PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nate Tua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zachariah Wampler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Tua
vs
Wampler

176 cm
21
160 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

171 cm
26
161 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nate Tua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zachariah Wampler!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wampler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tua fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Wampler has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tua looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Wampler takes a kick to the side of the head.
Wampler shoots and misses
and Tua connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wampler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tua pinned against the ropes. Tua gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nate Tua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zachariah Wampler.
Tua lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wampler backs up against the ropes.
Wampler shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tua but Tua pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tua scores with a jab to the jaw.
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!
Sloppy strikes from Tua. Those never looked like landing.
Tua throws a sloppy head kick and Wampler moves out of range easily.

Wampler gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Wampler jumps guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Wampler wants to stand up but Tua is controlling him.
Tua stays in close to Wampler's body and controls the position.
Tua wants to get up but he can't break Wampler's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wampler pushes Tua off and scrambles back to his feet.

Wampler changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tua looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wampler sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Tua is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Wampler is putting a hurting on Tua here, landing some big shots from side control.
The ground and pound from Wampler seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Tua wants to get back to his feet.
Wampler cracks Tua with a big elbow.
Wampler in side control, throwing shots but Tua defends.
Wampler misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Wampler tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Wampler throws an elbow but Tua slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tua takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wampler passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Tua!
Wampler lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Tua hang on?
Wampler throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Tua because Wampler loaded up on that one.
Wampler sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Wampler looking to finish with strikes here!
Wampler throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Wampler thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Tua taking shots to the head.
Tua is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wampler landing shots from mount.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Wampler throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Tua because Wampler loaded up on that one.
Wampler landing strikes from the mount.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Wampler punching from mount but Tua doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Wampler unloads with some shots from mount but Tua bucks and avoids them well.
Wampler landing punches.
Wampler in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Wampler lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Wampler sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Tua is breathing heavily.
Poor strikes thrown by Wampler there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Wampler won't let Tua get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Wampler has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Tua's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wampler is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Tua can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Wampler with good strikes from the mount here!
Wampler working Tua over with strikes here.
Wampler throwing strikes here but Tua is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Wampler sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Tua blocking the ground and pound.
Wampler lands a heavy elbow.
Wampler looking to finish Tua with some ground and pound. This is bad for Tua!
Wampler with good strikes from the mount here!
Wampler putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
A nice elbow there by Wampler.
Tua takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wampler unloads with some shots from mount but Tua bucks and avoids them well.
Wampler cracks Tua with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Wampler lands a nice shot to the head.
Wampler fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Wampler with the ground and pound from mount.
A nice elbow there by Wampler.
BOOM! Wampler connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Wampler unloading with bombs!
Tua in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Tua is rocked!
Wampler working Tua over with strikes here.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wampler lands with some strikes.
Oh Tua is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Wampler throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Tua seems to have got his legs back now.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Wampler.
Wampler throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Wampler throwing strikes here but Tua is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Tua holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Wampler tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Wampler working Tua over with strikes here.

Wampler looking for a guillotine from mount but Tua is having none of it.
Wampler can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Tua is looking to escape.
The referee warns Tua that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tua takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Wampler landing punches.
Wampler throws some wild stikes that Tua manages to avoid easily.
Tua is in a horrible position here. Wampler smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Wampler throwing strikes here but Tua is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Tua holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Wampler tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Wampler throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Wampler landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wampler misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Wampler throwing strikes here but Tua is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
A nice elbow there by Wampler.

Wampler wants to finish this one by submission but Tua is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Wampler.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wampler landing strikes, looking to finish!
Wampler postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Tua looks a forlorn figure.
Wampler throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Wampler landing punches.
Wampler is landing with some decent strikes but Tua is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tua is squirming around, avoiding Wampler's attempts to control the action.
Wampler with a couple of short strikes.
Wampler working Tua over with strikes here.
Wampler misses with some ground and pound and Tua recovers position to half guard.

Wampler is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tua defends it well.
Tua has hold of Wampler's hands but Wampler slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tua is trying to stand up here but Wampler is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zachariah Wampler dominated that round.
That's time! Tua's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.

Wampler shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Tua manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Tua throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wampler tries for a takedown but Tua sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tua throws a head kick but Wampler moves out of range.
Tua finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Wampler scores with a takedown into Tua's guard.
Wampler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tua avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zachariah Wampler has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wampler trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tua wants to stand but Wampler is controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wampler throwing strikes from guard but Tua blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wampler postures up and lands a big shot to Tua's brow.
Wampler connects with a couple of short punches.
Wampler throws an elbow that misses. Tua uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Wampler's guard. Nice move by Tua!
Wampler wants to stand but Tua is controlling the position.
Tua wants to control from the top but Wampler keeps moving.

Tua decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Nate Tua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wampler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tua is fending him off so far but Wampler persists. Nope, Tua circles away and we're back to standing.
Tua throws a head kick but Wampler moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tua walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Wampler checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Wampler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nate Tua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zachariah Wampler.
Wampler blocks a head kick by Tua.
Wampler jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Tua lands with a kick to the temple. Wampler shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Wampler looks to throw the jab but Tua is out of range.
Tua fails to land with a series of punches.
Tua throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tua slaps away a takedown attempt from Wampler, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wampler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tua tries to avoid it but Wampler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tua to the ground. Tua escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Wampler shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Wampler showed some decent athleticism there.
Tua wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wampler missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wampler thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tua's head.
Wampler working Tua over with strikes.
Tua has hold of Wampler's hands but Wampler slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nice strikes from Wampler there.
Tua is staying active underneath Wampler, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Tua pushes Wampler off and gets back to his feet.

Wampler closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tua to the mat! Tua manages to get full guard.
Wampler with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wampler throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wampler works over Tua with some ground and pound from guard.
Wampler stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tua swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wampler won't allow Tua to get back to his feet.
Wampler postures up in Tua's guard and throws a big left but Tua blocks it.
Wampler throws a big right hand that misses.
Wampler with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wampler content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Wampler throwing strikes but missing.
Wampler is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wampler throwing strikes from guard but Tua blocks nicely.
Wampler working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Wampler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tua utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Wampler throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wampler tries to free his leg and advance position but Tua is retaining full guard.
Tua utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tua keeping moving, preventing Wampler from controlling successfully.
Wampler looking to sit in guard and control but Tua gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Wampler is looking to stand up but Tua isn't so interested in that idea.
Tua wants to control from the top but Wampler keeps moving.
Tua stops Wampler from standing up.
Tua wants to get up but he can't break Wampler's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Tua loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tua stops Wampler from standing up.
Tua throws a big elbow that misses.
Wampler wants to stand and escape but Tua is having none of it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Tua with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tua looking to sit in guard and control but Wampler gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Wampler throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Tua is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Wampler breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wampler throws a sloppy head kick and Tua moves out of range easily.
Tua lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wampler backs up against the ropes.
Wampler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tua tries to avoid it but Wampler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tua to the ground. Tua escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tua lands a head kick. Wampler smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Wampler has his takedown stuffed
and Tua counters with a straight right hand.
Nate Tua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wampler fails with a takedown attempt.
Wampler takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tua scores with a jab.

Wampler gets a clinch.
Wampler has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tua after a bit of a struggle.

Tua manages to break the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wampler avoids the head kick by Tua.
Sloppy strikes from Tua. Those never looked like landing.
Wampler avoids the head kick by Tua.
Tua moves out of range as Wampler throws a body kick.
Wampler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Wampler with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tua counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Wampler thinking.
Wampler shoots in and drives through. Tua sprawls well.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tua pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Wampler back to the ropes. Tua follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Wampler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tua will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Wampler shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tua is trying to defend but Wampler finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Wampler lands strikes from half guard.
Nate Tua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tua pushes Wampler off looking to stand but Wampler dives back in and keeps control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wampler working Tua over with strikes.
Wampler throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zachariah Wampler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wampler scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zachariah Wampler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Wampler 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight for Zachariah Wampler!
Judge Josh West scores the fight for Zachariah Wampler!
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for Zachariah Wampler!

Zachariah Wampler wins by unanimous decision!