PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nino Pagnotto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hakeem Alaju Dong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pagnotto's entrance music is Very Ape - Nirvana. A fine choice. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Pagnotto
vs
Alaju Dong

171 cm
19
178 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
178 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

Elite Nutrition Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nino Pagnotto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hakeem Alaju Dong!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Eliza Hachem and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pagnotto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dong.

Pagnotto has managed to clinch.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pagnotto doesn't manage to clinch there - Dong circles away.
Pagnotto misses with a body shot.
Pagnotto throws a sloppy head kick and Dong moves out of range easily.
Dong blocks a head kick by Pagnotto.
Dong moves out of range as Pagnotto throws a body kick.
Pagnotto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pagnotto looks to land a combination but Dong avoids it well.
Pagnotto ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pagnotto throws a wild body kick that Dong sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pagnotto throws a head kick that misses.
Pagnotto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dong moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pagnotto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Pagnotto doesn't manage to clinch there - Dong circles away.

Pagnotto pushes Dong up against the cage in a clinch.

Pagnotto breaks from the clinch.

Pagnotto has closed the distance and engaged Dong in a clinch.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch.
Pagnotto moves in looking to clinch but Dong pushes him off.

Pagnotto rushes Dong and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch.
Pagnotto throws a head kick that misses.
Pagnotto throws a nice looking combination but Dong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nino Pagnotto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pagnotto connects with a high kick.

It looks like Hakeem Alaju Dong has been cut.
Pagnotto tries to clinch but Dong is having none of it.
Dong avoids the head kick by Pagnotto.
Pagnotto throws a body kick that misses.
Pagnotto throws a sloppy head kick and Dong moves out of range easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Dong checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Pagnotto tries a head kick but it misses.
Pagnotto moves in looking to clinch but Dong pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pagnotto clinches with his opponent.
Pagnotto stops a takedown attempt from Dong.

Pagnotto manages to break the clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Pagnotto.
Pagnotto tries to clinch up but Dong circles away and keeps his distance.
Pagnotto throws a sloppy head kick and Dong moves out of range easily.
Pagnotto fails to land with a series of punches.
Dong blocks a head kick by Pagnotto.
Pagnotto throws a head kick but Dong moves out of range.
Pagnotto misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pagnotto tries to clinch up.
Pagnotto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pagnotto tries to clinch but Dong moves out of range.
Dong swats away the attempt to clinch by Pagnotto.
Pagnotto lands a nice shot to the body.
Pagnotto fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pagnotto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dong blocks a leg kick.
Pagnotto wants to clinch up but Dong keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nino Pagnotto dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hakeem Alaju Dong's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pagnotto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pagnotto tries to close the distance and clinch but Dong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pagnotto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pagnotto moves in looking to clinch but Dong pushes him off.
Pagnotto throws a sloppy head kick and Dong moves out of range easily.
Pagnotto tries to close the distance and clinch but Dong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dong avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pagnotto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pagnotto is looking to clinch.
Nino Pagnotto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dong avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pagnotto is looking to clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Pagnotto.
Pagnotto misses with a body shot.
Pagnotto tries to clinch up but Dong circles away and keeps his distance.
Pagnotto tries a head kick but it misses.

Pagnotto moves into the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Pagnotto.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pagnotto misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pagnotto connects with a solid leg kick.
Pagnotto tries a head kick but it misses.
Pagnotto tries to clinch but Dong moves out of range.
Pagnotto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Pagnotto wants to clinch up but Dong keeps it at a distance.
Pagnotto throws a nice head kick!
Dong takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Pagnotto misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pagnotto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Pagnotto rushes Dong and presses him up against the cage.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch.
Dong defending well as Pagnotto loads up on a big left hand.
Pagnotto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Pagnotto closes the distance and clinches.
Pagnotto scores with a knee to the head.

Pagnotto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pagnotto is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dong takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Dong takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Pagnotto misses with a double jab.
Dong shoots for a double leg takedown but Pagnotto sprawls well. He's pushed Dong's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dong is breathing heavily.

Pagnotto drives through and clinches with Dong against the cage.
Pagnotto leaning his opponent against the cage.

Pagnotto manages to break the clinch.
Pagnotto will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dong keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nino Pagnotto dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Hakeem Alaju Dong's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pagnotto is looking to clinch but Dong is avoiding it.
Pagnotto tries a head kick but it misses.
Pagnotto misses the shot to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Pagnotto.
Dong moves out of range of the body kick from Pagnotto.
Pagnotto scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Dong scores with a takedown into Pagnotto's guard.
Pagnotto is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Pagnotto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dong takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dong trying to control but Pagnotto is working from the bottom.
Pagnotto is pulling down on Dong's head. It's preventing any offense from Dong, at least for the moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pagnotto wants to improve his position but instead Dong has moved into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Pagnotto trying to hold on to Dong's head to control him but Dong postures up.
Pagnotto is trying to get back to full guard.
Pagnotto is controlling Dong's trapped leg to prevent Dong from advancing to side control.
Dong is tying to control. Pagnotto wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dong prevents Pagnotto from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pagnotto scores with a kick to the body.
Dong blocks a head kick by Pagnotto.

Pagnotto moves into the clinch successfully.
Dong tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pagnotto throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dong drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pagnotto pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dong avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pagnotto lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Pagnotto tries to clinch up but Dong circles away and keeps his distance.
Pagnotto is looking to clinch.
Dong avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pagnotto wants to clinch up but Dong keeps it at a distance.
Good leg kick by Pagnotto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Dong slips a jab and a cross from Pagnotto.
Dong takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Pagnotto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dong paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nino Pagnotto clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Hakeem Alaju Dong's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pagnotto moves in looking to clinch but Dong pushes him off.

Pagnotto drives through and clinches with Dong against the cage.
Pagnotto scores with a hook to the body.
Pagnotto is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Dong is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Pagnotto is keeping busy.
Dong is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dong tries to pull guard but Pagnotto won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pagnotto slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dong tries to score a body lock takedown but Pagnotto shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Pagnotto.
Dong tries to bum rush Pagnotto with a series of wild strikes but Pagnotto uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dong shoots in looking for a takedown. Pagnotto tries to sprawl out of it but Dong keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pagnotto manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nino Pagnotto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hakeem Alaju Dong.
Pagnotto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dong misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nino Pagnotto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dong is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pagnotto thuds a left hand into Dong's body.

Pagnotto darts in and clinches Dong up against the cage.

Pagnotto breaks from the clinch.
Dong takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Pagnotto feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dong's calf.
Pagnotto misses with a double jab.
Pagnotto works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Pagnotto throws a series of punches but Dong moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pagnotto misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pagnotto wants to clinch.
Pagnotto looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nino Pagnotto is winning the standup battle so far.
Pagnotto cracks the inside of Dong's front leg.

Pagnotto clinches up with Dong and pushes him back against the cage.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pagnotto feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dong's calf.

Pagnotto moves into range and clinches up with Dong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pagnotto lands an elbow inside that Dong shrugs off.
Pagnotto tries to land a knee to the head but Dong blocks with his arms.

Pagnotto breaks from the clinch.
Pagnotto thows a body shot but no joy.
Pagnotto throws the left hand but Dong avoids the punch easily.
Pagnotto moves in looking to clinch but Dong pushes him off.

Pagnotto has managed to clinch.

Pagnotto manages to break the clinch.
Pagnotto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dong can do to turn this around?
Pagnotto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Pagnotto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nino Pagnotto had his way with Hakeem Alaju Dong in that round.
The cut man is working on Hakeem Alaju Dong's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Dong slips a jab and a cross from Pagnotto.
No joy there for Pagnotto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pagnotto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dong.
Dong circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pagnotto is looking to clinch but Dong is avoiding it.
Pagnotto tries to close the distance and clinch but Dong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pagnotto, right into the meat.
Pagnotto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pagnotto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pagnotto listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Pagnotto gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pagnotto lands an elbow just above Dong 's eye.
Pagnotto leaning his opponent against the cage.
Pagnotto gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Dong is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Pagnotto manages to break the clinch.
Pagnotto is looking to clinch but Dong is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dong takes a kick to the side of the head.
Dong checks a leg kick nicely.
Pagnotto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dong paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pagnotto throws a nice inside leg kick.

Pagnotto has taken the fight to the clinch.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dong dodges the punch combination from Pagnotto.
Pagnotto swinging wilding here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dong circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dong avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pagnotto is looking to wear down Dong with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Dong avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pagnotto tries to clinch up but Dong circles away and keeps his distance.
Dong keeps the fight on the outside.
Pagnotto doesn't manage to clinch there - Dong circles away.
Pagnotto is looking to land body kicks.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pagnotto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dong takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Pagnotto closes the distance and clinches.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pagnotto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Pagnotto has managed to clinch.
Pagnotto stalling in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pagnotto manages to break the clinch.
Pagnotto connects with a high kick.
Hakeem Alaju Dong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pagnotto doesn't manage to clinch there - Dong circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nino Pagnotto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pagnotto, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 50:44
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 50:44
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nino Pagnotto!
Nino Pagnotto retains his welterweight title!