PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tangaroa Ngata (ranked 1180 p4p, 170 weight class) and Alastair Dunn (ranked 4680 p4p, 508 weight class). Ngata comes to the cage accompanied by Soundcritters - Haka War Chant. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Ngata
vs
Dunn

185 cm
33
181 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

188 cm
26
183 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tangaroa Ngata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alastair Dunn!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Atkins and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ngata closes the distance and pushes Dunn back into the cage.

Dunn drags the fight down to the ground.
Ngata stops Dunn from standing up.

Dunn manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Dunn lands a takedown into guard.
Ngata looking for a sweep. Not yet Ngata, not yet.
Dunn with a nice head shot there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dunn throws a big right hand that misses.
Ngata wants to sweep here but Dunn controlling him for the moment.
Dunn throws a big right hand that misses.
Dunn is looking to work some ground and pound but Ngata has wrist control.
Dunn trying to control but Ngata is working from the bottom.
Ngata has momentary wrist control but Dunn slips an elbow through the middle.
Dunn throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dunn with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ngata wants to sweep here but Dunn controlling him for the moment.
Dunn trying to control but Ngata is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ngata is on top in guard.

Ngata's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Dunn has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Ngata off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Dunn scores with a hook.
Dunn shoots in for a double leg but Ngata sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The crowd cheers as Ngata lands an impressive looking overhand right. Dunn doesn't seem phased though.

Ngata fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dunn, pushing him back against the cage.
Dunn blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dunn wants a takedown.
Dunn drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ngata gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ngata definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tangaroa Ngata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alastair Dunn.
Ngata misses with some punches.
Ngata throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Dunns head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dunn fails to pull guard.
Ngata working aggressively here.
Ngata goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ngata pushes Dunn back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ngata tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ngata misses with a hook to the ribs.

Dunn manages to break the clinch.
Dunn misses with the combination.
Tangaroa Ngata seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ngata fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ngata clinches up with Dunn and pushes him back against the cage.
Ngata swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ngata misses with a body punch.
Dunn is looking for a takedown.
Dunn wants a takedown.
Ngata tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Ngata escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ngata lands a jab to Dunn's midsection.
Ngata is looking to clinch but Dunn is avoiding it.
Ngata tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dunn paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dunn dives in and grabs Ngata's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ngata pushes down on Dunn's head and hops out.
Ngata stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ngata wants it to stay on the feet.
Ngata displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dunn.
Dunn looks winded!

Ngata gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ngata scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Dunn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ngata lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ngata tries to throw a body punch but Dunn avoids it by throwing Ngata back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ngata lands a nice uppercut.

Ngata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dunn shoots in and drives through. Ngata sprawls well.
Dunn misses with an uppercut. Ngata saw that one coming.

Ngata takes the fight into the clinch.
Ngata working aggressively here.
Dunn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ngata digs a right hand into Dunn's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dunn's gas tank.
Dunn tries for a takedown but Ngata manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tangaroa Ngata dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ngata tries to clinch up.
Ngata dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ngata looks to land a left hand but Dunn moved out of range nicely.
Ngata wants to clinch.
Ngata has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ngata there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ngata is looking to clinch but Dunn is avoiding it.
Ngata tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dunn swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dunn changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ngata wants to clinch up but Dunn keeps it at a distance.
Dunn with the counter takedown but Ngata avoids it easily.
Dunn looks for a takedown but Ngata sprawls well.
Dunn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ngata.
A little jabbing left from Dunn on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Alastair Dunn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Dunn looking to score a takedown here. Ngata is defending well but Dunn drives through and ends up in Ngata's guard.
Ngata avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dunn postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ngata 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.
Ngata is working hard here to advance position.
Dunn wants to control from the top but Ngata keeps moving.
Ngata wants to sweep here but Dunn controlling him for the moment.
Dunn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dunn working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dunn throws a big right hand that misses.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ngata working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dunn.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Dunn is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ngata sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ngata tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dunn swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dunn is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tangaroa Ngata is winning the standup battle so far.
Dunn keeps the fight on the outside.
Dunn looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Ngata closes the distance and pushes Dunn back into the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Ngata fails to land.
Ngata tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dunn's elbow.

Ngata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ngata tries to clinch but Dunn is having none of it.

Dunn fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ngata to the ground. Dunn is now in Ngata's guard.
Dunn trying to control the position from guard on top but Ngata is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dunn lands a couple of digs.
Alastair Dunn has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dunn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dunn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ngata is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ngata's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dunn accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dunn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ngata tries to sprawl but Dunn drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Ngata is controlling Dunn's trapped leg to prevent Dunn from advancing to side control.
Dunn wants to take a breather but Ngata is having none of it.
Ngata avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dunn.
Dunn working the head and body with strikes.
Dunn throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Dunn in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ngata is looking to improve his position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Dunn in particular looking to stall.
Dunn sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ngata defending well though.
Dunn not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Dunn trying to pass the guard but Ngata defending well.

Dunn wants to work for an arm triangle but Ngata is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Dunn lands a nice short elbow.
Dunn wants to take a breather but Ngata is having none of it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alastair Dunn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ngata doesn't manage to clinch there - Dunn circles away.
Ngata tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dunn manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And Dunn tries to counter it with a takedown but Ngata pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ngata wants to clinch up but Dunn keeps it at a distance.
Ngata displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dunn.
Ngata slips a jab and a cross from Dunn.
Dunn misses with an uppercut. Ngata saw that one coming.
Dunn shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ngata lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Dunn manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ngata on his heels. He'll look to pass Ngata's guard now, I'm sure.
Ngata trying to keep a closed guard but Dunn is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ngata is pulling down on Dunn's head. It's preventing any offense from Dunn, at least for the moment.
Dunn wants to control from the top but Ngata keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ngata pulls Dunn in close to his closed guard and prevents Dunn from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ngata keeping moving, preventing Dunn from controlling successfully.
Ngata working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dunn.
Ngata trying to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ngata doesn't manage to clinch there - Dunn circles away.
Ngata tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dunn manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ngata tries to clinch there but Dunn circles away.
Dunn swats away the attempt to clinch by Ngata.

That's two 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.
Dunn circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dunn swats away the attempt to clinch by Ngata.

Ngata gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Ngata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Dunn gets tackled into the cage by Ngata. Ngata maintains the clinch.
Ngata tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dunn drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ngata pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tangaroa Ngata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alastair Dunn.
Ngata moves to clinch but Dunn breaks away

and Dunn counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ngata keeping moving, preventing Dunn from controlling successfully.
Dunn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ngata keeping moving, preventing Dunn from controlling successfully.
Dunn is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ngata controlling the position.
Dunn working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ngata's head.
Dunn must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dunn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dunn trying to control but Ngata is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Dunn shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ngata sprawls well. Ngata wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dunn gets slowly back to his feet.
Ngata tries to clinch but Dunn is having none of it.

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.
Ngata tries to clinch but Dunn moves out of range.
Ngata takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Ngata instigates a clinch.
Dunn wants to take the fight to the mat but Ngata manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ngata tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ngata throws a head punch that misses.
Ngata scores with a shot to the side of Dunn's head.
Dunn is struggling to control the position.
Dunn is working for takedown but Ngata is calmly controlling the position for now.
Dunn takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Ngata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dunn changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ngata tries to avoid it but Dunn manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ngata to the ground. Ngata escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ngata throwing a counter right hand but Dunn manages to avoid it.
Dunn shoots in for a takedown but Ngata shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ngata is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alastair Dunn.
I think Dunn 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alastair Dunn!
A victorious Alastair Dunn thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.