PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Igor Nox (ranked 24477 p4p, 24543 weight class) and Thanos Reigns (ranked 681 p4p, 647 weight class). Thanos Reigns will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Nox
vs
Reigns

195 cm
26
170
1 - 7 - 0

182 cm
26
175
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

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 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Igor Nox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thanos Reigns!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Summer Carpenter and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nox shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Reigns pinned against the cage. Reigns gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nox circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nox. That's going to slow Reigns down.

Nox moves into the clinch successfully.
Nox really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Reigns goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Reigns connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Igor Nox has been cut.
Reigns putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Nox in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nox scores with a shoulder strike.
Knees in the clinch landing for Reigns.
Reigns throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nox dodges an elbow strike from Reigns.
Reigns misses with a knee strike.
Reigns looking to throw knees to the head but Nox is blocking nicely.
Nox just leaning against Reigns, taking a breather.
Nox blocking some punches.
Reigns tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nox trying to control the position but instead, Reigns has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nox into the cage.
Nox is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Reigns is defending well for now.
Reigns tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nox dodges an elbow strike from Reigns.
Reigns on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nox blocks the elbow strike.
Nox has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Reigns is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Reigns misses with a knee strike.
Nox is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nox missing with knees to the body.
Nox tries to land knees in the clinch but Reigns avoids the damage to the body.
Nox is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Igor Nox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reigns softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Reigns lands a knee to the body.
A shot in the inside from Reigns.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reigns misses with a short punch on the inside.
Reigns tries a body shot but Nox blocks it.
Reigns misses with a body punch.
Reigns throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nox blocks it with crossed arms.
Nox tries to land knees in the clinch but Reigns avoids the damage to the body.
Reigns struggles to land a body shot inside as Nox controls his hands.
Reigns scores a nice knee to the body.
Reigns tries a knee to the head but Nox blocks it.
Reigns looking to throw knees to the head but Nox is blocking nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reigns lands with a light punch inside.
Nox lands with a short shot to the head.
Reigns connects with a knee to the head.
Nox tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Reigns's elbow.
Reigns avoiding damage as Nox throws knees to the body.
Reigns lands an elbow inside.
Reigns with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nox takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Nox blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nox blocks a body shot from Reigns.
Reigns lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nox stalling the fight.
Nox takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nox has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Reigns is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Reigns misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nox.
Reigns tries a body shot but Nox blocks it.
Nox on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Reigns tries to land a knee to the head but Nox blocks with his arms.
Nice elbow from Reigns.
Nox missing with knees to the body.
Nox looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Reigns misses with a hook to the ribs.
Reigns using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Reigns blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nox misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Reigns.
Nox has Reigns pushed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nox trying to land knees to the body.
Nox takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nox is trying to break the clinch but Reigns has him pressed against the cage.
Nox prevents a body shot from Reigns.
A knee to the head by Reigns.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reigns has a couple of punches blocked by Nox.
Reigns managing to block the knees to the body from Nox.
Nox tries to land knees in the clinch but Reigns avoids the damage to the body.
Reigns lands a nice knee to the body.
Reigns misses with a knee strike.
Nox wants to take the fight to the mat but Reigns manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Nox blocks the elbow strike.
Reigns can't find room to land a body shot as Nox controls the action.
Reigns managing to block the knees to the body from Nox.
Reigns misses with a punch to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nox blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thanos Reigns dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Igor Nox's cut.
That's time! Nox's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nox dives in for a single leg takedown but Reigns sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nox uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Reigns.
Reigns ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nox moves away.
Nox seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Reigns tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nox swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nox fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nox checks a leg kick nicely.
Reigns checks a leg kick.
Nox throws a head kick but Reigns moves out of range.
Reigns tries to clinch but Nox moves out of range.
Reigns throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nox appears to be looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nox finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nox circles away from the clinch attempt.
Reigns stuffs the takedown attempt from Nox. Nox gets slowly back to his feet.
Reigns tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reigns checks a leg kick.
Nox tries to close the distance and clinch but Reigns swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nox misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Reigns wants to counter the offense by Nox and move into the clinch position.
Reigns takes a swing at Nox's ribcage but misses.

Nox fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Reigns sprawls well initially but Nox persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nox drops an elbow to the side of Reigns's head.
Reigns moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Reigns working for a triangle but Nox defends it easily.
Nox tries to free his leg and advance position but Reigns is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reigns has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nox can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nox lands a couple of digs.
Nox content to stall in guard here.
Nox will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nox landing some decent shots from guard.
Reigns wants to sweep here but Nox controlling him for the moment.
Nox postures up and lands a big shot to Reigns's brow.
Nox with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reigns is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nox defends well.
Nox slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Nox is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nox postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Reigns has momentary wrist control but Nox slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nox stands up over Reigns, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nox stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reigns swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nox content to stall in guard here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Reigns has his foot on Nox's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nox works his way back into a safe position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nox's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Nox dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Igor Nox's cut.
That's time! Nox's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Reigns takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nox misses with a kick to the body.
Nox shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Reigns as he jumps to the side.

Nox shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nox loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nox has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Reigns is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nox defends well.
Nox content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reigns escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nox gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nox is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nox got a little sloppy there for a moment and Reigns has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nox has managed to get both his arms back between Reigns's legs - danger averted.
Nox is stalling in the full guard.
Igor Nox overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Nox got a little sloppy there for a moment and Reigns has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nox has managed to get both his arms back between Reigns's legs - danger averted.
Nox controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nox throws a big elbow that misses.

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.

Reigns looking for a guillotine here but Nox defends easily.
Nox controlling from the top position.
Nox passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Nox lands a nice forearm strike.
Nox controls the position.

Nox decides to stand up, so the ref orders Reigns to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nox tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Reigns swivels and escapes.
Reigns tries to clinch but Nox moves out of range.
Reigns displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nox.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Igor Nox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nox throws a body kick that misses.

Reigns gets tackled into the cage by Nox. Nox maintains the clinch.
Nox is looking to control Reigns's arms but Reigns gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nox has his back to the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Reigns.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nox blocks an uppercut.
Reigns with a knee to the head.
Nox misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Reigns.
Reigns scores with a knee to the head.
Reigns lands a nice elbow.
Thanos Reigns seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right from Reigns on the inside.
Reigns connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nox's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nox takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nox looking to slow down the pace here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Reigns obliges.
Nox tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Reigns avoids it.
Reigns tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nox avoids the elbow strike from Reigns, against the cage.
Reigns working Nox over with knees to the body.
Reigns with a knee to the head.
Reigns managing to block the knees to the body from Nox.
Reigns has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nox throws a punch but it's blocked by Reigns.
Reigns tries to throw a body punch but Nox avoids it by throwing Reigns back against the cage.
A knee to the head by Reigns.
Nox tries to score a body lock takedown but Reigns shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Reigns lands a knee to the head.

Nox is rocked!
Nox takes a knee right on the jaw!
Oh Nox is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Reigns lands with a left to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thanos Reigns comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Reigns 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thanos Reigns!
Thanos Reigns took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'The biggest upset in the tournament!!! Wooooooohhhh!!!! '.
In defeat, Igor Nox stepped up to the mic, saying 'Das Leben ist kein Ponyhof. I'm happy to still have my friends, family, and fans. I try to not makes this a habit. Thanks everyone. '.