PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Buakaw Nahwatsu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Christopher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nahwatsu kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The Two Towers. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nahwatsu
vs
Christopher

169 cm
20
205 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

195 cm
19
210 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Buakaw Nahwatsu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, John Christopher!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Nard Betker and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Christopher tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nahwatsu gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Christopher makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Nahwatsu really felt that one!
Christopher tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nahwatsu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Christopher closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nahwatsu did well to prevent Christopher getting side control.
Nahwatsu is staying active underneath Christopher, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Christopher is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nahwatsu doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Christopher.
Christopher slows the pace down in half guard.
Nahwatsu is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Christopher decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Nahwatsu gets a clinch.
Come on Christopher - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Christopher tries to pull guard but Nahwatsu forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Christopher tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nahwatsu smiles and moves away.

Nahwatsu clinches with his opponent.
Christopher is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Nahwatsu to keep the fight standing.
Buakaw Nahwatsu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Christopher.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Christopher throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nahwatsu blocks it with crossed arms.
Nahwatsu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Nahwatsu on the inside.
Christopher tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nahwatsu landing knees to the head.
Christopher avoids a wild elbow strike from Nahwatsu.
Christopher has Nahwatsu pressed against the cage.
Christopher using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nahwatsu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Christopher misses with a knee strike.
Christopher with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Christopher with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nahwatsu landing knees to the head.

It looks like John Christopher has been cut.
Christopher working aggressively here.

Christopher successfully pulls guard.
Nahwatsu throwing strikes but missing.
Nahwatsu landing with the ground and pound.
Nahwatsu might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nahwatsu is looking to work some ground and pound but Christopher has wrist control.
Christopher wants to sweep but no luck.
Christopher is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nahwatsu throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nahwatsu with a nice head shot there.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nahwatsu tries to stand but Christopher is controlling from the bottom.
Nahwatsu stopping the sweep attempt from Christopher.
Christopher controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Christopher manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nahwatsu manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Christopher wants to control from the top but Nahwatsu keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Christopher dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Christopher's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A good leg kick by Nahwatsu.
Nahwatsu is trying hard to land a takedown here. Christopher sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Buakaw Nahwatsu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nahwatsu throws a sloppy head kick
and Christopher counters with a series of strikes. Nahwatsu will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nahwatsu throws a head kick but Christopher moves out of range.
Christopher wants to clinch
and Nahwatsu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Christopher avoids the head kick by Nahwatsu.
Christopher takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nahwatsu cracks the inside of Christopher's front leg.
Christopher is looking to clinch but Nahwatsu is avoiding it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nahwatsu scores with a jab to the body.
Nahwatsu tries a head kick but it misses.

Nahwatsu has Christopher up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Christopher pulls Nahwatsu into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nahwatsu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nahwatsu wants to stand and escape but instead Christopher has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Christopher is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Christopher wants to control from the top but Nahwatsu keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. John Christopher wasn't active enough on the ground.
Christopher avoids the head kick by Nahwatsu.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Christopher.
Christopher scores with a spinning back kick!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nahwatsu tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Christopher with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christopher tries to pull guard but Nahwatsu holds him up against the cage and eventually Christopher drops back down to his feet.
Christopher drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nahwatsu pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nahwatsu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Christopher gets tackled into the cage by Nahwatsu. Nahwatsu maintains the clinch.
Christopher tries to land a knee to the head but Nahwatsu blocks with his arms.
Christopher taking a breather.
Christopher connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nahwatsu's face.
Christopher fails to pull guard.
Buakaw Nahwatsu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Christopher.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Christopher misses with a knee to the head.
Christopher is breathing heavily.
Christopher takes a knee right on the jaw!
Christopher taking a breather.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A knee to the head by Nahwatsu.
The referee is keeping an eye on Nahwatsu - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Christopher tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Christopher looking to throw knees to the head but Nahwatsu is blocking nicely.
Christopher jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nahwatsu walks away with a smile on his face. Christopher gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Christopher tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nahwatsu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Christopher will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on John Christopher's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nahwatsu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Christopher looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nahwatsu throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Christopher counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Nahwatsu closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Nahwatsu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Christopher pushes Nahwatsu up against the cage in a clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Christopher.

Nahwatsu breaks the clinch.
Christopher wants to clinch up but Nahwatsu keeps it at a distance.
Christopher wants to clinch but Nahwatsu slips to the side
and Nahwatsu counters with an inside leg kick.
A head kick by Nahwatsu misses
and Christopher counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nahwatsu misses with a head kick.
Nahwatsu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nahwatsu throws a head kick that misses.
Christopher getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nahwatsu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Nahwatsu clinches up against the cage.
Nahwatsu looking to throw knees to the head but Christopher is blocking nicely.
Christopher fails to pull guard.
Nahwatsu throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Christopher blocks it with crossed arms.
Christopher with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Christopher jumps guard.
Nahwatsu stands up over Christopher, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Christopher is trying to control the position but Nahwatsu postures up.
Christopher takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nahwatsu stopping the sweep attempt from Christopher.
Christopher looking to control.
John Christopher has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nahwatsu wants to stand and escape but instead Christopher has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nahwatsu is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Christopher is controlling him.
Christopher looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christopher advances position into side control!
John Christopher is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Christopher trying to control the position but Nahwatsu is working away.
Christopher is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nahwatsu is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Christopher asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Buakaw Nahwatsu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nahwatsu takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Christopher has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Christopher comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Christopher 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 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Christopher!