PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Israel Adesanya (ranked 877 p4p, 3214 weight class) and Saw Ba Nyein (ranked 97 p4p, 317 weight class). Adesanya's entrance music is Israel Adesanya Entrance Music. A fine choice. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Saw Ba Nyein was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Adesanya
vs
Ba Nyein

193 cm
23
184
11 - 3 - 0

163 cm
22
126
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

IC&E Nutrition (& 10% 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 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Israel Adesanya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saw Ba Nyein!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ba Nyein throws a series of punches but Adesanya moves out of range.
Adesanya feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Adesanya lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Adesanya clinches up with Ba Nyein and pushes him back against the cage.
Ba Nyein misses with a punch on the inside.
Adesanya putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ba Nyein in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Adesanya misses with a knee strike.
A frustrated look appears on Ba Nyein's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Adesanya breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ba Nyein misses with a straight left.
A shot to the body from Adesanya misses
and Ba Nyein counters with a stiff right hand.
Ba Nyein looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A low kick lands for Adesanya.
Adesanya takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Adesanya wants to land a leg kick but Ba Nyein is out of range.
Ba Nyein misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Adesanya moves into the clinch.

Adesanya pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ba Nyein throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Adesanya sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ba Nyein takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ba Nyein feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Adesanyas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Adesanya takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Adesanya is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Adesanya keeps the fight on the outside.

Ba Nyein has Adesanya up against the cage in a clinch.
Ba Nyein lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ba Nyein is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ba Nyein has had enough of the clinch but Adesanya keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ba Nyein pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Adesanya falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ba Nyein counters with a three punch combo that has Adesanya backing up. Adesanya nods at Ba Nyein to acknowledge the strikes.
A solid leg kick lands there for Adesanya.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ba Nyein uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Adesanya.
Ba Nyein throws a sloppy head kick and Adesanya moves out of range easily.

Ba Nyein takes the fight into the clinch.

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

Adesanya moves into the clinch.
Adesanya tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ba Nyein can't find room to land a body shot as Adesanya controls the action.

Adesanya breaks from the clinch.
Adesanya pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ba Nyein lands a head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
We've been told by Adesanya's head coaches at Catch Wrestling L.A. that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Adesanya scores with a jab to the jaw.
Adesanya misses with a double jab
and Ba Nyein counters with a three punch combo that has Adesanya backing up. Adesanya nods at Ba Nyein to acknowledge the strikes.
Ba Nyein throws a head kick but Adesanya moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Adesanya's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ba Nyein throws a head kick that misses
and Adesanya counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ba Nyein wants to clinch up but Adesanya keeps it at a distance.
Adesanya keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ba Nyein misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya connects with a looping right hand.
Ba Nyein misses with a hook. Adesanya ducked under it nicely.
Ba Nyein throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Adesanya.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ba Nyein on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ba Nyein swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Adesanya is looking for a counter combo.
Adesanya misses with a body shot.
Ba Nyein walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Adesanya misses with a low kick.
Ba Nyein looks to land a body kick but Adesanya moved away.
As Ba Nyein tries to get set, Adesanya tries to push him back and clinch up but Ba Nyein manages to avoid the attempt.
Ba Nyein throws a sloppy head kick and Adesanya moves out of range easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Saw Ba Nyein will probably get the nod.
That's time! Adesanya's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Adesanya lands a lovely overhand right.
Adesanya throws the left hand but Ba Nyein avoids the punch easily.
Ba Nyein dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Ba Nyein misses the target.

Ba Nyein gets a clinch.
Ba Nyein tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Adesanya avoids it.

Ba Nyein pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Adesanya lands with a slapping head kick.
Adesanya jabs at Ba Nyein's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adesanya dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Adesanya throws a right and a left that both miss.
Saw Ba Nyein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ba Nyein tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ba Nyein wants to clinch but Adesanya slips to the side
letting Adesanya counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Adesanya.
A little jabbing left from Ba Nyein on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Adesanya throws a series of punches but Ba Nyein avoids them all with ease.
Ba Nyein throws out a counter right but Adesanya avoids it with no problem.
Ba Nyein attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Adesanya is looking to counter punch.
A punch combination from Ba Nyein misses.
It looked like Adesanya was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ba Nyein.
Adesanya is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ba Nyein throws a head kick but Adesanya moves out of range.
Ba Nyein throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Adesanya counters with a left to the body.

Adesanya has taken the fight to the clinch.

Adesanya breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Ba Nyein, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ba Nyein fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ba Nyein throws a jab when Adesanya was well out of range.
Ba Nyein tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein scores with a shot to the body.
Adesanya avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ba Nyein has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
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!
A chopping leg kick lands by Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein wants to clinch up but Adesanya keeps it at a distance.
A counter left hand to the body from Adesanya misses its target.
Adesanya throws a leg kick
enabling Ba Nyein to counter with a crisp jab.
Ba Nyein misses with a body kick.
Adesanya throws a big counter combination but Ba Nyein scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Adesanya checks a leg kick.
Ba Nyein misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya jabs Ba Nyein right on the nose. Ba Nyein blinks but takes it well.
Adesanya misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein is looking for the big counter here.
Ba Nyein misses with a double jab.
Adesanya throws a quick inside leg kick.
Adesanya tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ba Nyein paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ba Nyein misses the jab.
An inside leg kick from Ba Nyein misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Adesanya breaks the clinch.
Adesanya looks for the body kick but Ba Nyein saw that one coming.
Ba Nyein shapes to counter with a head kick.
Ba Nyein tries to clinch but Adesanya is having none of it.
Adesanya throwing a counter right hand but Ba Nyein manages to avoid it.
Ba Nyein lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya takes a swing at Ba Nyein's ribcage but misses.
Adesanya lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Adesanya crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Ba Nyein - the referee stops the clock and Adesanya gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Ba Nyein. Adesanya manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ba Nyein misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Adesanya looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ba Nyein takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Adesanya fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ba Nyein has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Adesanya throws a combination. Ba Nyein tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A thudding body kick lands there by Adesanya!
Ba Nyein scores with a nice strike.
Adesanya steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ba Nyein.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Israel Adesanya will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Adesanya pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ba Nyein is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

Ba Nyein clinches with his opponent.
Ba Nyein works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ba Nyein avoiding damage as Adesanya throws knees to the body.

Adesanya's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Adesanya scores with a kick to the body.
Adesanya takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ba Nyein misses with an attempted mid kick.
Adesanya is looking to counter punch.

Adesanya closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ba Nyein tries to work over Adesanya's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Ba Nyein breaks from the clinch.
Adesanya throws a big shot that misses.
Ba Nyein tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ba Nyein tries to clinch but Adesanya moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adesanya on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Adesanya avoids the head kick by Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein scores with a jab to the body.
Ba Nyein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Adesanya moves away.
Adesanya appears to be looking for a big counter.
Ba Nyein looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Adesanya throws a body punch but Ba Nyein moves out of range.
Ba Nyein is looking for the big counter here.
Saw Ba Nyein seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Adesanya moves out of range as Ba Nyein strikes.
Ba Nyein throws out a loose jab but Adesanya uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ba Nyein misses with a kick to the body.
Adesanya takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ba Nyein lands with an uppercut that bounces Adesanya off the cage and back into range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein tries to clinch
and Adesanya counters with a one-two to the body.
Adesanya looks to score with a jab to the body but Ba Nyein is just out of range.
Ba Nyein looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Adesanya swings for the body but Ba Nyein moves out of range.
Ba Nyein raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ba Nyein throws a sloppy head kick and Adesanya moves out of range easily.
Adesanya appears to be looking for a big counter.
Adesanya scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Israel Adesanya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Adesanya throws a leg kick but Ba Nyein sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ba Nyein misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Adesanya misses with a head kick.
Ba Nyein takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Adesanya looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ba Nyein misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Ba Nyein scores with a four punch combination!

Adesanya darts in and clinches Ba Nyein up against the cage.
Ba Nyein is trying to break free.

Adesanya escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick misses from Adesanya.
Ba Nyein keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ba Nyein takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ba Nyein throws a right and a left that Adesanya avoids nicely.
Adesanya throws a front kick that sends Ba Nyein stumbling back into the cage.
Ba Nyein blocks a head kick by Adesanya.
Ba Nyein lands with a nice body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ba Nyein.
A punch lands to the side of Adesanya 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Adesanya is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ba Nyein scores with a shot to the body.
Adesanya throws a head kick but Ba Nyein moves out of range.
Ba Nyein lands a head kick. Adesanya smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Adesanya takes a swing at Ba Nyein's ribcage but misses.
Ba Nyein throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Adesanya counters with a left and a right that stings Ba Nyein.
A telegraphed right hand from Ba Nyein misses the target.
Ba Nyein throws a head kick but Adesanya moves out of range.
Adesanya was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Saw Ba Nyein.
I think Ba Nyein 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

The fight is ruled a draw!