PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gothic Line (ranked 284 p4p, 901 weight class) and Naiki Nekele (ranked 45 p4p, 121 weight class). Naiki Nekele will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Line
vs
Nekele

194 cm
28
243
12 - 3 - 0

210 cm
37
275
33 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Offseason nutrition & LAUNDRY

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gothic Line!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Naiki Nekele!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Paulsen Ambrosius and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nekele missing with a left hand there. Line was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
An attempted straight right counter from Line misses the target.
Nekele throws a nice looking combination but Line bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice straight punches there by Nekele. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nekele.
Line uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nekele.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nekele. Line does a little dance to reset his feet.
An attempted straight right counter from Line misses the target.
Line throws a lazy head kick
and Nekele counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Line throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Line fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nekele on the side of the head.
Nekele lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A shot to the liver by Nekele. Beautiful body shot.
A cross from Line lands.
Nekele misses with a body shot
and Line counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nekele ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Line moves away.
Line looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Line throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nekele misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Line to counter with a crisp jab.
Nekele throws the left hand but Line avoids the punch easily.
Nekele closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nekele takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Line lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nekele at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Line sizes up Nekele with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Good leg kick by Line.
Nekele throws a wild body kick that Line sees coming a mile off.
Line works over Nekele's head and body with a nice combination.
Nekele looks to land a right hand but Line moved out of range.
Naiki Nekele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice body punch from Line.

Line lands a head kick that stumbles Nekele and the fighters go to the mat.

Nekele is rocked!

It looks like Naiki Nekele has been cut.
Nekele looks winded!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Line throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nekele works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Line 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.
Nekele being controlled here, momentarily.
Nekele preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Line stopping the sweep attempt from Nekele.
Nekele trying to control the position here.
Line trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nekele wants to sweep here but Line controlling him for the moment.
Nekele has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Line has passed into side control.
Nekele is trying to get back to half guard.
Nekele is still trying to improve position.
Nekele being controlled for a moment.
Line tries to score with some ground and pound. Nekele controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Nekele trying to remain calm as Line controls from the top position.
Nekele can't do much from the bottom here.
Line controls the position from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Line creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Nekele sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Line throws a strike aimed at the side of Nekele's head but Nekele avoids it well.
Nekele is trying to work for a sweep but Line has mounted him!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Line avoids the attempt from Nekele to control.
Line wants to control the pace but Nekele is squirming around nicely.
Nekele tries to hold on but Line postures up.
Line throws some wild stikes that Nekele manages to avoid easily.
Line has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Nekele's face.
Line can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nekele is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Line is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Nekele can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Nekele keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Line throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Nekele because Line loaded up on that one.
Nekele is squirming around, avoiding Line's attempts to control the action.
Nekele tries to lock up and control but Line gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Nekele holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Line tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Line wants to control the pace but Nekele is squirming around nicely.
Line looking to ground and pound but Nekele is blocking nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gothic Line dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Naiki Nekele's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Line scores with a hook.
Nekele scores with a decent looking hook.
Nekele digs a good body shot into Line's ribs.
Nekele misses with a body shot.
Nekele has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Nekele throws a predictable looking body shot
and Line counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Line scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nekele in his tracks.
Nekele misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Line.
Nekele punishes Line's body with a nice straight punch.
Nekele moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Line just misses with a punch to the body.
Line scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A lazy left from Line finds it's target.
Nekele throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Line misses with a hook.
Nekele throws a looping overhand right but Line ducks down to avoid it.
Line keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nekele.
Nekele just misses with a punch to the body.
Nekele tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Line was well out of range. Poor timing from Nekele.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nekele smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nekele jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Line is looking to counter punch.
Line blocks a jab.
Line lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nekele at a distance.
Line lands a jab to Nekele's midsection.
Line lands a right hook to the body.
Gothic Line is winning the standup battle so far.
Nekele is breathing heavily.
Line ducks under a wild hook from Nekele.
Nekele throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Line cracks Nekele with an open hand slap.
Line misses with a jab, cross combination.
Line scores with a punch to the head.
Nekele takes one to the chin there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Line thuds a left hand into Nekele's body.
Nekele ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Line moves away.
Nekele misses with a hook to the body
and Line counters with a leg kick.
Line throws a head kick but Nekele moves out of range.
Nekele gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nekele takes a swing at Line's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Line swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nekele.
Nekele steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Line.

Line throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Nekele tumbling to the canvas!
Nekele is still in real trouble! Can Line finish him?
Line postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nekele seems to have recovered his senses.
Nekele utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Line advances to half guard.
Nekele is refusing to be controlled, as Line sits in half guard.
Nekele is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nekele slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Line showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nekele looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nekele is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Line might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Line engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Line forces his way into half guard.
Line is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nekele can do to turn this around?
Line throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Line is thwarting Nekele's attempts to control the position.
Line trying to pass the guard but Nekele defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nekele is trying to get back to full guard.
Line performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Line's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Line throwing shots but Nekele is blocking nicely.
Line missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nekele tries to get to full guard but Line has control of the leg.
Nekele is refusing to be controlled, as Line sits in half guard.
Nekele is trying to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gothic Line dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Naiki Nekele's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Nekele swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A shot to the body from Nekele misses
and Line counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Line lands a jab.
Nekele misses the jab.
Nekele moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Line looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nekele takes a swing at Line's ribcage but misses.
Line jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nekele tries to bum rush Line with a series of wild strikes but Line uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Line here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Nekele throws a hook but Line avoids it easily.
Nekele moves out of range of the strikes.
Nekele on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The fighters circling - Nekele throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nekele throws a body punch but Line moves out of range.
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!
Nekele fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Line manages to avoid it.
A combination from Nekele does no damage.
Nekele takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Line lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Line avoids the body shot from Nekele.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Nekele lands an impressive looking overhand right. Line doesn't seem phased though.
Line lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Line missing with a left hand there. Nekele was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Line scores with a decent looking hook.
Nekele has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Line throws a looping overhand right but Nekele ducks down to avoid it.
Nekele takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Line fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Line misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Line lands with a straight right. Nekele didn't see that one coming.
Line stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nekele punishes Line's body with a nice straight punch.
Line cracks Nekele with an open hand slap.
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!
Line with a nice calf kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Line.
Line avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Line changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nekele clobbers Line with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Gothic Line is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Line misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nekele.
Line ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nekele moves away.
Line digs a good hook to Nekele's body.
Nekele lands a nice shot that snaps Line's head back.
Line scores with a head kick. Nekele tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Line slips under a jab.
Nekele is looking to slow Line down with leg kicks.
Nekele moves out of range of the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nekele. Line does a little dance to reset his feet.
Line takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nekele throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Line counters with a nice uppercut.
Line connects with a right hand. Nekele shakes it off.
Line walks into a left hand.
Nekele on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Line bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nekele's head.

Line moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Line tries to work over Nekele's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nekele fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nekele scores with a shot to the side of Line's head.
Line doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Line fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nekele working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nekele is trying to push Line away but Line has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A nice left hand lands by Line.

Line escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nekele throws a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nekele uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Line.
Sloppy strikes from Line. Those never looked like landing.
Nekele tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Line was well out of range. Poor timing from Nekele.
Line lands with an uppercut that bounces Nekele off the cage and back into range.
Line scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nekele tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Line was well out of range. Poor timing from Nekele.
Line misses with a looping left.
Nekele slips under a jab.
Line drops his hands momentarily and Nekele takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Line avoids the body shot from Nekele.
Nekele takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Line, as that shot connected.
Nekele throws a jab when Line was well out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Line works the jab nicely.
Line throws a shot from downtown. Nekele moves away and avoids it.
Naiki Nekele has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nekele takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nekele throws a jab when Line was well out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gothic Line showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Line 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gothic Line!
After winning the bout, Gothic Line thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.