PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leon Bridges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nawal Chekhemani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nawal Chekhemani has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bridges
vs
Chekhemani

184 cm
21
196 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

170 cm
21
195 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Leon Bridges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nawal Chekhemani!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Lou da Vinci and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bridges scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bridges fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Chekhemani looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bridges scores with a hook to the body. Chekhemani takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chekhemani looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bridges fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Chekhemani tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bridges paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Bridges manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Chekhemani on his heels. He'll look to pass Chekhemani's guard now, I'm sure.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bridges passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bridges wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chekhemani keeps working.
Chekhemani is looking to regain half guard here but Bridges keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chekhemani is working to avoid the ground and pound but Bridges connects with a decent elbow.
Bridges in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridges trying to control the position but Chekhemani is working away.
Bridges postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Bridges working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Chekhemani tries to improve position but can't.
Chekhemani manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Bridges controlling the action here.
Chekhemani makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Chekhemani.

Chekhemani escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bridges gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Chekhemani looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bridges is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bridges will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Bridges trying to control the position from guard on top but Chekhemani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bridges controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bridges knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Chekhemani on the ground.

Chekhemani looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bridges has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bridges got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chekhemani has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bridges has managed to get both his arms back between Chekhemani's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bridges postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chekhemani is looking for a triangle but Bridges pushes his legs off easily.

Chekhemani is looking for a triangle but Bridges pushes his legs off easily.
Bridges wants to control from the top but Chekhemani keeps moving.
Bridges lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Bridges avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bridges trying to control but Chekhemani is working from the bottom.

Chekhemani had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bridges defends it easily.
Bridges looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekhemani being controlled here, momentarily.
Chekhemani looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bridges is one step ahead there.
Bridges looking to pass the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bridges's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bridges looking to sit in guard and control but Chekhemani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chekhemani not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Bridges dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Bridges shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Chekhemani's guard.
Chekhemani is trying to keep Bridges in close.
Chekhemani working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bridges.
Chekhemani not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bridges engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Bridges lands a couple of digs.
Bridges looking to pass the guard.
Bridges trying to control but Chekhemani is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhemani looking for a sweep. Not yet Chekhemani, not yet.
Chekhemani keeping moving, preventing Bridges from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bridges fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chekhemani manages to avoid it.
Bridges slips under a jab.
Chekhemani uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bridges.
Chekhemani misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Chekhemani moves in looking to clinch but Bridges pushes him off.
Bridges fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nawal Chekhemani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chekhemani is looking to clinch but Bridges is avoiding it.
Chekhemani tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Bridges shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Chekhemani's guard.
Bridges trying to control the position from guard on top but Chekhemani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chekhemani keeping full guard, as Bridges tries to pass.
Chekhemani not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bridges won't allow Chekhemani to sweep him here.

Chekhemani is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bridges is aware though and is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bridges trying to control the position from guard on top but Chekhemani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bridges accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chekhemani keeping full guard, as Bridges tries to pass.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bridges wants to pass the guard but Chekhemani is keeping the position.
Chekhemani 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.
Bridges postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Chekhemani looking for a sweep. Not yet Chekhemani, not yet.
Bridges postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bridges is pushing down on Chekhemani's leg trying to pass to half guard. Chekhemani is fighting to maintain full guard but Bridges has managed to sneak the leg through.
Chekhemani wants to improve his position but Bridges is controlling well.
Chekhemani has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bridges is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bridges controlling the action here.

Chekhemani actively working from the bottom here.
Chekhemani moves into full guard.
Chekhemani can't keep his opponent in guard - Bridges advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Chekhemani is refusing to be controlled, as Bridges sits in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chekhemani tries to roll over but Bridges keeps him under control.
Bridges wants to take a breather but Chekhemani is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Bridges dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Chekhemani fails to land with a series of punches.
Bridges moves out of range of the leg kick from Chekhemani.
Chekhemani wants to clinch
and Bridges counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Chekhemani thinking.
Sloppy strikes from Chekhemani. Those never looked like landing.
Bridges is looking to wear down Chekhemani with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bridges changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Chekhemani tries to sprawl but Bridges drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Chekhemani moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Chekhemani throws his legs up looking for a submission but Bridges uses it to pass to side control.
Chekhemani is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bridges off and has taken his back!
Chekhemani trying to control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bridges wants to get back to his feet.
Leon Bridges overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridges trying to control but not successfully.
Chekhemani doesn't have the hooks in and Bridges manages to turn into his guard.
Bridges keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Chekhemani's head.
Bridges trying to control but Chekhemani is working from the bottom.
Chekhemani trying to keep a closed guard but Bridges is proving a slippery customer.

Chekhemani is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Chekhemani keeping full guard, as Bridges tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bridges's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Chekhemani keeping moving, preventing Bridges from controlling successfully.
Bridges is looking to work some ground and pound but Chekhemani has wrist control.
Bridges is stalling in the full guard.
Chekhemani has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Chekhemani not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Leon Bridges.
Bridges fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Chekhemani looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Chekhemani gets caught napping as Bridges dives in and scores a takedown. Chekhemani manages to retain guard.
Bridges trying to control but Chekhemani is working from the bottom.
Chekhemani looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Bridges puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Bridges working Chekhemani over with strikes.
Chekhemani is looking for a sweep. Bridges is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Chekhemani is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bridges wants to pass the guard but Chekhemani is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bridges seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Chekhemani does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bridges wants to free his trapped foot but Chekhemani is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bridges passes to side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chekhemani is looking to reverse the position.
Bridges wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chekhemani keeps working.
Chekhemani is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bridges off and has taken his back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chekhemani misses with an elbow to the head.
Bridges can't escape the position.
Nawal Chekhemani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bridges trying to control the position but Chekhemani manages to sink in the hooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leon Bridges showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bridges has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leon Bridges!
Leon Bridges decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.