PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tebato Nakara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lopez comes to the cage accompanied by Vamos. Nakara has chosen Melle Mel & Grandmaster Caz - The Battle Is On as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Lopez
vs
Nakara

181 cm
41
162 lbs
45 - 14 - 2

177 cm
36
169 lbs
16 - 16 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
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 45 - 14 - 2, fighting out of New York, Miguel Lopez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Tebato Nakara!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Lopez both land. Nice combination.
Good standup being displayed there by Lopez as he connects with a hook.
Nakara shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lopez eats them both and turns towards Nakara to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Lopez misses with a combination
and Nakara counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Nakara has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Nakara buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lopez scores with a head kick. Nakara tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Nakara attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nakara closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lopez circles away.
Lopez throws a quick counter kick to the body but Nakara avoids it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nakara checks the leg kick.
Nakara throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lopez throws a big counter combination but Nakara scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Lopez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nakara throws a leg kick but Lopez checks it.
Nakara misses with a kick to the body.
Lopez appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nakara cracks the inside of Lopez's front leg.
Lopez pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Nakara back to the cage. Lopez follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez misses with a wild combination.
Decent striking displayed by Lopez there.
Lopez cracks Nakara with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nakara throws a lazy uppercut
and Lopez counters with a two punch combo.
No joy there for Lopez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lopez moves out of range as Nakara strikes.
Lopez fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nakara.
Lopez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nakara.
Nakara dodges the punch combination from Lopez.
Nakara loads up on a big right hand but Lopez slips the punch.
Nakara throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakara rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lopez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tebato Nakara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lopez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Lopez slips a jab and a cross from Nakara.
Lopez blocks a head kick by Nakara.
Nakara lands with a shot to the body.
Nakara thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nakara thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lopez avoids a kick to the body.
Lopez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nakara uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Lopez has time to react.
Lopez throws a sloppy head kick and Nakara moves out of range easily.
Lopez dodges the punch combination from Nakara.
Nakara misses the body punch
and Lopez counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakara pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lopez attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lopez connects with a body shot.
Nakara throws a right and a left that Lopez avoids nicely.
Lopez looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Nakara misses with a head kick.
Lopez throws a head kick but Nakara moves out of range.
Nakara misses with a takedown attempt - Lopez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lopez tries a head kick but it misses.
Lopez moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Nakara looks to score with a jab to the body but Lopez is just out of range.
Nakara misses with a straight left.
Lopez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nakara shoots in and drives through. Lopez sprawls well.
Miguel Lopez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tebato Nakara.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakara displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lopez throws out the jab.
Lopez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nakara manages to avoid it.
Lopez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakara throws an overhand right that lands on Lopez's shoulder, as Lopez tries to avoid the shot.
It looked like Lopez was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Nakara.
Nakara throws a big shot that misses.
Lopez looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Nakara gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lopez counters with an inside leg kick.
Lopez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lopez lands a glancing blow to the side of Nakara's head.
Lopez fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Lopez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nakara.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nakara darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakara throws a combination. Lopez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lopez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nakara shoots in and drives through. Lopez sprawls well.
Lopez is looking to counter punch.
Nakara throws a looping overhand right but Lopez ducks down to avoid it.
It looked like Lopez wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lopez closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Lopez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nakara.
Nakara throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nakara misses with an uppercut. Lopez saw that one coming.
Lopez closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nakara showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lopez.
Lopez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nakara can do to turn this around?
Lopez throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nakara.
Lopez steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Nakara. That one must have hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakara missing with a left hand there. Lopez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nakara misses with a left hand
and Lopez counters with an inside leg kick.
Nakara checks the leg kick.
Nakara fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lopez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nakara tries to bum rush Lopez with a series of wild strikes but Lopez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lopez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Lopez lands a slapping body shot.
Lopez thuds his shin into the meat of Nakara's side.
Lopez ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Lopez has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nakara finds it's way round the side to connect with Lopez's head.
Nakara fails with a takedown attempt.

Nakara looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Lopez!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 tries to advance to mount but Lopez denies him.
Lopez manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nakara's best efforts.
Lopez manages to get to full guard.
Nakara passes Lopez's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Lopez is looking for a sweep. Nakara is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lopez is trying to control but can't.
Nakara tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lopez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lopez tries to kick Nakara off in order to stand up. Nakara Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

Nakara is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Lopez has escaped the position, nice work there.
Lopez is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Nakara grinds an elbow into Lopez's temple.
Nakara looks up at the clock and then as Lopez takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Nakara smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Nakara has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nakara taking a breather here.
Nakara wants to control but Lopez is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez regains half guard, as Nakara was trying to land strikes.

Lopez looking for submissions off his back.
Lopez wants to improve his position but Nakara is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lopez is looking to control Nakara's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lopez avoid being mounted?

Nakara seems to be working for a kimura but Lopez defends the submission attempt.
Nakara missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
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 the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Nakara looks for a takedown but Lopez sprawls well.
Lopez throwing a counter right hand but Nakara manages to avoid it.
Lopez looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lopez lands with a right hand.
Lopez throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nakara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lopez.
Nakara misses with a series of wild punches.
Nakara throws a series of punches but Lopez moves out of range.
Miguel Lopez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nakara steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lopez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters circling a little - Lopez finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nakara throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lopez counters with a three punch combo that has Nakara backing up. Nakara nods at Lopez to acknowledge the strikes.
Lopez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nakara fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lopez looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakara looks to score with a jab to the body but Lopez is just out of range.
Lopez seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Lopez throws a head kick but Nakara moves out of range.
Nakara with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nakara looks to land a combination but Lopez avoids it well.
Lopez is looking for a counter combo.
Nakara misses with a hook
and Lopez counters with a one-two to the body.
Lopez wants to slow Nakara down by chopping away at his legs.
Lopez misses with a looping right.
No joy there for Lopez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lopez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nakara throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Lopez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Miguel Lopez is winning the standup battle so far.
Nakara throws a series of punches but Lopez avoids them all with ease.
Nakara dives in and grabs Lopez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lopez pushes down on Nakara's head and hops out.
Nakara takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nakara throws a combination that misses
enabling Lopez to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nakara scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Lopez.
Nakara moves out of range of the leg kick from Lopez.
Lopez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nakara throws a push kick but Lopez slaps the foot to one side.
As Nakara backs away, Lopez returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Nice straight punches there by Lopez. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lopez.
Nakara misses with a few strikes there.
Nakara scores with a jab to the body.
Lopez lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lopez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nakara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lopez moves away.
Lopez quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Lopez misses with a straight right.
Nakara throws a sloppy head kick
and Nakara takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lopez.

Lopez gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Lopez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nakara's guard.

Lopez stands up from Nakara's guard - Lopez perhaps looking for a knockout.
Lopez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nakara paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A telegraphed right hand from Nakara misses the target.
It looked like Lopez wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lopez throws a lazy uppercut
letting Nakara counter with a right hand.
Nakara misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nakara rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lopez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lopez works Nakara's body with a nice hook.
Lopez throws a wild body kick that Nakara sees coming a mile off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez is looking to land body kicks.
Nakara looks to land a body kick but Lopez moved away.
Nakara checks the leg kick.
Nakara throws a counter combo.
Nakara lands a nice shot that snaps Lopez's head back.
Nakara on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Lopez lands a nice shot that snaps Nakara's head back.
Nakara tries to land a front kick but Lopez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nakara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lopez moves away.
Lopez lands a head kick. Nakara smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nakara.
Lopez throws a big counter combination but Nakara scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Miguel Lopez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tebato Nakara.
Nakara moves out of range as Lopez strikes.
Nakara misses with a looping right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Miguel Lopez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lopez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miguel Lopez!
Miguel Lopez opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.