misses with a punch on the inside.
Cardona misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cardona blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Noriega missing with knees to the body.
Cardona misses with a short punch on the inside.
Noriega misses with a punch to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Cardona.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cardona.
Cardona tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Noriega's elbow.
Noriega lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cardona backwards.
Noriega pushes Cardona back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cardona lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Calixto Cardona showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cardona has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Calixto Cardona!
Calixto Cardona decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Pablo Noriega spoke after the fight, saying 'Don’t Worry Im Gonna Put A Hit On Him Ese'.