PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Israel Adesanya (ranked 887 p4p, 2757 weight class) and Saw Ba Nyein (ranked 135 p4p, 404 weight class). Adesanya's entrance music is Israel Adesanya Entrance Music. A fine choice. This should be a great matchup!

Adesanya
vs
Ba Nyein

193 cm
25
184
13 - 3 - 1

163 cm
24
126
7 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

020 Clothing

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Israel Adesanya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Saw Ba Nyein!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ba Nyein avoids the body shot from Adesanya.
Ba Nyein scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ba Nyein fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Adesanya.

Adesanya closes the distance and clinches.

Adesanya breaks the clinch.
Adesanya fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ba Nyein chopping away at his opponent's legs.
We've been told by Adesanya's head coaches at 020 Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ba Nyein fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Ba Nyein misses
and Adesanya counters with a straight right hand.
A bone on bone clash there as Ba Nyein blocks the leg kick.
Ba Nyein smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ba Nyein misses with the combination.
Adesanya appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ba Nyein throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Adesanya to counter with a crisp jab.
A head kick misses from Ba Nyein.
Adesanya throws a nice looking combination but Ba Nyein bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Despite the aggression on Ba Nyein's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Adesanya throws an overhand right that lands on Ba Nyein's shoulder, as Ba Nyein tries to avoid the shot.
Ba Nyein keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Adesanya.
Ba Nyein throws a sloppy head kick and Adesanya moves out of range easily.
Adesanya throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Adesanya moves out of range as Ba Nyein throws a body kick.
Ba Nyein throws a wild body kick that Adesanya sees coming a mile off.
Ba Nyein tries to close the distance and clinch but Adesanya swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
It appears Adesanya was looking to counter with a kick there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya delivers a nice body kick.
Adesanya throws a hook but Ba Nyein avoids it easily.
Adesanya looks to score with a jab to the body but Ba Nyein is just out of range.
Ba Nyein throws a sloppy head kick and Adesanya moves out of range easily.
Adesanya stuns Ba Nyein with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Adesanya. Those never looked like landing.
Ba Nyein tries to clinch but Adesanya is having none of it.
Ba Nyein throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ba Nyein misses with a double jab

and Adesanya moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ba Nyein is trying to break the clinch but Adesanya is controlling him.

Adesanya breaks from the clinch.
Ba Nyein lands a glancing blow to the side of Adesanya's head.
Adesanya looks to land a combination but Ba Nyein avoids it well.
Adesanya works the jab nicely.
Ba Nyein tries to close the distance and clinch but Adesanya swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Adesanya fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ba Nyein.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Adesanya - that will leave a mark!
Adesanya dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Adesanya throws a sloppy head kick
and Ba Nyein counters with a thumping low kick.
Ba Nyein throws a leg kick
and Adesanya counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Adesanya works Ba Nyein's body with a nice hook.
Adesanya is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ba Nyein pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Adesanya on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ba Nyein feints a jab promting Adesanya to slip. Ba Nyein then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Adesanya slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ba Nyein keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Adesanya.
Ba Nyein with a nice calf kick.
Adesanya pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ba Nyein throws a counter combo.
Ba Nyein scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Adesanya throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ba Nyein connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Israel Adesanya will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ba Nyein throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Adesanya counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ba Nyein moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Adesanya paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Adesanya digs a good hook to Ba Nyein's body.
Adesanya lands a head kick!
Adesanya throws a head kick that misses.
Ba Nyein attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ba Nyein pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Adesanya appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adesanya misses the body punch
and Adesanya takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ba Nyein tries to clinch up.
Adesanya seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ba Nyein throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Adesanya counters with a left to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adesanya avoids the body shot from Ba Nyein.
Adesanya went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ba Nyein throws a hook but Adesanya avoids it easily.
Israel Adesanya is winning the standup battle so far.

Adesanya darts in and clinches Ba Nyein up against the cage.

Adesanya breaks from the clinch.
Ba Nyein throws a nice looking combination but Adesanya bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
That kick from Ba Nyein tenderised Adesanya's leg. Adesanya is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ba Nyein jabs Adesanya right on the nose. Adesanya blinks but takes it well.
Adesanya scores with a nice right hand.
Adesanya finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Adesanya swings for the body but Ba Nyein moves out of range.
Ba Nyein fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Adesanya takes the fight into the clinch.
Ba Nyein is trying to break the clinch but Adesanya is controlling him.
Adesanya tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ba Nyein avoids it.

Adesanya manages to break the clinch.
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!
Ba Nyein avoids the head kick by Adesanya.
Israel Adesanya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Adesanya throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ba Nyein swings widly with a right hand
letting Adesanya counter with a right hand.

Adesanya has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ba Nyein wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein is stalling here.
Ba Nyein working hard to break the clinch.

Adesanya breaks from the clinch.
Adesanya keeps the fight on the outside.
Adesanya is looking for a counter combo.

Ba Nyein gets tackled into the cage by Adesanya. Adesanya maintains the clinch.
Adesanya blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ba Nyein misses with a short punch on the inside.
Adesanya prevents Ba Nyein from breaking the clinch.
Ba Nyein is trying to break the clinch but Adesanya has him pressed against the cage.
Ba Nyein is looking to break free of the clinch but Adesanya has double underhooks.
Ba Nyein throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Adesanyas head.
Adesanya keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ba Nyein's efforts to push away.
Ba Nyein is trying to break the clinch but Adesanya is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ba Nyein lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Ba Nyein breaks the clinch.
Adesanya scores with a jab to the jaw.
Adesanya is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ba Nyein tries to clinch but Adesanya moves away
and Adesanya counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ba Nyein throws a shot to the body.
Nice jab there from Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Adesanya.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Adesanya throws a body shot but no joy.
Ba Nyein takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Adesanya tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ba Nyein manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Israel Adesanya dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ba Nyein fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ba Nyein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Adesanya manages to avoid it.
Adesanya connects with a leg kick.
Ba Nyein lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ba Nyein scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ba Nyein misses with an uppercut. Adesanya saw that one coming.
Ba Nyein blocks a head kick by Adesanya.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right-left combo lands from Adesanya.
Ba Nyein connects with a body shot.
Ba Nyein has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Some wild striking there from Ba Nyein.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ba Nyein fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ba Nyein misses with a jab, cross combination.
Adesanya scoring well with a low kick there.
Adesanya wants to clinch.
Ba Nyein feints a counter leg kick.
Adesanya throws out a leg kick but Ba Nyein moves out of range and Adesanya only half commits.
Adesanya fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A little jabbing left from Ba Nyein on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ba Nyein lands a right hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ba Nyein's head.
Ba Nyein just misses with a punch to the body.
Adesanya fails to land with a series of punches.
Adesanya throws a jab when Ba Nyein was well out of range.
Ba Nyein throws a counter combo.
Adesanya takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ba Nyein pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Adesanya back to the cage. Ba Nyein follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ba Nyein tries to close the distance and clinch up but Adesanya swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And Adesanya counters with a quick kick to the body but Ba Nyein blocks it.
Nice body punch from Ba Nyein.
Ba Nyein wants to clinch up but Adesanya keeps it at a distance.
Adesanya was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Adesanya looks to land a combination but Ba Nyein avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya throws a front kick that sends Ba Nyein stumbling back into the cage.
Adesanya misses with a wild combination.

Adesanya rushes Ba Nyein and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Adesanya breaks the clinch.
Adesanya tries to clinch but Ba Nyein moves out of range.
Ba Nyein doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Ba Nyein blocks a head kick by Adesanya.
Ba Nyein doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Ba Nyein tries to close the distance and clinch but Adesanya swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Adesanya tries to work over Ba Nyein's front leg with a kick but Ba Nyein checks it.
Saw Ba Nyein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Israel Adesanya is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya throws a combination that misses
and Ba Nyein makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Adesanya really felt that one!
Ba Nyein lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Adesanya misses the shot to the body.
Ba Nyein lands a head kick!
Ba Nyein tries to clinch
and Adesanya cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ba Nyein throws a nice inside leg kick.
Adesanya is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ba Nyein scores with a spinning back kick!
Adesanya tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Adesanya rushes Ba Nyein and presses him up against the cage.

Adesanya breaks the clinch.
Adesanya uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ba Nyein.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Saw Ba Nyein.
Well Adesanya has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Israel Adesanya!
As Israel Adesanya got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Nos encanta una buena salida. Nos encanta una buena pelea. Esto es parte de la cultura. Directamente hacia arriba. Somos un país de raza guerrera, los maoríes. Esto es parte de nuestra cultura. Si estallara una pelea en este momento, ¿qué harían todos ustedes? Me ignorarías y verías la pelea.'.