PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nigel Stricter (ranked 4066 p4p, 4555 weight class) and Ubo Utunga (ranked 442 p4p, 462 weight class). Nigel Stricter has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stricter
vs
Utunga

202 cm
22
250
2 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
265
0 - 0 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nigel Stricter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ubo Utunga!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stricter changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Utunga tries to avoid it but Stricter manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Utunga to the ground. Utunga escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stricter throws a nice looking combination but Utunga bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Stricter manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Utunga on his heels. He'll look to pass Utunga's guard now, I'm sure.
Stricter wants to pass the guard but Utunga is keeping the position.
Stricter is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Stricter sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Utunga's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stricter stands up out of the half guard.
Utunga scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Stricter dives in and grabs Utunga's left leg, looking for a takedown. Utunga pushes down on Stricter's head and hops out.
No luck for Utunga with that takedown attempt.
Stricter tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Utunga manages to circle out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stricter drives through and clinches with Utunga against the cage.
Stricter keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Utunga's efforts to push away.
Utunga gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stricter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nigel Stricter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stricter has Utunga pushed against the cage.
Utunga fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A left hand lands to the body for Stricter.

Stricter wants the takedown. Utunga is fighting it off but Stricter persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Utunga's guard against the cage.
Stricter lands a couple of digs.
Utunga can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Stricter controls the pace.
Stricter pushing down on Utunga's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Stricter is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Utunga is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Nigel Stricter!