PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Numero Nueve (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jet Cao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cao has chosen "All I Do Is Win" by DJ Khaled as his entrance music. Numero Nueve has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nueve
vs
Cao

173 cm
23
162 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

168 cm
22
162 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

-GTI- Divine Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Numero Nueve!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jet Cao!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Sergei Dronov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nueve scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Nueve tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nueve has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Nueve thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Nueve looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Cao regains half guard.

Nueve is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nueve prevents Cao from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cao looking for submissions off his back.
Cao trying to control from the bottom.

Nueve is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Nueve is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cao is looking for a sweep. Nueve is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Nueve looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Cao has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nueve is working away from the top position though.

Cao is defending against the submission attempts here by Nueve.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cao is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nueve is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cao doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nueve.

Nueve is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cao sees it coming and defends easily.
Cao is pressing down on Nueve's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nueve won't allow Cao to sweep him here.

Nueve drops back looking for a leg! Cao is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cao manages to kick Nueve off! Nueve jumps back into Cao's guard.

Cao is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nueve is aware though and is defending well.

Nueve is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Cao is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Cao has escaped and now he's on top!

Cao got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nueve has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cao has managed to get both his arms back between Nueve's legs - danger averted.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nueve is looking for a triangle but Cao pushes his legs off easily.

Nueve had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cao defends it easily.
Nueve is breathing heavily.
Cao wants to pass the guard but Nueve is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Numero Nueve dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nueve closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cao circles away.
Cao throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cao throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Cao loads up on a big right hand but Nueve slips the punch.
Nueve fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cao misses with an attempted mid kick.
Cao throws a right and a left that Nueve avoids nicely.
Cao defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nueve.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Numero Nueve. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nueve drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Nueve swings around for an armbar but Cao sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Nueve's guard.
Nueve 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.
Cao wants to get up but he can't break Nueve's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Nueve keeping moving, preventing Cao from controlling successfully.
Cao must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Nueve looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Cao has picked Nueve up and slammed him! Nueve can't keep hold of the triangle and Cao manages to pass to side control!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cao wants to control but Nueve is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nueve manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Nueve tries to get to full guard but Cao has control of the leg.
Cao wants to stand up but Nueve has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Cao wants to control but Nueve is keeping him busy.
Nueve is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cao is trying to control. Nueve wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nueve manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Nueve is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cao defends well.

Nueve is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nueve keeping moving, preventing Cao from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nueve wants to sweep here but Cao controlling him for the moment.
Nueve lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cao!
Cao holds on for dear life.

Nueve moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Cao has worked his arm free - good work by Cao!
Cao pushes Nueve away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Nueve gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Nueve looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cao is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Cao can't do much from the bottom here.

Nueve working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Nueve wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Cao, who protects the arm well.

Nueve thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four 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.

Nueve looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Nueve looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Cao is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Nueve is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cao is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Numero Nueve dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cao stuffs the takedown attempt from Nueve. Nueve gets slowly back to his feet.
Cao swinging wilding here.
Nueve looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nueve shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cao sprawls well. Cao wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nueve gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Numero Nueve. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cao scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Numero Nueve seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cao throws a head kick that half lands.
Nueve shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cao pinned against the cage. Cao gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nueve shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cao pinned against the cage. Cao gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cao misses the jab.
Jet Cao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fighters circling - Cao throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nueve looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Cao scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Numero Nueve overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cao is looking to take a break and control but Nueve is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nueve is looking to regain half guard here but Cao keeps moving and retains side control.
Cao wants to stand but Nueve is controlling his arm.

Cao thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Nueve is looking for a sweep.
Cao wants to stand but Nueve is controlling his arm.
Nueve sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Nueve actively working from the bottom here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cao loads up on a big right hand but Nueve slips the punch.
Numero Nueve is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nueve takes a kick to the side of the head.
Nueve dodges the punch combination from Cao.

Nueve closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cao to the mat! Cao manages to get full guard.
Nueve is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nueve won't allow Cao to get back to his feet.
Nueve is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Cao is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cao looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nueve is one step ahead there.
Cao being controlled here, momentarily.
Nueve seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Cao for as long as he can get away with.
Cao looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nueve trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nueve stays in close to Cao's body and controls the position.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Numero Nueve just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Cao misses with a two punch combination.
Nueve with a lazy takedown attempt
and Cao counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cao is looking to chop away at Nueve's legs.

Cao gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Jet Cao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nueve stays in close to Cao's body and controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nueve'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.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jet Cao.
I think Nueve has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Numero Nueve!