PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Locke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keiji Numa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Locke comes to the cage accompanied by Star Wars - Imperial March. Numa has chosen You're Going Down as his entrance music. 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.

Locke
vs
Numa

185 cm
43
198 lbs
21 - 13 - 0

169 cm
36
188 lbs
21 - 31 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

>>> Blitz Formula 5000 (159++)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, John Locke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 31 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Keiji Numa!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Bruno Hogan and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Numa connects with a leg kick. Locke looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Numa looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Locke!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Numa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Locke, who protects the arm well.

Numa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Locke is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Locke gets back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Numa wants to work for an arm triangle but Locke is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Numa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Numa wants to work for an arm triangle but Locke is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Numa is taking a breather. Locke says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Locke is defending against the submission attempts here by Numa.

Numa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Locke is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Numa pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Numa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Locke wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Locke works his way to full guard. Good work.
Numa trying to control but Locke is working from the bottom.

Numa has gone for a leg lock! Locke slips out almost immediately though and dives into Numa's guard.

Numa is looking for a triangle but Locke pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Locke trying to control but Numa is working from the bottom.
Numa wants to sweep but no luck.

Locke avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Numa working for a triangle but Locke defends it easily.
Locke will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Numa keeping moving, preventing Locke from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Numa looking to control.

Numa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Numa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Locke is controlling him.
Locke tries to free his leg and advance position but Numa is retaining full guard.
Numa is trying to control the position but Locke postures up.

Numa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Numa is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Numa has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Locke should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Numa has tightened it up now! Locke should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Keiji Numa!
A relieved looking Keiji Numa thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.