PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joey Cardinal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Newport (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cardinal comes to the cage accompanied by In Mourning - In The Failing Hour. The crowd seem to be enjoying Newport's choice of entrance music: Slipknot-Psychosocial. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Cardinal
vs
Newport

175 cm
25
155 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

175 cm
21
150 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Royalty Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joey Cardinal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Newport!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Wagner Zegers and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cardinal shoots in and drives through. Newport sprawls well.
Cardinal tries to clinch there but Newport circles away.
Cardinal fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cardinal shoots for a double leg takedown but Newport sprawls well. He's pushed Cardinal's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Cardinal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cardinal has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Cardinal there as he acknowledges the shot.

It looks like Joey Cardinal has been cut.
Newport throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cardinal fails with a takedown attempt.
Newport buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Cardinal is breathing heavily.
Newport misses with a head kick.
Cardinal moves out of range of the body kick from Newport.

Newport moves into the clinch successfully.
Newport unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Newport tries to land a knee to the head but Cardinal blocks with his arms.
Newport lands a knee to the body.
Newport lands an uppercut.
Newport lands an uppercut.
Newport lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Cardinal is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Newport gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cardinal on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Newport misses with a knee to the head.
Newport unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cardinal lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Newport misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cardinal.
Newport lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Knees to the body from Newport.
Newport lands a knee to the body.
Newport scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Newport is leaning against Cardinal and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newport breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cardinal takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Newport throws a nice outside leg kick.
Newport loads up on a big right hand but Cardinal slips the punch.
Newport cracks the inside of Cardinal's front leg.
Newport throws a low kick but Cardinal avoids it.
Newport throws a nice inside leg kick.
Newport throws a series of punches but Cardinal moves out of range.
Cardinal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cardinal takes one to the side of the head.
Newport tries to land a front kick but Cardinal steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Cardinal. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Cardinal fails with a takedown attempt.
Newport digs a good body shot into Cardinal's ribs.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Cardinal walks into a stiff left hand from Newport.
Newport looks to clinch

and Cardinal counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cardinal won't allow Newport to sweep him here.
Cardinal throwing strikes from guard but Newport blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Newport looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cardinal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Newport works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Newport can do anything to dispel that myth.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cardinal accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cardinal with a flurry of punches that miss.
Newport looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cardinal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Newport feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cardinal's calf.
Newport throws a leg kick which misses Cardinal's front leg but catches the back leg as Cardinal tries to avoid it.
Newport lands with a kick to the ribs.
Newport misses with a double jab.
A lazy left from Newport finds it's target.
Jack Newport is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Newport throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Newport stuns Cardinal with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Newport scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newport is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cardinal ducks right into an uppercut from Newport.
Newport misses with a jab, cross combination.
Newport tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cardinal swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Newport tries to score with a low kick but Cardinal moves his leg out of the way.
Newport moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Newport walks into a straight right hand from Cardinal.
Good standup being displayed there by Newport as he connects with a hook.
Newport misses with a body kick.
Newport keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Newport pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cardinal avoids the head kick by Newport.
Newport tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cardinal paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cardinal wants to clinch up but Newport keeps it at a distance.
A combination from Newport does no damage.
Newport showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cardinal.
Newport defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cardinal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Newport has managed to clinch.
Newport softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cardinal wants a takedown.
Newport lands with a light punch inside.
Newport is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cardinal is defending well for now.
Newport working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cardinal takes a knee to the side of the body.
Newport lands with a right to the head.
Newport gets through Cardinal's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A knee to the head by Newport.
Newport scores with a nice hook to the head.
Newport with a knee to the head.
Newport lands a shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Newport - that landed with a thud.
Cardinal tries for a takedown but Newport manages to get underhooks.
Newport lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Newport digs a right hand underneath Cardinal's ribcage. Cardinal let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cardinal blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cardinal tries for a takedown but Newport manages to get underhooks.
Newport lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Newport lands a right hand.
Cardinal has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Newport avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Newport gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cardinal.

Newport manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Newport dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joey Cardinal's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Newport with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Newport scores with a nice body kick.
Newport wants to clinch up but Cardinal keeps it at a distance.
Newport lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Newport lands a big head kick that sends Cardinal tumbling to the mat! Newport takes a step backwards and waves Cardinal back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Cardinal is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Newport throws a right hand that Cardinal ducks under and follows up with a left that Cardinal also avoids with ease.
Joey Cardinal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Newport throws a right and a left that both miss.
A big left from Newport misses.
Cardinal chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Newport can pounce on him.
Newport scores with a nice right hand.
Newport displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Oh Cardinal is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Newport tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cardinal was well out of range. Poor timing from Newport.
Cardinal seems to have got his legs back now.
Cardinal drops his hands momentarily and Newport takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Newport pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jack Newport seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Newport uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cardinal.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Newport bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cardinal's head backwards.
Cardinal is looking to clinch but Newport is avoiding it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cardinal checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newport does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Newport misses with a hook. Cardinal ducked under it nicely.
Cardinal is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Newport fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cardinal is out of range.
Cardinal misses with a series of wild punches.
Newport throws a right and a left that both miss.
Newport fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cardinal manages to avoid it.
Cardinal looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Newport is fending him off so far but Cardinal persists. Nope, Newport circles away and we're back to standing.
Newport lands with a nice body kick.
Newport pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cardinal is out of range and Newport settles back down.
Newport throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Newport cracks the inside of Cardinal's front leg.
Cardinal blocks a head kick by Newport.
Newport misses with a low kick.
Cardinal slips under a jab.
Cardinal throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Cardinal closes this distance looking for a takedown but Newport circles away.
Cardinal walks into a straight right hand from Newport.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal takes one to the chin there.
Newport cracks the inside of Cardinal's front leg.
Newport is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Newport scores with a nice body kick.
Cardinal avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cardinal gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Newport scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Newport is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Newport throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cardinal checks the leg kick nicely there.
Newport is looking to clinch but Cardinal is avoiding it.

Cardinal closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cardinal lands in his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cardinal throwing strikes from guard but Newport blocks nicely.
Newport has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newport throws a couple of heel strikes.
Newport trying to strike off his back.
Newport 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.
Cardinal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cardinal scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cardinal scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Newport throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cardinal walks into a left hand.
Newport throws out a loose jab but Cardinal uses good head movement to avoid it.
Newport darts in trying to clinch

and Cardinal decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Newport's guard.
Newport lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cardinal!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Newport working for a submission but Cardinal is keeping him at bay.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cardinal slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Newport prevents Cardinal from improving his position.
Newport working the head and body with strikes.
Cardinal is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Newport lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Newport is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Newport prevents Cardinal from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Newport showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joey Cardinal's cut.
That's time! 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.

A slapping leg kick lands for Newport.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cardinal has a takedown stuffed.
Newport stuffs the takedown attempt from Cardinal. Cardinal gets slowly back to his feet.
Newport swings for the body but Cardinal moves out of range.
Good exchange - Newport coming out on top.
Cardinal throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Newport's waist but Newport gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cardinal off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Cardinal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cardinal doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Newport scores with a jab to the body.
Newport throws a shot to the body.

Newport gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Newport lands a good knee to the midsection. Cardinal won't want to take too many of those.
Newport digs a right hand into Cardinal's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cardinal's gas tank.
Jack Newport seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Newport pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Newport just misses with a punch to the body.

Newport clinches up with Cardinal and pushes him back against the cage.
Newport lands with a left to the head.
Newport throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newport cracks Cardinal with a nice body shot.
Newport tries to land knees in the clinch but Cardinal avoids the damage to the body.
Cardinal blocks an elbow strike.
Cardinal avoiding damage as Newport throws knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Newport.
Newport connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cardinal's face.
Newport lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cardinal struggles to land a body shot inside as Newport controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Newport - that landed with a thud.
Cardinal takes a knee to the side of the body.
Newport is pressed up against the cage. Cardinal has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Newport down to the mat. Newport avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Newport misses with a wild body shot.
Cardinal fails with a takedown attempt.
Newport tries to clinch but Cardinal moves out of range.
Cardinal has a takedown stuffed.
Newport pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
No luck for Cardinal with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal takes a kick to the side of the head.
Newport works Cardinal's body with a nice hook.
Newport tried to score with a low kick but Cardinal checks it.
Newport misses the shot to the body.
Newport throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Newport has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Cardinal finds it's way round the side to connect with Newport's head.
Newport tries a head kick but it misses.
Cardinal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Newport but Newport pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cardinal misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Newport feints and then cracks Cardinal's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cardinal down.
Newport just misses with a punch to the body.

Newport has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cardinal drops down looking for an ankle pick but Newport pulls his leg out and moves away.
Newport fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cardinal manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newport misses with a body shot.
Cardinal moves out of range of the leg kick from Newport.
Newport throws a head kick but Cardinal moves out of range.

Cardinal shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Newport avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cardinal.
Cardinal is thwarting Newport's attempts to control the position.

Newport looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Newport is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cardinal scores with a couple of nice shots.
Cardinal landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newport pushes Cardinal off looking to stand but Cardinal dives back in and keeps control.
Cardinal is pressing down on Newport's thigh, looking to free his foot. Newport is holding on for now.

Cardinal is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Newport doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cardinal.
Newport throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Newport is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cardinal pulls his head out easily.
Cardinal looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Newport looking for submissions off his back.
Cardinal working over Newport with some ground and pound. Newport looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Newport comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Newport 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 26:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Newport!