PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Haigh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicodemo Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haigh's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Prayer of the Refugee by Rise Against . Romero is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Lords Of Salem . 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?

Haigh
vs
Romero

170 cm
27
158 lbs
19 - 11 - 0

177 cm
25
160 lbs
11 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Haigh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Nicodemo Romero!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haigh throws a body shot but no joy.
Haigh throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Haigh throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Romero.
Haigh misses with an uppercut
and Romero counters with a nice uppercut.

Romero gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Haigh to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Romero is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Haigh stopping the sweep attempt from Romero.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Haigh pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Romero is keeping the position for now.
Haigh 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.
Romero 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romero keeping moving, preventing Haigh from controlling successfully.
Haigh is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Romero is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Romero wants to sweep here but Haigh controlling him for the moment.
Our spies down at at Montreal Fighter's Gym inform us that Romero has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haigh looking to pass the guard.
Haigh trying to control but Romero is working from the bottom.
Haigh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Romero wants to sweep but no luck.
Haigh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Romero has his foot on Haigh's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Haigh works his way back into a safe position though.
Haigh wants to pass the guard but Romero is keeping the position.

Romero escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Haigh gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Haigh trying to control the position from guard on top but Romero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Haigh is really struggling to control Romero but he's trying to hold on to the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Romero shoots in looking for a takedown. Haigh tries to sprawl out of it but Romero keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Haigh manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Haigh pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Haigh is looking to chop away at Romero's legs.
Romero moves out of range of the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Haigh. Romero does a little dance to reset his feet.
Romero missing with a left hand there. Haigh was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Romero chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The fighters circle momentarily. Haigh darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Romero blocks a head kick by Haigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero checks a leg kick.

Haigh dives in and scores a takedown into Romero's guard.
Haigh passes into half guard.
Haigh trying to pass the guard but Romero defending well.
Still in half guard, Haigh seems content to control.
Haigh seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Romero does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Haigh is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Romero is just riding it out for now. Haigh eventually gives up the hold.
Romero trying to control but Haigh postures up.
Romero tries to roll over but Haigh keeps him under control.
Romero makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Romero.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haigh trying to control the position from guard on top but Romero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Romero is looking to sweep but instead, Haigh has passed into half guard.
Romero is pressing down on Haigh's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Haigh is stalling in the full guard.
Romero lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Romero loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Romero content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Romero wants to control from the top but Haigh keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Haigh dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Romero thuds his right hand into Haigh's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Haigh cracks a nice hook into Romero's ribs.
Romero keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Haigh uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Romero.
Haigh is looking to wear down Romero with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Haigh falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Romero counter with a right hand.
Haigh connects with the punch.
Romero tests Haigh's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Romero lands a nice shot to the body.
John Haigh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by Romero.

Haigh is rocked!
Romero has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Haigh misses with a left hand
and Romero rattles Haigh with a well-timed uppercut counter. - Haigh tries to back away and recover but his hands are down low and he gets tagged again, sending him stumbling down to the canvas. Romero dives in after him and quickly finishes the job with a trio of brutal punches, leaving Haigh stiff and motionless on the mat!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:46 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Nicodemo Romero!
Nicodemo Romero gave a mention to Fury Nutrition Inc. in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).
In defeat, John Haigh stepped up to the mic, saying 'Maybe it is time for me to make the move to another weight class.'.