PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tatenda Ihejirika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nelson Country (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tatenda Ihejirika could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nelson Country's chin.

Ihejirika
vs
Country

165 cm
23
261 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

183 cm
21
270 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tatenda Ihejirika!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Nelson Country!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Nard Betker and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ihejirika misses with an uppercut. Country saw that one coming.
Country tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ihejirika sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Country somewhat.
Ihejirika misses with a wild body shot.
Ihejirika scores with a kick to the body.
Ihejirika throws a right and a left that Country avoids nicely.
Ihejirika throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ihejirika misses with a series of wild punches.
Country tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ihejirika swivels and escapes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ihejirika fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Country avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ihejirika throws a hook but Country blocks it.
Country ducks under a wild hook from Ihejirika.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Country tries to clinch but Ihejirika moves out of range.
Ihejirika throws a head kick that misses.
Ihejirika swings widly with a right hand

and Country counters with a single leg into guard. Ihejirika didn't expect that.
Country throws a strike but Ihejirika rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ihejirika preventing the sweep.
Country pulls Ihejirika in close to prevent any damage.
Country keeping moving, preventing Ihejirika from controlling successfully.
Ihejirika trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Country escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ihejirika gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Country told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

Ihejirika drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ihejirika jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ihejirika working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Country has his hands on Ihejirika's head, controlling the position.
Ihejirika trying to control the position from guard on top but Country is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Country trying to control the position.

Country working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ihejirika doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ihejirika manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ihejirika wants to control from the top but Country keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Country tries to strike from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ihejirika with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Tatenda Ihejirika seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sloppy strikes from Ihejirika. Those never looked like landing.
Country goes for a double leg but Ihejirika avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ihejirika continues to drive forward.
Tatenda Ihejirika has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelson Country.
Country tries to pull guard but Ihejirika forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A body shot lands from Ihejirika.
Ihejirika dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Country tries for a takedown but Ihejirika manages to get underhooks.
Country has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ihejirika is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Country is working for takedown but Ihejirika is calmly controlling the position for now.
Country jumps guard but Ihejirika turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A left hand lands to the body for Ihejirika.
Country looks winded!
Ihejirika has Country pressed against the cage.
Country tries to pull guard but Ihejirika won't allow it.
Ihejirika tries to work over Country's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ihejirika tries to work over Country's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ihejirika tries to land knees in the clinch but Country avoids the damage to the body.
Ihejirika lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Country backwards.
A short right from Ihejirika.
Ihejirika will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Country up against the cage.
Ihejirika landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ihejirika is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Ihejirika's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatenda Ihejirika dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ihejirika throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ihejirika misses with a series of wild punches.
Ihejirika misses with the combination.
Country dodges the punch combination from Ihejirika.
A combination from Ihejirika does no damage.
Ihejirika misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ihejirika. Country shrugs it off though.
Ihejirika misses the shot to the body.
Country on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Country ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ihejirika loads up on a big right hand but Country slips the punch.
Ihejirika looks to land a combination but Country avoids it well.
Tatenda Ihejirika is winning the standup battle so far.
Ihejirika throws a series of punches but Country avoids them all with ease.
Country looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ihejirika is fending him off so far but Country persists. Nope, Ihejirika circles away and we're back to standing.
A combination from Ihejirika does no damage.

Ihejirika forces Country back against the cage and clinches.
Country tries to pull guard but Ihejirika forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Country tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ihejirika just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tatenda Ihejirika has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelson Country.
Country has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ihejirika after a bit of a struggle.
Ihejirika taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Country changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ihejirika fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ihejirika thumps Country with a low kick.
Tatenda Ihejirika is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Country slips a jab and a cross from Ihejirika.
Country has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Ihejirika.
Country is breathing heavily.

Country gets tackled into the cage by Ihejirika. Ihejirika maintains the clinch.
Ihejirika lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Nelson Country has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Country tries for a takedown but Ihejirika manages to get underhooks.
Ihejirika presses Country against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ihejirika is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Country can do to turn this around?

Ihejirika's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Country checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ihejirika connects with a good right hand that stumbles Country. Country circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ihejirika throws a series of punches but Country moves out of range.
Ihejirika misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Country shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ihejirika manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ihejirika is trying to control the position but Country postures up.
Ihejirika pulls Country in close to his closed guard and prevents Country from doing any damage or advancing position.

Ihejirika looking for a guillotine here but Country defends easily.
Country throwing strikes from guard but Ihejirika blocks nicely.
Country stopping the sweep attempt from Ihejirika.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ihejirika trying to control the position.
Country trying to control the position from guard on top but Ihejirika is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ihejirika pulls Country in close to prevent any damage.
Ihejirika wants to get back to his feet but Country is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Country shoots in but Ihejirika avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ihejirika looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatenda Ihejirika dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nelson Country's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Ihejirika looks to land a combination but Country avoids it well.
Ihejirika lands with an overhand left.
Ihejirika throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Country.
Ihejirika ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ihejirika tries to bum rush Country with a series of wild strikes but Country uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ihejirika misses with an uppercut.
Country shoots in for a takedown but Ihejirika shows good takedown defense.
A combination from Ihejirika does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Country shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ihejirika as he avoids it easily.
Country shoots in looking for a takedown but Ihejirika manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Country's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tatenda Ihejirika has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelson Country.
Country slips a jab and a cross from Ihejirika.
Country takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ihejirika throws out a loose jab but Country uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ihejirika throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Ihejirika rushes Country and presses him up against the cage.
Ihejirika lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Country.
Ihejirika pushes Country back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Ihejirika breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ihejirika misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ihejirika throws a head kick but Country moves out of range.
Ihejirika fails to land with a series of punches.
Ihejirika fails to land with a series of punches.
Ihejirika misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Country uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ihejirika.

Country moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Country jumps guard but Ihejirika turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Country gets control of Ihejirika's arms and successfully pulls guard. Country will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ihejirika trying to control the position from guard on top but Country is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ihejirika working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ihejirika stopping the sweep attempt from Country.
Ihejirika trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ihejirika is working Country over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Country controlling the position.
Country is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Country preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Country working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ihejirika.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Country controls Ihejirika momentarily but Ihejirika frees himself.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Country dodges the punch combination from Ihejirika.
Ihejirika misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tatenda Ihejirika is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ihejirika tries to bum rush Country with a series of wild strikes but Country uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ihejirika fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Country manages to avoid it.
Ihejirika pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Country steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ihejirika.
Country fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ihejirika. Country does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ihejirika thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ihejirika fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Country fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ihejirika fails with an attempt to clinch.
Country dives in for a single leg takedown but Ihejirika sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ihejirika lands a shot to the body.
Ihejirika is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Country's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Ihejirika lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Country tries to pull guard but Ihejirika forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Country tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nelson Country has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ihejirika lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tatenda Ihejirika showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ihejirika, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tatenda Ihejirika!
A very excited looking Tatenda Ihejirika made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.