PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Epeli Nailatikau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Stroud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nailatikau comes to the cage accompanied by Number of the Bollywood. Stroud is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Vallenfyre - Iconoclast. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Tom Stroud enters the cage!

Nailatikau
vs
Stroud

172 cm
26
162 lbs
13 - 11 - 0

178 cm
29
168 lbs
16 - 18 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Epeli Nailatikau!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 18 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Stroud!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stroud blocks a head kick by Nailatikau.
Stroud is looking to clinch but Nailatikau is avoiding it.
No luck for Nailatikau with that takedown attempt.
Stroud fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nailatikau manages to avoid it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Nailatikau jumps into guard, dragging Stroud to the mat.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Stroud working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Nailatikau looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Stroud puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Nailatikau wants to improve his position but Stroud is controlling well.
Stroud seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Nailatikau avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stroud.
Stroud seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nailatikau does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Nailatikau looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Stroud missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stroud is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau wants to control but Stroud is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stroud is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Stroud slips a nice elbow through Nailatikau's hands, connecting with Nailatikau's forehead.
Nailatikau wants to control but Stroud is keeping busy.

Nailatikau actively working from the bottom here.
Nailatikau wants to control but Stroud is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stroud prevents Nailatikau from improving his position.
Stroud looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau regains full guard. Nicely done.

Nailatikau escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stroud gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Nailatikau throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Stroud escapes and throws Nailatikau's legs to the side, diving into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nailatikau looking for a sweep but Stroud has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Stroud is landing with some decent strikes but Nailatikau is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Stroud scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Nailatikau?
Stroud dominating with strikes here.
Stroud has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stroud avoids the attempt from Nailatikau to control.
Stroud dominating with strikes here.
Stroud raining down shots from the mount!
Nailatikau working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroud lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Nailatikau tries to hold on but Stroud postures up.
Nailatikau working to try and regain half guard.
Stroud raining down shots from the mount!
Stroud lands a big elbow.
Nailatikau tries to lock up and control but Stroud gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Stroud looking for a guillotine from mount but Nailatikau is having none of it.
Stroud trying to control but Nailatikau is having none of it.
Nailatikau is looking to improve his position but Stroud isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stroud landing strikes from the mount and Nailatikau is in trouble!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stroud lands a couple of good shots and Nailatikau has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Nailatikau is in bad spot here.
Nailatikau trying to control the hands but Stroud won't let him.
You can see the frustration on Nailatikau's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Nailatikau is working hard here to advance position.
Nailatikau trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Stroud keeps control of the position as Nailatikau tries to break free.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Stroud. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nailatikau trying to control the hands but Stroud breaks the grip.
Stroud scores with punches from the back.
Stroud is riding his opponent, not letting Nailatikau buck him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Stroud 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.

Stroud drives through and clinches with Nailatikau against the cage.
Stroud is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nailatikau is defending well.
Our sources have told us that Nailatikau has been working on his elbows in the gym.

Nailatikau breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stroud walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nailatikau checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Stroud blocks a jab.
Tom Stroud is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nailatikau feints and then cracks Stroud's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stroud down.
Nailatikau lands a leg kick that knocks Stroud off balance momentarily.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick that misses.
Nailatikau lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Stroud checks a leg kick.
Nailatikau swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stroud moves in looking to clinch but Nailatikau pushes him off.
Stroud uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nailatikau.
A jab lands there for Nailatikau.
Nailatikau tries a head kick but it misses.
Stroud throws a jab when Nailatikau was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau thumps Stroud with a low kick.
Stroud on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Stroud shoots for a double leg takedown but Nailatikau sprawls well. He's pushed Stroud's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stroud looks to land a left hand but Nailatikau moved out of range nicely.
Epeli Nailatikau seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nailatikau connects with a solid leg kick.
Stroud misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nailatikau.
Stroud scores with the left hand. Nailatikau knows he should have avoided that one.
Nailatikau checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Stroud looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nailatikau lands an overhand right.
Stroud throws out a powerful jab.
Nailatikau stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nailatikau wants it to stay on the feet.
Epeli Nailatikau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Stroud.
Nailatikau displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stroud throws out the jab.
Stroud takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nailatikau fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stroud throws the left hand but Nailatikau avoids the punch easily.
Nailatikau has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stroud as he jumps to the side.
Stroud wants to land a leg kick but Nailatikau is out of range.
Nailatikau closes the distance and clinches up with Stroud, looking for a takedown. Nailatikau pushes Stroud against the cage but Stroud circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nailatikau closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stroud circles away.
A swing and a miss from Stroud.
Nailatikau keeps the fight on the outside.
Nailatikau scores with a jab to the head.
Stroud has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nailatikau.
Stroud looks to land a right hand but Nailatikau moved out of range.
Stroud tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nailatikau swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nailatikau jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

Stroud moves into the clinch.
Stroud is trying to break the clinch but Nailatikau has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroud is trying to maintain a safe position but Nailatikau gets an underhook and turns Stroud into the cage.
Stroud tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nailatikau is trying to pull guard but Stroud has him pressed against the cage.
Stroud wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stroud is trying to drag Nailatikau to the mat but Nailatikau just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Stroud misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stroud has had enough of the clinch but Nailatikau keeps him there for the moment.
Stroud tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stroud stalling the fight.
Stroud fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau is trying to pull guard but Stroud turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Stroud is struggling to control the position.
Nailatikau tries to pull guard but Stroud forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Stroud can't get the takedown.
A short left from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stroud tries to circle away but Nailatikau has him pinned against the cage.
Stroud looking to stall.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stroud drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nailatikau is trying to break the clinch but Stroud has him pressed against the cage.
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 Epeli Nailatikau will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Stroud motions for Nailatikau to come forward. Stroud throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Stroud looks to clinch

and Nailatikau counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Stroud wants to sweep but no luck.
Stroud lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Nailatikau!
Stroud avoids the attempt from Nailatikau to control.
Stroud scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Nailatikau is trying to escape the mount.
Stroud controlling from the full mount.
Nailatikau tries to hold on but Stroud postures up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stroud pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau is desperately trying to improve his position but Stroud has a good base and remains in mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stroud raining down shots from the mount!
Stroud unloading with bombs!
Stroud lands with some strikes.
Nailatikau is in a horrible position here. Stroud smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Stroud looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stroud tries to control but Nailatikau wriggling away.
Stroud putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Nailatikau regains half guard.
Stroud landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stroud is thwarting Nailatikau's attempts to control the position.
Nailatikau wants to improve his position but Stroud is controlling well.

Nailatikau with the active half guard here but Stroud passes nicely into side control.
Nailatikau is not content to let Stroud control the position.
Stroud working the ground and pound.
Stroud connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Nailatikau some visible discomfort.
Nailatikau takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Stroud cracks Nailatikau with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Nailatikau is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Nailatikau stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Nailatikau struggling a bit here.
Nailatikau tries to bench press Stroud off him but Stroud keeps the position.
Nailatikau takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Nailatikau taking a bit of punishment here - Stroud scoring with strikes.
Stroud working the ground and pound.
Stroud cracks Nailatikau with a big right hand but Nailatikau just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
What's Nailatikau going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Nailatikau is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stroud working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
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!
Nailatikau is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Nailatikau wants to get back to full guard.
Stroud trying to pass the guard but Nailatikau defending well.
Nailatikau wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stroud is nestled in close to Nailatikau, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Stroud wants to pass to mount but Nailatikau is defending the position.
Nailatikau controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Stroud comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stroud has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Stroud!
A relieved looking Tom Stroud thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.