PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Esa Nahka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor Madigan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nahka
vs
Madigan

175 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Esa Nahka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Connor Madigan!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Stewart Dunkirk and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Madigan tries a head kick but it misses.
Nahka throws a sloppy head kick and Madigan moves out of range easily.

Madigan shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Nahka manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Madigan wants to control from the top but Nahka keeps moving.

Madigan gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Madigan gets caught flat footed, as Nahka shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nahka controlling from the top position.
Nahka postures up in Madigan's guard and throws a big left but Madigan blocks it.
Nahka controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Madigan wants to sweep here but Nahka controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nahka is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nahka sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Madigan's guard.
Nahka perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nahka missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Madigan wants to control but Nahka is keeping busy.
Madigan is trying to stand back up but Nahka is controlling him
Nahka keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Nahka is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's two 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.
Madigan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Nahka is trying to work for a kimura but Madigan is defending well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Madigan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Madigan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Madigan.
Nahka is breathing heavily.
Nahka tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Madigan tries to move into full mount but can't pass Nahka's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madigan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nahka keeps working.
Nahka prevents Madigan from moving into mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nahka wants to control but Madigan postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nahka tries to buck Madigan off but Madigan is having none of it.
Nahka tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Nahka is desperately trying to improve his position but Madigan has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Madigan controlling from the full mount.

Madigan is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Nahka can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Madigan lands a heavy elbow.
Madigan tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Nahka is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Madigan dominated that round.
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.

Madigan with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nahka counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nahka advances to half guard.
Nahka wants to take a breather but Madigan is having none of it.
Madigan trying to control here.
Madigan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Madigan is not content to let Nahka control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Madigan avoids the head kick by Nahka.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nahka.

Madigan gets a takedown into half guard.
Madigan with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madigan's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Madigan trying to control from Nahka's half guard. Nahka has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Esa Nahka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Madigan advances position into side control!
An elbow from Madigan crashes against the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madigan controls the position.
Madigan trying to control the action but Nahka is working from the bottom.
Nahka is trying to get back to half guard.
Nahka is trying to control Madigan's posture but Madigan avoids it.
Nahka tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Madigan easily slips into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Madigan wants to finish this one by submission but Nahka is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Madigan.
Nahka tries to lock up and control but Madigan gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Nahka is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Esa Nahka will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Madigan darts in and clinches Nahka up against the cage.
Nahka effectively controlling the action here.
Nahka is looking to break free of the clinch but Madigan has double underhooks.
Madigan tries to score a body lock takedown but Nahka shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Nahka successfully pulls guard.
Madigan is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Nahka lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Madigan!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Madigan throwing hammer fists to the chest of Nahka. What's that going to do exactly?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madigan gets back to half guard.
Nahka is thwarting Madigan's attempts to control the position.

Nahka postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Madigan to stand up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Madigan.

Nahka feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Nahka won't allow Madigan to sweep him here.
Madigan is looking to sweep but instead, Nahka has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nahka decides to stand up.

Nahka decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nahka trying to pass the guard but Madigan defending well.
Madigan is trying to get back to full guard.
Madigan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nahka.
Madigan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madigan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nahka connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Nahka tries to roll over but Madigan keeps him under control.
Madigan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nahka keeps working.
Madigan working Nahka over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nahka has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Madigan is working away from the top position though.
Madigan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nahka defending well though.

Madigan stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Madigan tries to close the distance and clinch but Nahka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nahka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Madigan.
Esa Nahka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor Madigan.
Nahka shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Madigan defends it nicely.
Madigan doesn't manage to clinch there - Nahka circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Esa Nahka showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nahka has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esa Nahka!