PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Adriel Nayati (ranked 1763 p4p, 1649 weight class) and Thomas Carden (ranked 234 p4p, 223 weight class). Nayati comes to the cage accompanied by Indian Calling - At War. Carden is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Simple Man. 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.

Nayati
vs
Carden

180 cm
21
160
5 - 1 - 0

174 cm
22
165
5 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Phoenix

Stoner's Killer Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Adriel Nayati!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thomas Carden!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nayati closes the distance and clinches up with Carden, looking for a takedown. Nayati pushes Carden against the cage but Carden circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nayati takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Carden lands a right hook to the body.
Nayati steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Carden.

Nayati shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Carden is trying to defend but Nayati finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Carden is looking to improve his position.

Nayati wants to work for an arm triangle but Carden is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nayati is keen to just control but Carden is a slippery customer.
Nayati sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Carden defending well though.
Nayati sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Carden defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nayati is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nayati takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nayati throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Carden to regain full guard.
Carden utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nayati throws an elbow that misses. Carden uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nayati's guard. Nice move by Carden!

Carden trying to control the position from guard on top but Nayati is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carden sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nayati looking for a sweep. Not yet Nayati, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carden is looking to work some ground and pound but Nayati has wrist control.

Nayati has his foot on Carden's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Carden works his way back into a safe position though.
Nayati looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nayati manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Carden manages to get himself to full guard.

Carden 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.
Carden avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nayati works over Carden with some ground and pound from guard.
Carden avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Carden working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nayati.
Nayati throwing strikes but missing.
Carden working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nayati.
Carden really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nayati. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carden preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nayati pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carden is keeping the position for now.
Carden utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Nayati thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nayati accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nayati has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

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

Nayati 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carden throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nayati works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nayati looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Carden connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carden trying to control but Nayati is working from the bottom.
Nayati wants to sweep but no luck.

Nayati is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nayati tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nayati looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Carden throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Adriel Nayati dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Carden throws a nice looking combination but Nayati bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nayati gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Carden connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nayati blocks a jab.
Carden rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Nayati counters with a takedown into side control.
Nayati working the strikes but Carden uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Nayati has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Nayati is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Carden has managed to free his arm - good work.
Adriel Nayati overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Carden is looking to control Nayati's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Carden avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nayati thows a huge punch but Carden dodges it nicely.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nayati lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carden blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nayati.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nayati throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nayati is looking to take a break and control but Carden is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nayati lands a nice short elbow.
Nayati missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nayati wants to free his trapped foot but Carden is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Nayati thows a huge punch but Carden dodges it nicely.
Carden on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Carden is trying to control but can't.
Nayati not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Carden has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nayati is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nayati tries to pass the half guard into mount. Carden knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Carden wants to get back to full guard.
Carden blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nayati.

Nayati is trying to work for a kimura but Carden is defending well.
Ground and pound from Nayati.
Nayati tries to pass the half guard into mount. Carden knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Nayati looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nayati looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Nayati lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nayati throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Carden is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nayati not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Carden avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nayati.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carden is trying to control but can't.
Nayati is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Carden reverses the position - he's now on top in Nayati's guard.
Carden throwing strikes from guard but Nayati blocks nicely.

Nayati has his foot on Carden's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Carden works his way back into a safe position though.
Nayati is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Carden can do to turn this around?

Nayati is looking for a triangle here but Carden uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Carden wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nayati keeps working.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Carden creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Adriel Nayati dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nayati keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Nayati drives through with a takedown into Carden's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Nayati postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nayati works over Carden with some ground and pound from guard.
Nayati pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carden is keeping the position for now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Carden can do anything to dispel that myth.
Nayati lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nayati throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Carden works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Carden has momentary wrist control but Nayati slips an elbow through the middle.
Nayati looking to pass the guard.
Nayati is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nayati postures up and lands a big shot to Carden's brow.
Nayati trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nayati throws a big elbow that misses.
Carden keeping moving, preventing Nayati from controlling successfully.
Nayati works over Carden with some ground and pound from guard.
Carden keeping moving, preventing Nayati from controlling successfully.
Nayati is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Carden is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Nayati works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carden blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nayati.
Carden is looking for a sweep. Nayati is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Carden has hold of Nayati's hands but Nayati slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nayati connects with a nice short shot to Carden's temple.

Nayati is looking for a kimura but Carden is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Nayati to get the leverage.
Nayati takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nayati is looking to take a break and control but Carden is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Carden wants to control but Nayati is keeping busy.
Carden tries to roll over but Nayati keeps him under control.
Nayati missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nayati is trying to control the action in half guard but Carden is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Nayati seems to be working for a kimura but Carden defends the submission attempt.
Nayati trying to control from half guard but Carden is working away.
Carden tries to roll over but Nayati keeps him under control.

Nayati is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nayati lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nayati not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nayati is nestled in close to Carden, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nayati thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nayati sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Carden defending well though.
Nayati thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nayati not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Adriel Nayati clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Nayati misses with a takedown attempt - Carden sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nayati walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Carden jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nayati takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Thomas Carden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nayati shoots in for a double leg but Carden sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nayati shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adriel Nayati. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nayati takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carden throws a hook to the side of Nayati's head but Nayati sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Carden ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nayati moves away.
Carden misses with a hook. Nayati ducked under it nicely.

Nayati shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Carden manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carden pulls Nayati in close to his closed guard and prevents Nayati from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nayati's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nayati is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nayati with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Carden working a defensive guard here.
Nayati works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Carden felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nayati scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Nayati has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Nayati looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Nayati lands a big elbow.

Nayati looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Carden in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carden wants to hold on but Nayati pushes him away.
Carden is bucking up trying to escape but Nayati cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Carden wants to control but Nayati is having none of it.
The referee warns Carden that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Nayati landing strikes from the mount and Carden is in trouble!
Nayati lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Carden hang on?
Nayati with good strikes from the mount here!
Nayati lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Carden hang on?
Carden tries to lock up and control but Nayati gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Nayati lands a big shot there that rocks Carden but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nayati has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Carden's face.
Nayati lands a couple of good shots and Carden has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Nayati lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Nayati is punishing Carden with strikes - can he finish him?!

Nayati working for the rear naked choke here. He's got one arm under but Carden is defending well. A couple of punches soften him up though and Nayati has tightened the hold! This one could be all over! It is! Carden taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:40 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Adriel Nayati!
Adriel Nayati retains his lightweight title!
A relieved looking Adriel Nayati thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.