PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Craig Nutts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Colin Flecher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Nutts
vs
Flecher

170 cm
25
213 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Craig Nutts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Colin Flecher!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Roger Salmon and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Flecher scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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.
Nutts is trying to control Flecher's posture but Flecher avoids it.
Nutts is looking to regain half guard here but Flecher keeps moving and retains side control.
Flecher working away.
Nutts might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nutts managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Flecher.
Nutts tries to bench press Flecher off him but Flecher keeps the position.
Nutts struggling a bit here.
Nutts manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Flecher is trying to get back to full guard.
Flecher trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Flecher looking for submissions off his back.
Nutts is trying to control the action in half guard but Flecher is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Flecher trying to control but Nutts postures up.

Nutts is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Flecher defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Flecher tries to roll over but Nutts keeps him under control.
Flecher is doing well to control the position and prevent Nutts from advancing to side control.
Nutts wants to take a breather but Flecher is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nutts is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Flecher defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nutts is pressing down on Flecher's thigh, looking to free his foot. Flecher is holding on for now.
Flecher is staying active underneath Nutts, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Nutts seems to be looking for submissions.

Nutts 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.
Flecher is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nutts thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Flecher's head.
Nutts is trying to control. Flecher wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nutts is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nutts throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Flecher to regain full guard.
Nutts trying to control the position from guard on top but Flecher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Nutts drops back, looking for a kneebar! Flecher looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Flecher looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Flecher!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nutts is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Flecher is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nutts is looking to control Flecher's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nutts avoid being mounted?
Nutts avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Flecher.
Nutts is trying to control but can't.

Flecher is looking for a kimura here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Flecher stalling away here and it's allowed Nutts to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Nutts dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Flecher.

Flecher darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Nutts gets full guard.
Nutts is controlling Flecher's posture.
Nutts 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nutts is working hard here to advance position.
Nutts is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Flecher stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nutts swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Flecher is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Flecher postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Flecher pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flecher tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nutts swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Flecher drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Nutts working a defensive guard here.
Nutts controlling the position.
Flecher passes Nutts's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Flecher is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Flecher working Nutts over with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nutts trying to hold on to Flecher's head to control him but Flecher postures up.
Nutts holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flecher is keen to just control but Nutts is a slippery customer.
Nutts trying to control but Flecher postures up.
Flecher prevents Nutts from improving his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nutts manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Flecher thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Flecher is breathing heavily.
Nutts pulls Flecher in close to prevent any damage.
Nutts keeping full guard, as Flecher tries to pass.
Nutts tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nutts pulls Flecher in to control the position.
Flecher throws a big right hand that misses.
Flecher won't allow Nutts to sweep him here.
Flecher landing with the ground and pound.
Flecher wants to stand but Nutts is controlling his posture from full guard.
Flecher wants to control from the top but Nutts keeps moving.
Nutts is pulling down on Flecher's head. It's preventing any offense from Flecher, at least for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Flecher throws out a leg kick but Nutts moves out of range and Flecher only half commits.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Colin Flecher will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Flecher shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nutts's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Flecher accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Flecher won't allow Nutts to sweep him here.
Flecher throwing strikes but missing.
Flecher tries to free his leg and advance position but Nutts is retaining full guard.
Nutts 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.
Flecher is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Nutts has his foot on Flecher's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Flecher works his way back into a safe position though.
Flecher controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nutts is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Flecher defends well.
Nutts controlling the position.
Nutts keeping full guard, as Flecher tries to pass.
Flecher must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Flecher connects with a couple of short punches.
Flecher lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nutts is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Flecher wants to stand but Nutts is controlling his posture from full guard.
Flecher postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flecher trying to stand up but can't free himself from Nutts's guard.
Nutts lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Flecher!
Nutts is trying to control here but Flecher has managed to regain half guard.
Nutts content to control rather than advance.
Flecher tries to get to full guard but Nutts has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nutts seems to be looking for submissions.
Flecher is trying is best to control the position here.
Flecher is trying to stand up here but Nutts is controlling him well.
Flecher takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nutts trying to pass the guard but Flecher defending well.

Nutts seems to be working for a kimura but Flecher defends the submission attempt.
Flecher has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nutts is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nutts wants to work for an arm triangle but Flecher is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Nutts is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Flecher is just riding it out for now. Nutts eventually gives up the hold.

Nutts seems to be looking for submissions.
Nutts wants to lay and pray for a moment but Flecher keeps working.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Craig Nutts.
I think Nutts 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight for Craig Nutts!
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight for Craig Nutts!
Judge Josh West scores the fight for Craig Nutts!

Craig Nutts wins by unanimous decision!