PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yawa Kiang (ranked 24397 p4p, 24289 weight class) and Way Nada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Kiang
vs
Nada

182 cm
20
160
12 - 14 - 0

182 cm
20
160
8 - 18 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yawa Kiang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Way Nada!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Nada tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kiang sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nada somewhat.
Kiang seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Nada shoots for a takedown but Kiang saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kiang shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kiang was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kiang creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiang controls the position.
Nada is trying to control Kiang's posture but Kiang avoids it.
Nada might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kiang haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Nada tries to bench press Kiang off him but Kiang keeps the position.
Nada struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A lull in the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kiang is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nada sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Kiang scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Nada is trying to control but can't.
Nada is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Nada is looking to control Kiang's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nada avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiang seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Nada is controlling Kiang's position as best he can from this difficult position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nada has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kiang is working away from the top position though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Nada drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yawa Kiang dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kiang shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nada sprawls well. Nada wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kiang gets slowly back to his feet.
Nada replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Kiang blocks it well.
Nada shoots in for a double leg but Kiang sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kiang thinks about countering with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nada.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiang shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nada pinned against the cage. Nada gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nada flicks out a counter leg kick but Kiang steps away.

Nada scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiang is looking to control Nada's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kiang avoid being mounted?
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kiang is refusing to be controlled, as Nada sits in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nada dives in for a single leg takedown but Kiang sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Yawa Kiang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Way Nada.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nada fails with the takedown.
And Kiang counters with a quick kick to the body but Nada blocks it.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Nada misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kiang closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kiang lands in his opponent's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Way Nada will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kiang looks for a takedown but Nada sprawls well.
Nada is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kiang sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Nada. No joy for Kiang on that attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nada doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Kiang counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiang goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nada thinks about the counter body kick.

Nada shoots in and gets a takedown into Kiang's guard.
Kiang pulls Nada in close to his closed guard and prevents Nada from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nada is stalling in the full guard.
Let's hope that Nada has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Nada preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiang is controlling Nada's posture.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Nada wants to control from the top but Kiang keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kiang fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yawa Kiang. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nada misses with a kick to the body.
Kiang closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nada circles away.
Nada shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kiang as he jumps to the side.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kiang closes the distance and clinches up with Nada, looking for a takedown. Kiang pushes Nada against the cage but Nada circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nada thinks about the counter body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Way Nada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nada has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Way Nada!