PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Ardona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Umanga (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!

Ardona
vs
Umanga

175 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
29
162 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Ardona!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nate Umanga!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Donatello Bradman and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Umanga looks for a takedown but Ardona sprawls well.
Ardona throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Umanga shoots in looking for a takedown but Ardona manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Umanga's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Umanga closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ardona circles away.
James Ardona has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Umanga.
Ardona looks to land a combination. Umanga sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A punch combination from Ardona misses.
Ardona with a jab.

Umanga shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Umanga showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Umanga thows a huge punch but Ardona dodges it nicely.
Ardona trying to hold on to Umanga's head to control him but Umanga postures up.
Ardona tries to kick Umanga off but Umanga keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Umanga is working for a submission of some sort.
Umanga is trying to control the action in half guard but Ardona is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ardona knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Umanga on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Umanga missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Umanga is thwarting Ardona's attempts to control the position.
Ardona tries to roll over but Umanga keeps him under control.

Umanga is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ardona is just riding it out for now. Umanga eventually gives up the hold.
Umanga thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Umanga seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ardona does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ardona looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ardona is staying active underneath Umanga, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ardona wants to control but Umanga is keeping busy.
Umanga has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Umanga missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Umanga is controlling the pace.
Umanga working Ardona over with strikes.
Ardona is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Umanga's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Umanga's back!
Umanga rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Ardona is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Umanga works his way to full guard. Good work.
Umanga looking for a sweep. Not yet Umanga, not yet.
Umanga manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ardona manages to get himself to full guard.
Ardona controlling the position.
Ardona keeping moving, preventing Umanga from controlling successfully.
Umanga content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Umanga trying to control the position from guard on top but Ardona is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Umanga is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Umanga working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ardona is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Umanga postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Umanga trying to control but Ardona is working from the bottom.
Ardona tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've been hearing good reports from Ardona's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A jab lands there for Ardona.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Umanga tries for a takedown but Ardona sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ardona throws a good cross that connects.
Ardona scores with a decent looking hook.
Ardona uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ardona connects with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James Ardona will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Umanga closes the distance and clinches up with Ardona, looking for a takedown. Umanga pushes Ardona against the cage but Ardona circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Ardona as Umanga shoots in.
Ardona throws out a powerful jab.
James Ardona is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ardona works Umanga's body with a nice hook.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ardona throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ardona lands a jab to Umanga's midsection.
Ardona ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ardona connects with a body shot that sends Umanga's belly button to the back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Umanga takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Umanga walks into a straight right hand from Ardona.
Umanga walks into a stiff left hand from Ardona.
Ardona throws a nice looking combination but Umanga bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Umanga.
James Ardona has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Umanga.
Umanga is breathing heavily.
Nice cross by Ardona.

Umanga is rocked!
Ardona throws a one two combo.
Umanga is still on wobbly legs! Can Ardona finish him?
Umanga goes for a double leg but Ardona avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ardona continues to drive forward.

Ardona pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Umanga is sent reeling backwards by a solid uppercut. He barely regains his balance and Ardona moves in for the kill throwing a continuous barrage of punches that force the ref to step in.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:07 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). James Ardona!
Our winner, James Ardona, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.