PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between anell Itchy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Ninja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Itchy
vs
Ninja

192 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

200 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, anell Itchy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Ninja!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Itchy lands a nice hook to Ninja's body. Ninja takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ninja shoots in looking for a takedown. Itchy tries to sprawl out of it but Ninja keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Itchy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Itchy has closed the distance and engaged Ninja in a clinch.
Ninja tries to pull guard but Itchy won't allow it.

Itchy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Itchy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Itchy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Itchy wants it to stay on the feet.
anell Itchy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Ninja.
Ninja avoids a punch combination nicely.
Itchy connects with a solid leg kick.
Ninja pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ninja fails with a takedown attempt.
Ninja is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Itchy.
Ninja looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Itchy drops Ninja with a left and a right! Oh, Ninja is hurt - Itchy dives into side control looking to finish!

It looks like Johnny Ninja has been cut.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Itchy tries to score with some ground and pound. Ninja controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Itchy misses with the ground and pound.
Itchy in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itchy connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ninja some visible discomfort.

Itchy decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Itchy displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A good leg kick by Itchy.
Itchy delivers a nice body kick.
Itchy scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ninja on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Itchy scores with a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Itchy clinches with his opponent.
Itchy lands a knee to the body.
Itchy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Itchy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ninja's defenses.

Itchy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Itchy tries a head kick but it misses.
Itchy lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja closes the distance and clinches up with Itchy, looking for a takedown. Ninja pushes Itchy against the cage but Itchy circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ninja takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Itchy with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Itchy swinging wilding here.
Ninja pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ninja tries to clinch but Itchy moves away
and Itchy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
anell Itchy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from Ninja.
Itchy buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ninja with a poor takedown
and Itchy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ninja is trying desperately to land a takedown but Itchy is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Ninja.
Ninja tries to clinch up

and Itchy counters by moving into the clinch.
Itchy landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ninja wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Itchy has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itchy crunches a lovely knee into Ninja's ribcage.
Itchy can't break the clinch.
Ninja prevents Itchy from breaking the clinch.

Itchy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ninja misses with a leg kick
and Itchy counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ninja tries for a takedown but Itchy circles away easily
and Itchy counters with a three punch combo that has Ninja backing up. Ninja nods at Itchy to acknowledge the strikes.
Both fighters circling a little - Itchy finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
anell Itchy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ninja with a lazy takedown attempt
and Itchy counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ninja thinking.
Itchy scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ninja in his tracks.
Ninja changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Itchy tries to avoid it but Ninja manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Itchy to the ground. Itchy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Itchy catches Ninja with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ninja shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Itchy as he avoids it easily.
Itchy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ninja.
Ninja doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Itchy makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Ninja really felt that one!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Ninja feints and as Itchy raises his hands in defense, Ninja changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ninja wants to control from the top but Itchy keeps moving.
Ninja won't allow Itchy to get back to his feet.
Ninja showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ninja missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

anell Itchy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Ninja'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.

Ninja takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ninja takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Ninja with a lazy takedown attempt
and Itchy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Itchy lands a head kick!
Ninja takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Ninja avoids the head kick by Itchy.
Itchy scores with a jab to the body.
Jab from Itchy.
Ninja tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Itchy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Itchy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ninja misses with a takedown
and Itchy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A right-left combo lands from Itchy.
Itchy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ninja can do to turn this around?
Ninja fails with the takedown
letting Itchy counter with a right hand.
anell Itchy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Ninja.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ninja takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Itchy throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ninja is looking to clinch.
Itchy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ninja was well out of range. Poor timing from Itchy.
Ninja tries to close the distance and clinch but Itchy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Itchy throws the kick towards the body but Ninja avoids it.
Ninja pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ninja is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
anell Itchy is winning the standup battle so far.
Ninja takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ninja misses with a body punch
and Itchy counters with an inside leg kick.
Ninja misses with a takedown attempt
and Itchy counters with a big head kick but Ninja shrugs it off.

Itchy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ninja wants to break free but Itchy has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Itchy unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Itchy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ninja is looking to control Itchy's arms but Itchy gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ninja has his back to the cage.

Itchy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ninja throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Itchy darts in and clinches Ninja up against the cage.
Itchy scores a nice knee to the body.
Ninja takes an elbow to the forehead.

Itchy breaks from the clinch.
Itchy throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ninja tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Itchy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ninja looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ninja wants to clinch
and Itchy counters with a big head kick but Ninja shrugs it off.
Ninja shoots and misses
and Itchy makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Itchy fails to land with a series of punches.
Itchy moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ninja tries to clinch up
and Itchy finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Itchy.
A nice leg kick lands there from Itchy.
Ninja throws a head kick but Itchy moves out of range.
A combination from Itchy does no damage.
Ninja shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Itchy sprawls well. Itchy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ninja gets slowly back to his feet.
anell Itchy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Itchy lands with a kick to the temple. Ninja shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Itchy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Itchy throws a head kick that misses.

Ninja scores with a takedown into Itchy's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ninja controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ninja trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Itchy manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Ninja not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

anell Itchy dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Ninja's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Itchy lands a jab-cross combination.
Ninja misses with a head kick.
Itchy throws a nice head kick!
Itchy misses the shot to the body.
Ninja tries for a takedown but Itchy circles away easily
and Itchy counters with a nice leg kick.
Itchy lands with a nice body punch.

Itchy rushes Ninja and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ninja is trying to drag Itchy to the mat but Itchy just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Itchy lands an elbow that stopped Ninja in his tracks for a moment.
Itchy utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Itchy breaks from the clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Itchy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ninja looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Itchy is fending him off so far but Ninja persists. Nope, Itchy circles away and we're back to standing.
anell Itchy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Ninja.
Itchy tries to bum rush Ninja with a series of wild strikes but Ninja uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itchy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ninja fails with the takedown
and Itchy counters with a three punch combo that has Ninja backing up. Ninja nods at Itchy to acknowledge the strikes.
Ninja tries to clinch up.
A head kick from Itchy lands but Ninja takes it in his stride.
Ninja on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Itchy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Itchy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ninja wants to clinch.
Itchy avoids the head kick by Ninja.
Itchy stalks Ninja and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ninja's face. Ninja staggers backwards, shaken.
Itchy misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ninja slips under a jab.
Ninja tries for a takedown but Itchy circles away easily
and Itchy counters with a nice uppercut.
Ninja takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ninja is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ninja has his takedown stuffed
and Itchy counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Itchy lands with a slapping head kick.
Ninja avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ninja tries to clinch
and Itchy counters with a nice kick to the body.
Ninja fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ninja has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Itchy.
Itchy throws a leg kick which misses Ninja's front leg but catches the back leg as Ninja tries to avoid it.
Ninja tries to clinch but Itchy is having none of it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ninja.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itchy lands a slapping body shot.
Ninja tries to move into range but Itchy moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Itchy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ninja's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ninja shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Itchy as he jumps to the side.
Itchy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ninja circles away quickly and effectively.
Ninja shoots in for a takedown but Itchy shows good takedown defense.

Itchy moves into range and clinches up with Ninja.
Ninja wants a takedown.
Itchy lands an elbow inside that Ninja shrugs off.

Itchy breaks the clinch.
Itchy is looking to clinch but Ninja is avoiding it.
Ninja has his takedown stuffed
and Itchy counters with a straight right hand.
Ninja tries to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ninja clinches but Itchy breaks the clinch
and Itchy counters with a slapping leg kick.
Itchy jabs at Ninja's body.
Itchy checks a leg kick.
Ninja with a lazy takedown attempt
and Itchy counters with a head kick. That will keep Ninja thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Nice body punch from Itchy.
Itchy throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ninja shoots and misses
and Itchy counters with a nice uppercut.
Itchy lands a jab-cross combination.
Itchy lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ninja darts in trying to clinch
and Itchy finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Johnny Ninja has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
anell Itchy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Itchy instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
anell Itchy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Itchy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... anell Itchy!