PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nidhi Negi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeremy Zoeke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nidhi Negi has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Negi
vs
Zoeke

175 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

155 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nidhi Negi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jeremy Zoeke!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Bart Greer and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zoeke slaps away a takedown attempt from Negi, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Zoeke closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Negi to the mat! Negi manages to get full guard.
Negi is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Zoeke dives into side control.

Zoeke looks up at the clock and then as Negi takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Zoeke smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Zoeke has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zoeke scores with punches from side control.
Negi wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Negi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Negi tries to get out of the position.
Zoeke wants to lay and pray for a moment but Negi keeps working.
Negi is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Zoeke has eaten all the pies!
Negi tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoeke controlling the position easily from mount.
Negi is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Zoeke trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Negi is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Negi trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Zoeke pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Negi is squirming around, avoiding Zoeke's attempts to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zoeke cracks Negi with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zoeke controlling the pace for now.
Negi is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Zoeke can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Negi is looking to escape.
Negi is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Zoeke trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Negi's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Zoeke scoring with strikes but Negi is staying in there.
Negi wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Zoeke looking to control but Negi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoeke lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Zoeke wants to control the pace but Negi is squirming around nicely.
A nice elbow there by Zoeke.

Negi bucks Zoeke off and manages to get back to his feet!

Negi gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Negi wants to stand and escape but Zoeke is having none of it.

Negi is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Zoeke presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zoeke swings wildly with an uppercut but Negi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Negi tries to land a knee to the head but Zoeke blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Negi misses with a knee strike.
Negi is breathing heavily.
Negi tries for a takedown. No joy.

Zoeke ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Zoeke no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Zoeke tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Zoeke is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Negi presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Zoeke looking to stall.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Negi has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Zoeke clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Negi gets back to his feet - a bit of a stange decision given the position he was in.

Negi shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Negi showed some decent athleticism there.
Zoeke trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Negi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zoeke sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Negi somewhat.
Zoeke tries to counter with a clinch but Negi shakes him off and moves away.
Negi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zoeke will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Negi darts in looking for a takedown but Zoeke gets double underhooks and turns Negi into the cage.
Nidhi Negi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zoeke throws a nice outside leg kick.

Zoeke throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Negi was covering up waiting for the punch and Zoeke finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Zoeke stops Negi from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zoeke looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Negi is looking to stand up but Zoeke isn't so interested in that idea.
Zoeke tries to free his leg and advance position but Negi is retaining full guard.
Zoeke advances position into side control!
Negi pushes Zoeke away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Zoeke gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Negi is not content to let Zoeke control the position.
Zoeke working the head and body with strikes.

Negi throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Zoeke displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Negi.
Zoeke feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nidhi Negi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Negi looks for a takedown but Zoeke sprawls well.
Zoeke has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Zoeke takes the fight into the clinch.
Negi looking to stall.

Zoeke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Zoeke shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Negi napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Negi throws Zoeke to one side and escapes!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Zoeke moves into the clinch successfully.
Negi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zoeke blocks it with crossed arms.

Zoeke turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Zoeke manages to end up in side control.
Zoeke prevents Negi from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoeke wants to lay and pray for a moment but Negi keeps working.
Negi being controlled for a moment.

Zoeke stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Zoeke throws a head kick but Negi moves out of range.
Nidhi Negi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Negi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Negi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Zoeke feints and as Negi raises his hands in defense, Zoeke changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Negi wants to get back to his feet but Zoeke passes into half guard.
Zoeke takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zoeke wants to control but Negi is keeping him busy.

Negi manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Zoeke gets caught napping as Negi dives in and scores a takedown. Zoeke manages to retain guard.

Zoeke is working an open guard so Negi takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice sprawl there from Zoeke as Negi shoots in.

Zoeke fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Negi sprawls well initially but Zoeke persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Negi has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Zoeke is on him like a limpet, forcing Negi back against the cage.
Negi scores with a knee to the head.
Zoeke throws a punch but it's blocked by Negi.
Zoeke misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Negi.

Negi turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Negi manages to end up in side control.

Zoeke throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Zoeke closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Negi to the mat! Negi manages to get full guard.

Negi manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jeremy Zoeke will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Negi shoots for a double leg takedown but Zoeke sprawls well. He's pushed Negi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Zoeke gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Negi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zoeke has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zoeke manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Negi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zoeke's face.

Zoeke breaks from the clinch.
Negi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zoeke as he avoids it easily.
Negi has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nidhi Negi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zoeke moves into the clinch.

Zoeke is trying to trip Negi. He has hold of a leg but Negi is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Zoeke persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zoeke trying to control but Negi is working from the bottom.
Zoeke is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zoeke decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Negi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Zoeke counters by clinching up.

Zoeke has picked Negi up - he's going for a ride! Zoeke dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Negi has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Zoeke is on him like a limpet, forcing Negi back against the cage.
Zoeke just leaning against Negi, taking a breather.

Zoeke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Negi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Zoeke shoots in and gets a takedown into Negi's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Negi manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zoeke prevents the takedown attempt.
Negi looking to throw knees to the head but Zoeke is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zoeke lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Zoeke slowing the pace effectively.
Negi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Negi tries to land a knee to the head but Zoeke blocks with his arms.

Zoeke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zoeke throws a body punch but Negi moves out of range.
Negi looks for a takedown but Zoeke sprawls well.
Zoeke throws a jab when Negi was well out of range.

Zoeke closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Negi to the mat! Negi manages to get full guard.

Negi manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Negi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zoeke blocks it with crossed arms.

Zoeke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zoeke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Negi shoots in but no luck this time.
Negi fails to land the takedown.

Zoeke fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Negi to the ground. Zoeke is now in Negi's guard.
Zoeke tries to free his leg and advance position but Negi is retaining full guard.

Zoeke gets to his feet - Negi follows without any prompting.
Zoeke defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Negi.

Zoeke shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Negi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Negi pushes Zoeke off and gets back to his feet.
Zoeke stuffs the takedown.

Negi shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Negi was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Zoeke explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Negi fails to land the takedown.
It seemed like Zoeke was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Zoeke shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Negi manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Negi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zoeke's face.
Nice body punch from Negi - that landed with a thud.

Zoeke pulls Negi into guard.

Negi gets to his feet. Zoeke looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Negi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Negi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zoeke sprawls well. Zoeke wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Negi gets slowly back to his feet.
Zoeke looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jeremy Zoeke.
Well Zoeke has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeremy Zoeke!