PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bastian Nokia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Genesis RhapsodosA (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Genesis RhapsodosA has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Nokia
vs
RhapsodosA

182 cm
26
130 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

180 cm
18
142 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bastian Nokia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Genesis RhapsodosA!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
RhapsodosA throws the kick towards the body but Nokia avoids it.
RhapsodosA tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Nokia counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
RhapsodosA wants to stand up but Nokia is controlling him.
Nokia engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
RhapsodosA looks to clinch

and Nokia counters with a takedown into side control.
Nokia tries to advance to mount but RhapsodosA denies him.
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!
RhapsodosA tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nokia wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
RhapsodosA is trying to work for a sweep but Nokia has mounted him!
Nokia controlling from the full mount.
RhapsodosA keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
RhapsodosA is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
RhapsodosA is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
RhapsodosA tries to reverse the position but Nokia maintains control.
Nokia content just to control the position here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nokia circles away from the clinch attempt

so Nokia counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nokia wants to pass the guard but RhapsodosA is keeping the position.
Nokia engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nokia circles away from the clinch attempt

and Nokia counters with a single leg into guard. RhapsodosA didn't expect that.
Nokia content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nokia seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down RhapsodosA for as long as he can get away with.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bastian Nokia wasn't doing enough on the ground.
RhapsodosA throws the kick towards the body but Nokia avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
RhapsodosA darts in trying to clinch

and Nokia counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nokia.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
RhapsodosA wants to get back to his feet but Nokia passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bastian Nokia 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.

RhapsodosA misses with a body kick.
RhapsodosA darts in trying to clinch

and Nokia counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nokia won't allow RhapsodosA to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nokia engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bastian Nokia wasn't doing enough on the ground.
RhapsodosA tries to clinch but Nokia moves away

and Nokia decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in RhapsodosA's guard.
RhapsodosA wants to get back to his feet but Nokia is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nokia slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Bastian Nokia.
RhapsodosA moves to clinch but Nokia breaks away

and Nokia counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nokia.
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.
Nokia is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
RhapsodosA tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Nokia counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. RhapsodosA is lucky that one didn't land flush.
RhapsodosA tries to clinch but Nokia moves away

and Nokia decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in RhapsodosA's guard.
Nokia won't allow RhapsodosA to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nokia tries to free his leg and advance position but RhapsodosA is retaining full guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Genesis RhapsodosA hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
RhapsodosA lands a nice looking body kick.
RhapsodosA tries to clinch
and Nokia counters with a flying knee. Nice.
RhapsodosA closes the distance but Nokia moves to the side

and Nokia counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
RhapsodosA is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nokia slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bastian Nokia wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Nokia moves out of range of the body kick.
Genesis RhapsodosA seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
RhapsodosA looks to clinch

and Nokia counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nokia is pressing down on RhapsodosA's thigh, looking to free his foot. RhapsodosA is holding on for now.
RhapsodosA trying to control but Nokia postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
RhapsodosA tries to kick Nokia off but Nokia keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Genesis RhapsodosA.
Nokia avoids the head kick by RhapsodosA.
RhapsodosA tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Nokia counters with a single leg into guard. RhapsodosA didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nokia controlling from the top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
RhapsodosA looks to clinch

and Nokia decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in RhapsodosA's guard.
Nokia is pushing down on RhapsodosA's leg trying to pass to half guard. RhapsodosA is fighting to maintain full guard but Nokia has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bastian Nokia dominated that second round.
That's time! Nokia's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

RhapsodosA tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Nokia counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nokia sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
RhapsodosA lands a front kick.
RhapsodosA tries to clinch up

and Nokia decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in RhapsodosA's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
RhapsodosA looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Genesis RhapsodosA was stalling too much, according to the referee.
RhapsodosA tries to clinch up

and Nokia counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nokia advances nicely into full mount.
RhapsodosA tries to buck Nokia off but Nokia takes his back!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nokia has the hooks in. RhapsodosA is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nokia has good solid back control here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
RhapsodosA moves to clinch but Nokia breaks away

and Nokia counters with a shoot takedown. RhapsodosA fights it but they end up in guard.
RhapsodosA is trying to hold Nokia in close to prevent damage but Nokia has managed to pass into half guard.
Nokia sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Nokia'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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nokia has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Genesis RhapsodosA has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Bastian Nokia.
RhapsodosA looks to clinch
and Nokia counters with a flying knee. Nice.
RhapsodosA throws a head kick that misses.
Bastian Nokia is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Genesis RhapsodosA is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nokia checks the leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bastian Nokia showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nokia, 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bastian Nokia!