PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Niamajla Gnilrets (ranked 24115 p4p, 4154 weight class) and Shinko Naragami (ranked 511 p4p, 388 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gnilrets
vs
Naragami

170 cm
25
135
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
24
147
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Niamajla Gnilrets!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinko Naragami!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Jonathan Paton and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Naragami jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Naragami gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gnilrets throws an elbow but it misses.
Naragami wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A frustrated look appears on Naragami's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gnilrets is pushing Naragami up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow strike.
Gnilrets lands an elbow just above Naragami 's eye.
Naragami blocks an elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naragami dodges an elbow strike from Gnilrets.
Gnilrets lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Gnilrets manages to break the clinch.

Gnilrets closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Naragami avoids a wild elbow strike from Gnilrets.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gnilrets lands a body shot in the clinch.
Naragami avoids a wild elbow strike from Gnilrets.
Naragami is trying to break the clinch but Gnilrets is controlling him.
Gnilrets looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gnilrets pushes off an throws an elbow but Naragami leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Naragami letting Gnilrets take a breather here.
Gnilrets pushes off an throws an elbow but Naragami leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Naragami avoids the elbow strike from Gnilrets, against the cage.
Gnilrets lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Naragami wants to get back to striking at distance but Gnilrets won't allow it.

Gnilrets's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Naragami with a jab.
Naragami takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gnilrets takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Gnilrets forces Naragami back against the cage and clinches.
Naragami avoids a wild elbow strike from Gnilrets.
Gnilrets throws an elbow that misses.
Naragami makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gnilrets lands a nice elbow.
Gnilrets throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gnilrets lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Naragami can't break the clinch.
Good body shot from Gnilrets.
Naragami working aggressively here.

Gnilrets pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Naragami throws a good cross that connects.
Gnilrets definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Gnilrets showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Naragami.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naragami fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Gnilrets moves into range and clinches up with Naragami.
Gnilrets pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gnilrets lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Naragami avoids a wild elbow strike from Gnilrets.
Gnilrets pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Naragami looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow over the top.
Naragami avoids the elbow strike from Gnilrets, against the cage.
Gnilrets pushes off an throws an elbow but Naragami leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Naragami is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gnilrets creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
We've been informed that Naragami has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naragami blocks an elbow strike.
Naragami on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gnilrets throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow over the top.
Gnilrets pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow over the top.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow strike.
Naragami is trying to break free.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gnilrets just misses with a elbow thrown towards Naragami's brow.

Gnilrets breaks from the clinch.

Naragami moves into range and clinches up with Gnilrets.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Naragami blocks the elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gnilrets just misses with a elbow thrown towards Naragami's brow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Niamajla Gnilrets dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Naragami connects with a jab.

Gnilrets moves into range and clinches up with Naragami.
Naragami takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Gnilrets obliges.
Gnilrets creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Naragami blocks an elbow strike from Gnilrets.
Niamajla Gnilrets has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gnilrets throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Naragami has a couple of punches blocked by Gnilrets.
Naragami avoids a wild elbow strike from Gnilrets.
Naragami dodges an elbow strike from Gnilrets.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gnilrets is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Naragami has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Gnilrets tries to land a knee to the head but Naragami blocks with his arms.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naragami digs a good hook to Gnilrets's body.

Gnilrets clinches up with Naragami and pushes him back against the cage.
Naragami is trying to pull guard but Gnilrets has him pressed against the cage.
Gnilrets looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gnilrets is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Naragami can do to turn this around?
Naragami misses with some punches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gnilrets throws an elbow but misses.
Gnilrets pushes off an throws an elbow but Naragami leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Naragami is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gnilrets lands a nice shot to the body.
Gnilrets pushes off an throws an elbow but Naragami leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Naragami swings wildly with an uppercut but Gnilrets uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gnilrets looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naragami trying to stall but Gnilrets improves his position.
Gnilrets creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gnilrets pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Naragami wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Naragami wants to get back to striking at distance but Gnilrets won't allow it.
Gnilrets pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Naragami has had enough of the clinch but Gnilrets keeps him there for the moment.
Naragami blocks an elbow strike from Gnilrets.
Gnilrets looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Naragami misses with some punches.
Gnilrets pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gnilrets creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Naragami tries to pull guard but Gnilrets forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naragami looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gnilrets just misses with a elbow thrown towards Naragami's brow.
Naragami can't break the clinch.
Gnilrets looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Naragami wants to break free but Gnilrets has control.
Naragami blocks an elbow strike from Gnilrets.
Naragami blocks the elbow strike.
Gnilrets creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gnilrets throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gnilrets throws an elbow that misses.
Gnilrets scores with a hook to the body.
Gnilrets lands a nice elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gnilrets just misses with a elbow thrown towards Naragami's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gnilrets creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Gnilrets breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Gnilrets here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Gnilrets has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gnilrets lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Naragami backwards.
Naragami dodges an elbow strike from Gnilrets.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gnilrets just misses with a elbow thrown towards Naragami's brow.
Naragami takes an elbow to the forehead.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow over the top.
Gnilrets has Naragami pressed against the cage, preventing Naragami from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Naragami is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gnilrets to keep the fight standing.
Niamajla Gnilrets has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinko Naragami.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gnilrets.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Naragami wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Naragami blocks an elbow strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Niamajla Gnilrets dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gnilrets rushes Naragami and presses him up against the cage.
Naragami wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Naragami avoids the elbow strike from Gnilrets, against the cage.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow strike.
Naragami tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gnilrets throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow strike.
Gnilrets pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gnilrets gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gnilrets lands a damaging elbow.
Gnilrets has Naragami pressed against the cage, preventing Naragami from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Naragami tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Naragami takes an elbow to the forehead.
Gnilrets holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naragami avoids a wild elbow strike from Gnilrets.
Gnilrets throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Naragami tries to circle away but Gnilrets has him pinned against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gnilrets throws an elbow but misses.
Gnilrets throws an elbow that misses.
Gnilrets lands an elbow just above Naragami 's eye.
Gnilrets throws an elbow but it misses.
Naragami takes an elbow to the temple.
Gnilrets lands an elbow just above Naragami 's eye.
Gnilrets creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Naragami's defenses.
Naragami avoids a wild elbow strike from Gnilrets.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gnilrets throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gnilrets throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow over the top.
Gnilrets lands with a left to the head.
Naragami avoids the elbow strike from Gnilrets, against the cage.
Gnilrets pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Naragami wants to break free but Gnilrets has control.
Naragami dodges an elbow strike from Gnilrets.
Gnilrets looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gnilrets pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
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!
Naragami looking to stall.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gnilrets throws an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naragami avoids a wild elbow strike from Gnilrets.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gnilrets throws an elbow but misses.
Gnilrets has Naragami pressed against the cage.
Gnilrets lands with a right to the head.
Gnilrets lands an elbow inside.
Gnilrets creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Naragami's defenses.
Gnilrets has Naragami pressed against the cage, preventing Naragami from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow over the top.
Naragami is trying to break the clinch but Gnilrets is controlling him.
Naragami wants to get back to striking at distance but Gnilrets won't allow it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gnilrets throws an elbow but misses.
Gnilrets misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naragami blocks the elbow strike.
Gnilrets tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Naragami blocks the elbow strike.
A nice left hand lands by Gnilrets.
Naragami tries to break free but Gnilrets pushes him back against the cage.
Gnilrets scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gnilrets tries to work over Naragami's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gnilrets throws an elbow but misses.
Naragami blocks the elbow strike.
Naragami tries to circle away but Gnilrets has him pinned against the cage.

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

Naragami rushes Gnilrets and presses him up against the cage.
Shinko Naragami has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Niamajla Gnilrets is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Naragami blocks the elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niamajla Gnilrets showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gnilrets, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:26
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:26
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niamajla Gnilrets!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Niamajla Gnilrets made sure he mentioned Bondi MMA 🏝️, along with how happy he was to win his fight.