PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Delbert Mazzariello (ranked 1846 p4p, 2425 weight class) and Theodore Nouveau (ranked 240 p4p, 300 weight class). Theodore Nouveau acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Mazzariello
vs
Nouveau

180 cm
29
160
14 - 12 - 0

168 cm
40
158
21 - 35 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Delbert Mazzariello!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 35 - 0, fighting out of London, Theodore Nouveau!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nouveau trying to control the position but instead, Mazzariello has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nouveau into the cage.
Nouveau misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nouveau is looking to break free of the clinch but Mazzariello has double underhooks.
Mazzariello throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nouveau looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mazzariello prevents Nouveau from breaking the clinch.
A short right from Mazzariello.
Nouveau is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nouveau swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mazzariello is working Nouveau over against the cage.
Nouveau fails to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazzariello lands with a right to the head.
Mazzariello misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mazzariello will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Nouveau up against the cage.
Mazzariello lands a right hand.
Mazzariello misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nouveau is trying to pull guard but Mazzariello has him pressed against the cage.

Nouveau has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Mazzariello regains guard immediately.
Mazzariello controlling Nouveau's posture.
Nouveau slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nouveau lands a couple of elbows.

Nouveau postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mazzariello is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Nouveau, into his guard.

Mazzariello throws a strike but Nouveau rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mazzariello is pulling down on Nouveau's head. It's preventing any offense from Nouveau, at least for the moment.
Mazzariello is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nouveau working some strikes from top position.
Mazzariello is pulling down on Nouveau's head to control his posture.

Mazzariello working for a triangle but Nouveau defends it easily.
Mazzariello looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nouveau wants to control from the top but Mazzariello keeps moving.
Mazzariello looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mazzariello not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nouveau trying to control the position from guard on top but Mazzariello is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nouveau keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mazzariello's head.
Mazzariello keeping moving, preventing Nouveau from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mazzariello throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Mazzariello throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Delbert Mazzariello dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Mazzariello with a jab.
Nouveau closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mazzariello counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nouveau keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mazzariello enables Nouveau to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mazzariello manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Nouveau throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nouveau makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nouveau wants to pass the guard but Mazzariello is keeping the position.
Mazzariello manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nouveau manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nouveau not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mazzariello tries to free his leg and advance position but Nouveau is retaining full guard.
Nouveau looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mazzariello prevents Nouveau from getting back to his feet.
Mazzariello stays in close to Nouveau's body and controls the position.
Mazzariello passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Mazzariello cracks Nouveau with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Mazzariello wants to control but Nouveau is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mazzariello working the head and body with strikes.
Mazzariello scoring with punches from side control.
Mazzariello controls the position from side control.
Mazzariello scoring with punches from side control.
Nouveau tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazzariello wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nouveau keeps working.

Mazzariello tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mazzariello has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Mazzariello is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nouveau can do to turn this around?
Nouveau is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Mazzariello is controlling him well.
Nouveau takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Nouveau throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.

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.
Nouveau is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Nouveau is not content to let Mazzariello control the position.
Delbert Mazzariello overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mazzariello is working Nouveau over with some ground and pound from side control.
Nouveau manages to get back to half guard.
Mazzariello not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mazzariello is looking to advance position but Nouveau won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nouveau wants to control but Mazzariello is keeping busy.
Nouveau is not content to let Mazzariello control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Delbert Mazzariello dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Mazzariello moves into the clinch successfully.
Mazzariello lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mazzariello misses with an elbow over the top.
Nouveau misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mazzariello.
Mazzariello looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Mazzariello lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nouveau blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mazzariello taking a breather.
Mazzariello blocks an elbow strike from Nouveau.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nouveau tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mazzariello's elbow.
Mazzariello misses with a punch to the body.
Nouveau missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazzariello scores with a shoulder strike.
Nouveau wants to break free but Mazzariello has control.
Nouveau has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mazzariello lands a left hand.
Nouveau is trying to break the clinch but Mazzariello has him pressed against the cage.
Nouveau tries to pull guard but Mazzariello forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mazzariello lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nouveau tries to circle away but Mazzariello has him pinned against the cage.
Nouveau stalling the fight.
Mazzariello lands an uppercut.
Nouveau drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mazzariello pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mazzariello with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nouveau tries to clinch up.
Nouveau throws a sloppy head kick and Mazzariello moves out of range easily.
Mazzariello fires out a quick counter leg kick but Nouveau just manages to avoid it.
Mazzariello lands a nice hook to Nouveau's body. Nouveau takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Mazzariello gets caught flat footed, as Nouveau shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
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!
Nouveau working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Mazzariello throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nouveau wants to stand but Mazzariello has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Nouveau stands up from Mazzariello's guard - Nouveau perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nouveau fails with the takedown.
Delbert Mazzariello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Theodore Nouveau.
Nouveau tries to clinch up.
Nouveau with a poor takedown
enabling Mazzariello to counter with a crisp jab.
Nouveau with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mazzariello counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nouveau gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mazzariello counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Delbert Mazzariello is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mazzariello scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nouveau in his tracks.
Mazzariello works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Mazzariello has Nouveau up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mazzariello scores with a shoulder strike.
A short body shot lands from Mazzariello as the two fighters clinch.
Nouveau wants to get back to striking at distance but Mazzariello won't allow it.
Nouveau has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mazzariello avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Mazzariello pushes Nouveau back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nouveau jumps guard but Mazzariello stands there with Nouveau around his waist. Nouveau gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Theodore Nouveau has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nouveau has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nouveau trying to control the position but instead, Mazzariello has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nouveau into the cage.
Nouveau is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Delbert Mazzariello showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mazzariello, 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Delbert Mazzariello!
During a confident post fight interview, Delbert Mazzariello thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Theodore Nouveau spoke after the fight, saying 'what a mess...'.