PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tangaroa Ngata (ranked 2937 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrew West (ranked 4393 p4p, 0 weight class). Ngata's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Soundcritters - Haka War Chant. West is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Roy Jones - Can't be touched. 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.

Ngata
vs
West

185 cm
34
181 lbs
18 - 12 - 0

180 cm
32
179 lbs
22 - 27 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

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 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tangaroa Ngata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andrew West!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ngata has taken the fight to the clinch.

Ngata escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
West throws a combination. Ngata tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
West misses with a few strikes there.
West misses with a straight right.
West rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ngata moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ngata slips a jab and a cross from West.

Ngata drives through and clinches with West against the cage.
West makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from West.

West pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ngata drives through and clinches with West against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

West breaks from the clinch.
Ngata wants to clinch up but West keeps it at a distance.

West gets tackled into the cage by Ngata. Ngata maintains the clinch.
West misses with the head strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Ngata.
Ngata misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Ngata breaks the clinch.

Ngata moves into the clinch successfully.
Ngata misses with a body punch.
West misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West blocks an uppercut.
Ngata lands a right hand.
Ngata tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ngata struggles to land a body shot inside as West controls his hands.

West breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ngata moves into the clinch successfully.

West escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ngata looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ngata looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ngata slips a straight right by West.
West avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ngata drives through and clinches with West against the cage.
Ngata blocks an elbow strike.
A short right from West on the inside.
Ngata tries a body shot but West blocks it.
Ngata takes a knee right on the jaw!
A head punch on the inside from Ngata fails to land.
Ngata has a couple of punches blocked by West.
Ngata tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right handed body shot lands from Ngata.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ngata misses with the head strike.
Ngata on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ngata.
Ngata throws a head punch that misses.

West escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ngata moves into the clinch.

West's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ngata is looking to clinch but West is avoiding it.
Ngata fails in his attempt to clinch.
West lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ngata moves in looking to clinch but West pushes him off.
Ngata tries to close the distance and clinch up but West swats him away and circles back towards the center.
West swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ngata tries to clinch but West is having none of it.
Ngata tries to clinch up but West circles away and keeps his distance.
West fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ngata's corner calls for a 1-2. Ngata obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

It looks like Andrew West has been cut.
Ngata tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ngata stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from West.
West avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
West tries to bum rush Ngata with a series of wild strikes but Ngata uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ngata connects with a right hand. West shakes it off.
West walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
West misses with a few strikes there.
Ngata dodges the punch combination from West.
Ngata takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ngata is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Ngata has closed the distance and engaged West in a clinch.
Ngata blocks an elbow strike.
Ngata misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ngata lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
West looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ngata swings wildly with an uppercut but West uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ngata throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Wests head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
West working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ngata goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
West misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ngata misses with a hook to the ribs.
West blocks an uppercut.
Ngata misses with the head strike.
West misses with the head strike.
Ngata blocks an elbow strike.
Ngata misses with the head strike.
West wants to get back to striking at distance but Ngata won't allow it.
West misses with an elbow strike.

Ngata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
West keeps the fight on the outside.
Ngata wants to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ngata tries to clinch but West is having none of it.
An inside leg kick from West misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ngata looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
West scores with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Andrew West will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Andrew West'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.

West throws a combination. Ngata tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ngata looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ngata fails with an attempt to clinch.
West is looking for the big counter here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
West misses with an elbow strike.
Ngata misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ngata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ngata lands a body shot in the clinch.
West is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ngata is defending well for now.
West blocks a body shot from Ngata.
Ngata blocks the elbow strike.
West working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
West is trying to stall.
Ngata tries to throw a body punch but West avoids it by throwing Ngata back against the cage.
West throws an elbow but it misses.
Ngata keeps control of West as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
West blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
West throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ngata fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
West blocking some punches.

West breaks from the clinch.
West throws a right and a left that both miss.
West lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Ngata has West up against the cage in a clinch.
Ngata misses with a punch on the inside.

Ngata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ngata tries to clinch but West is having none of it.
West misses with a wild combination.
Ngata is looking to counter punch.
Ngata tries to close the distance and clinch up but West swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ngata tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. West manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
West misses with a head kick.
West misses with a wild combination.
West misses with a two punch combination.
Andrew West is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ngata tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but West paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ngata tries to clinch up but West circles away and keeps his distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ngata tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but West paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ngata fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ngata wants to clinch.
West throws a body shot but no joy.
West misses with a wild combination.
West misses with a wild combination.
Ngata tries to clinch up
and West counters with a three punch combo that has Ngata backing up. Ngata nods at West to acknowledge the strikes.
Ngata tries to clinch there but West circles away.
Ngata doesn't manage to clinch there - West circles away.
West misses with a jab, cross combination.
Donk. West catches Ngata right on the button with a cross.
Ngata scores with a jab to the head.
Ngata dodges the punch combination from West.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
West fails to land with a series of punches.
A counter left hand to the body from Ngata misses its target.
West keeps the fight on the outside.
Ngata is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ngata scores with a jab to the body.
Ngata tries to clinch up.
West has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ngata throws a right hand that misses
and West counters with a left and a right that stings Ngata.
Ngata is looking to clinch.
West feints and then cracks Ngata's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ngata down.
Ngata tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. West manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ngata moves to clinch but West breaks away
and West counters with a one-two to the body.
Ngata tries to clinch up.
Ngata tries to close the distance and clinch up but West swats him away and circles back towards the center.
West circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ngata moves away from the strike by West.
Sloppy strikes from West. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ngata tries to clinch but West is having none of it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fight stays on the outside here - Ngata looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ngata tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
West circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ngata takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
West avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
West keeps the fight on the outside.
Sloppy strikes from West. Those never looked like landing.
Ngata wants to clinch.
West tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
West swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
West circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ngata tries to clinch there but West circles away.
Ngata tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
West looking to land some kicks to the body here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew West showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andrew West's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

West throws a one two combo.

Ngata has West up against the cage in a clinch.
Ngata can't find room to land a body shot as West controls the action.
Ngata throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
West trying to land knees to the body.
A short left from Ngata.
West prevents a body shot from Ngata.

Ngata escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ngata doesn't manage to clinch there - West circles away.
Ngata tries to clinch but West is having none of it.
West scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ngata tries to clinch up.
West misses with a double jab.
Ngata is looking to clinch.
West takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ngata looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ngata doesn't manage to clinch there - West circles away.
West misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West keeps the fight on the outside.
A cross from Ngata lands.
West avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
West throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ngata.
An attempted straight right counter from Ngata misses the target.
Ngata tries to clinch up but West circles away and keeps his distance.
Tangaroa Ngata seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
West throws a sloppy head kick and Ngata moves out of range easily.

Ngata closes the distance and clinches.
Ngata misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ngata avoids the elbow strike from West, against the cage.
West is trying to force a seperation but Ngata has the dominant position.
West misses with an elbow strike.
West is trying to break the clinch but Ngata has him pressed against the cage.
West's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ngata wants to get back to striking at distance but West won't allow it.

West's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ngata fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ngata tries to clinch up.
West is looking for the big counter here.
Ngata tries to clinch there but West circles away.
Ngata doesn't manage to clinch there - West circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ngata doesn't manage to clinch there - West circles away.
West avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
West waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ngata.
Ngata tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Andrew West seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Ngata clinches up against the cage.
Ngata tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

West manages to break the clinch.
West throws a nice looking combination but Ngata bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
West fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ngata tries to clinch but West moves out of range.

West fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ngata, pushing him back against the cage.
West has a couple of punches blocked by Ngata.
Ngata swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ngata.
West has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ngata tries a body shot but West blocks it.
Tangaroa Ngata has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ngata escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ngata wants to clinch.
As Ngata backs off West throws a huge counter combo but Ngata manages to avoid it all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
West circles away from the clinch attempt
and West counters with a series of strikes. Ngata will be more careful next time no doubt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ngata looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ngata fails with an attempt to clinch.
West circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ngata tries to clinch up.
West throws a front kick that sends Ngata stumbling back into the cage.
Ngata tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but West paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ngata tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
West throws a counter combo.
Ngata moves in looking to clinch but West pushes him off.
Sloppy strikes from West. Those never looked like landing.
West swats away the attempt to clinch by Ngata.
Ngata tries to clinch but West is having none of it.
West doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
West is looking to slow Ngata down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ngata tries to clinch but West moves out of range.
West now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Ngata is looking to clinch but West is avoiding it.
Ngata misses with a body shot.
Ngata wants to clinch up but West keeps it at a distance.
Ngata tries to clinch up but West circles away and keeps his distance.
Ngata closes the distance but West moves to the side
and West counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Ngata tries to keep at a distance but West has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
West lands an elbow just above Ngata 's eye.

Ngata pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ngata closes the distance looking to clinch
and West counters with a three punch combo that has Ngata backing up. Ngata nods at West to acknowledge the strikes.
Ngata tries to clinch up but West circles away and keeps his distance.
West throws a series of punches but Ngata moves out of range.
West avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Andrew West is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ngata wants to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew West comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got West 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrew West!
Andrew West decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.