PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Izzy Cumming (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tebato Nakara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cumming comes to the cage accompanied by White America. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cumming
vs
Nakara

170 cm
30
162 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

177 cm
29
169 lbs
8 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Izzy Cumming!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tebato Nakara!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Nakara.
Cumming takes a swing at Nakara's ribcage but misses.
Cumming jabs Nakara right on the nose. Nakara blinks but takes it well.
Cumming misses with the combination.
Nakara throws the kick towards the body but Cumming avoids it.
Cumming has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cavemen Dojo in the buildup to the fight.
Cumming tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've been informed that Nakara has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Cumming throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Nakara tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cumming is in Nakara's guard.
Nakara is trying to keep Cumming in close.
Cumming stopping the sweep attempt from Nakara.
Cumming in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cumming loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cumming throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nakara looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cumming is one step ahead there.
Nakara bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cumming's guard.
Nakara trying to control the position from guard on top but Cumming is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cumming not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cumming has control of Nakara's left arm, preventing Nakara from doing any damage.
Nakara looking to sit in guard and control but Cumming gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cumming loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cumming working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cumming stopping the sweep attempt from Nakara.
Cumming trying to control but Nakara is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakara utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cumming is looking to work some ground and pound but Nakara has wrist control.
Cumming content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakara working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cumming doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cumming manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nakara is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cumming working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nakara utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cumming slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Nakara is trying to keep Cumming in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nakara escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cumming gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cumming trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nakara 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.
Cumming lands a couple of elbows.
Cumming is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cumming throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nakara works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cumming distracts Nakara with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cumming fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cumming takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Cumming swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Nakara counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nakara distracts Cumming with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Cumming holds on and takes a little breather.
Nakara throws an elbow that misses. Cumming uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nakara's guard. Nice move by Cumming!
Nakara controls Cumming momentarily but Cumming frees himself.
Nakara wants to get back to his feet but Cumming is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cumming throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nakara holds on and takes a little breather.
Cumming working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nakara can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cumming controls the pace.
Cumming distracts Nakara with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cumming is fighting to break Nakara's control of his arms but Nakara is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Cumming missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nakara avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nakara bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cumming's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cumming managing to control the position.
Cumming keeping moving, preventing Nakara from controlling successfully.
Nakara looking to sit in guard and control but Cumming gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Cumming has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cumming throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cumming tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakara is retaining full guard.
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!
Nakara keeping moving, preventing Cumming from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakara looking for a sweep. Not yet Nakara, not yet.

We're going to have a standup here because Izzy Cumming wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Cumming misses with a lunging right hand

and Nakara counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nakara missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cumming controls Nakara momentarily but Nakara frees himself.

Nakara is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Cumming is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Cumming has escaped and now he's on top!
Cumming with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cumming postures up in Nakara's guard and throws a big left but Nakara blocks it.
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!
Nakara 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.
Cumming working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nakara's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cumming accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cumming loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cumming trying to control but Nakara is working from the bottom.
Nakara controls Cumming momentarily but Cumming frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tebato Nakara will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Cumming throws a hook to the side of Nakara's head but Nakara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cumming connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A slow jab from Cumming misses its intended target.
Cumming misses with a lunging right hand
and Nakara counters with a nice low kick that buckles Cumming's knee momentarily.

Cumming changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nakara looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Izzy Cumming overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nakara defending against the ground and pound.
Nakara can't do much from the bottom here.
Cumming lands an elbow.
Cumming looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Nakara is avoiding damage well.
Cumming misses with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakara taking a bit of punishment here - Cumming scoring with strikes.
Cumming is working Nakara over with some ground and pound from side control.
Nakara is trying to get back to half guard.
Cumming wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nakara keeps working.
Nakara regains half guard, as Cumming was trying to land strikes.
Cumming wants to pass the guard but Nakara is defending well.
Ground and pound from Cumming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cumming missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cumming throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cumming perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nakara has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cumming is working away from the top position though.
Cumming landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nakara is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nakara avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cumming.
Cumming wants to pass the guard but Nakara is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakara wants to control but Cumming is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Cumming missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cumming thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nakara's head.
Cumming landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nakara makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nakara.
Cumming wants to control from the top but Nakara keeps moving.
Nakara tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakara can't keep his opponent in guard - Cumming advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakara trying to control here.
Nakara tries to roll over but Cumming keeps him under control.
Cumming lands with a punch from half guard.
Nakara trying to control here.
Nakara wants to get back to full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cumming seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Cumming not landing any meaningful shots this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Izzy Cumming showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cumming has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Izzy Cumming!
An out of breath Izzy Cumming thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.