PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Ithamar (ranked 256 p4p, 32 weight class) and Neil Nucombe (ranked 1082 p4p, 127 weight class). Ithamar comes to the cage accompanied by Yamma Ensemble Psalms 104. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Ithamar
vs
Nucombe

176 cm
24
145 lbs
18 - 2 - 0

166 cm
30
166 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ezekiel Ithamar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Neil Nucombe!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ithamar goes for a double leg but Nucombe avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nucombe continues to drive forward.
Nucombe defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ithamar.
Ithamar shoots in but Nucombe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nucombe wants to counter the offense by Ithamar and move into the clinch position.
Ithamar has been working on his balance at Melhor Lutador MMA, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Nucombe.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Ithamar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ithamar fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nucombe wants to counter the offense by Ithamar and move into the clinch position.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nucombe.
Ithamar closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nucombe circles away.

Ithamar shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Nucombe manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nucombe keeping full guard, as Ithamar tries to pass.
Ithamar won't allow Nucombe to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ithamar postures up.
Ithamar is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nucombe keeping moving, preventing Ithamar from controlling successfully.
Ithamar showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nucombe controls Ithamar momentarily but Ithamar frees himself.
Ithamar tries to free his leg and advance position but Nucombe is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ithamar wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nucombe stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nucombe wants it to stay on the feet.

Ithamar takes the fight into the clinch.
Nucombe prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nucombe working aggressively here.
Ithamar leaning against his opponent.

Ithamar has picked Nucombe up - he's going for a ride! Ithamar dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Nucombe won't allow Ithamar to pass to mount.
Ithamar wants to control but Nucombe is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nucombe won't allow Ithamar to pass to mount.
Ithamar wants to take a breather but Nucombe is having none of it.
Ithamar moves nicely into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar wants to control for a moment but Nucombe uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

Ithamar is trying for a kimura here. Nucombe looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Ithamar wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ezekiel Ithamar!
Ezekiel Ithamar retains his lightweight title!
Post fight, Ezekiel Ithamar took to the microphone: 'But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws, of which I said, "Whoever obeys them will live by them," and they desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness.'.