PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kuma Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khalid Hayes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nelson's entrance music is The Sound of Silence. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Hayes's choice of entrance music: Flight of Icarus. 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.

Nelson
vs
Hayes

194 cm
33
212 lbs
29 - 8 - 0

180 cm
33
203 lbs
32 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
Mohito Fightwear

Spartan Nutrition
Pearson Specter Litt

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kuma Nelson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, Khalid Hayes!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nelson moves out of range of the body kick from Hayes.
Hayes has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Nelson is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Nelson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nelson misses with a body kick.
Hayes walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nelson takes one to the chin there.
Nelson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Nelson throws a body kick that misses

and Hayes counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nelson won't be happy with that.
Hayes is looking to take a break and control but Nelson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nelson tries to bench press Hayes off him but Hayes keeps the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nelson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Hayes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hayes moves nicely into side control.
Hayes landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayes landing a few strikes.
Hayes scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Nelson to see if he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hayes is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nelson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Nelson is trying to control Hayes's posture but Hayes avoids it.
Hayes trying to control the position but Nelson is working away.
Hayes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hayes throws an elbow but Nelson slips to the side and avoids it well.
Hayes misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Hayes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nelson keeps working.

Hayes tries for a kimura but Nelson is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson is looking to reverse the position.
Nelson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hayes off and has taken his back!

Nelson looking for the RNC.
Nelson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nelson trying to control momentarily.
Nelson misses with punches from the back.
Nelson wants to control the position but Hayes frees himself and scrambles - Nelson manages to regain control in side control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hayes regains half guard, as Nelson was trying to land strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes is pressing down on Nelson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hayes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Hayes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nelson defends it easily.
Hayes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nelson throwing strikes but missing.
Hayes keeping full guard, as Nelson tries to pass.

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.
Nelson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nelson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Nelson wants to control from the top but Hayes keeps moving.
Hayes working a defensive guard here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Hayes lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Nelson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Nelson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
It looked like Nelson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hayes scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nelson looks to score with a jab to the body but Hayes is just out of range.
Hayes scores with a hook to the body. Nelson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khalid Hayes dominated that round.
That's time! Nelson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nelson cracks Hayes with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nelson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hayes throws out the jab.
Nelson seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Nelson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hayes throws out the jab.
A big right from Hayes misses.
Hayes tries to land a front kick but Nelson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nelson throws an off balance right hand
letting Hayes counter with a right hand.
Hayes throws a body kick that misses.
Nelson tries a head kick but it misses.
Nelson connects with a looping right hand.
Hayes throws a leg kick
and Nelson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A big right from Nelson misses.
Hayes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hayes fakes the leg kick and cracks Nelson in the body.
Hayes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice body kick from Hayes.
Nelson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hayes slips a straight right by Nelson.
Nelson throws the left hand but Hayes avoids the punch easily.
Hayes thumps Nelson with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson throws an overhand right that lands on Hayes's shoulder, as Hayes tries to avoid the shot.
Hayes with the counter takedown but Nelson avoids it easily.
Nelson misses with an uppercut
and Hayes counters with an outside leg kick.
Nelson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hayes misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nelson quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Nelson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hayes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nelson.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nelson checks a leg kick.
Hayes scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hayes misses with a body kick.
Hayes takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hayes throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nelson counters with a low kick, right behind Hayes 's knee.
Hayes throws a sloppy head kick
and Nelson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nelson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
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!
Nelson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hayes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nelson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Hayes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hayes throws a leg kick but Nelson sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hayes tries to counter by closing the distance.
Nelson missing with a left hand there. Hayes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nelson moves out of range of the leg kick from Hayes.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hayes, as that shot connected.
Nelson slips a straight right by Hayes.
Khalid Hayes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nelson misses with a series of wild punches.
Hayes throws a front kick aimed at Nelson's knee but Nelson avoids it well.
Hayes looks to land a body kick but Nelson moved away.
Hayes throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nelson misses the jab.
Nelson slips under a jab from Hayes.
An inside leg kick lands from Hayes.
Nelson works the jab nicely.
Nelson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hayes misses with a low kick.
Nice cross by Hayes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes blocks a head kick by Nelson.
Nelson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hayes tries to counter with a clinch but Nelson shakes him off and moves away.
Hayes lands with a nice body kick.
Hayes scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hayes throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hayes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hayes throws the kick towards the body but Nelson avoids it.
Hayes connects with an inside leg kick.
Nelson scores with a nice body kick.
Nelson tests Hayes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hayes with a jab.
Hayes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nelson misses with a body shot.
Nelson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nelson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Hayes misses with a left hand
and Nelson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hayes thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson misses the shot to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Nelson.
Hayes lands with a shot to the body.
Nelson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nelson lands a head shot.
Hayes throws a hook but Nelson avoids it easily.
Hayes looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hayes checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hayes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nelson.
Hayes is looking to slow Nelson down with leg kicks.
Hayes misses with a straight left.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nelson, as that shot connected.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hayes connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hayes misses with an uppercut.

Hayes has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hayes blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nelson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Khalid Hayes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Hayes takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hayes. That's going to slow Nelson down.
Hayes misses with a low kick.
Hayes fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nelson checks it well.
Nelson looks to throw the jab but Hayes is out of range.
Nelson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nelson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hayes throws a body punch but Nelson moves out of range.
Hayes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nelson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hayes slips under a jab.
Hayes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nelson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayes tries to land a leg kick but Nelson saw it coming and moves away.
Hayes on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nelson. Nelson obviously looking to wear him down.
Hayes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nelson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hayes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nelson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hayes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayes tries to clinch but Nelson is having none of it.
A quick step to the side and Nelson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nelson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hayes.
Hayes throws the kick towards the body but Nelson avoids it.
Hayes dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nelson. That did some damage!
Hayes has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nelson.
Hayes wants to land a leg kick but Nelson is out of range.
Hayes lands a nice looking body shot.
Hayes fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nelson.
Hayes tries to clinch but Nelson is having none of it.
Nelson looks to score with a jab to the body but Hayes is just out of range.
Nelson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
An inside leg kick from Nelson misses.
Nelson moves out of range of the body kick from Hayes.
Hayes throws a wild body kick that Nelson sees coming a mile off.
Nelson dips to his left and cracks Hayes with an uppercut!
Nelson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Khalid Hayes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayes takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nelson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hayes connects with an inside leg kick.
Hayes lands with a good body shot.
Hayes smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hayes takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nelson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nelson throws a head kick but Hayes moves out of range.
Nice cross by Nelson.
Khalid Hayes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nelson moves forwards but Hayes connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kuma Nelson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hayes connects with a crisp jab.
Hayes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nelson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hayes throws a leg kick which misses Nelson's front leg but catches the back leg as Nelson tries to avoid it.
Nelson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hayes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nelson throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nelson looks to land a left hand but Hayes moved out of range nicely.
Hayes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hayes moves out of range of the strikes.
Hayes throws a leg kick which misses Nelson's front leg but catches the back leg as Nelson tries to avoid it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hayes.
Hayes slips a jab from Nelson.
Hayes feints a counter leg kick.
The fighters circling - Nelson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nelson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hayes.
Nelson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hayes lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nelson's sensitive parts.
Hayes scores with a kick to the body.
Hayes takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nelson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kuma Nelson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nelson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hayes misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hayes. Nelson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hayes lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hayes looks to score with a jab to the body but Nelson is just out of range.
Hayes tries to land a body kick
letting Nelson counter with a right hand.
Hayes throws a shot to the body.
Nelson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hayes.
Hayes connects with a leg kick. Nelson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nelson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Hayes throws a shot from downtown. Nelson moves away and avoids it.
Good standup being displayed there by Hayes as he connects with a hook.
Nelson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Nelson wants to slow Hayes down by chopping away at his legs.
Nelson looks to land a left hand but Hayes moved out of range nicely.

Hayes pushes Nelson up against the cage in a clinch.
Nelson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nelson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nelson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Khalid Hayes.
I've got Hayes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Khalid Hayes!
After the fight, Khalid Hayes was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.