PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nicodemo Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonqw Fray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Romero comes to the cage accompanied by Lords Of Salem . 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.

Romero
vs
Fray

177 cm
32
160 lbs
20 - 16 - 1

160 cm
31
170 lbs
21 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

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 20 - 16 - 1, fighting out of London, Nicodemo Romero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jonqw Fray!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fray avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fray lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Romero tries to clinch up but Fray circles away and keeps his distance.
Fray changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've been informed that Fray 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.
Romero lands with a good body shot.
Romero punishes Fray's body with a nice straight punch.
Fray misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Romero.
Romero misses with a head kick.
Romero tries to clinch but Fray moves out of range.
Fray takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Romero throws a body punch but Fray moves out of range.
Romero avoids the body shot from Fray.
Romero is looking to counter the offense by Fray and move into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fray jabs at Romero's body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Fray or perhaps it was just good defense by Romero, which made it look bad.
Romero closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Romero throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fray wants to land a leg kick but Romero is out of range.
Romero tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fray paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fray swats away the attempt to clinch by Romero.
Romero scores with a jab to the body.
Fray buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Romero moves into the clinch.
Fray looking for a takedown.

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

Fray is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Fray looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Fray thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Romero's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Romero looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Romero keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Fray thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Romero's head.
Romero keeping control of the position.

Romero looking for submissions off his back.
Romero trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero is trying to get back to full guard.

Fray is trying to work for a kimura but Romero is defending well.

Fray seems to be working for a kimura but Romero defends the submission attempt.
Fray trying to control from half guard but Romero is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Romero is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fray pulls his head out easily.
Fray thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Fray lands with a punch from half guard.
Fray prevents Romero from improving his position.
Fray is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

Fray got a little sloppy there for a moment and Romero has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fray has managed to get both his arms back between Romero's legs - danger averted.
Fray pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Romero is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fray throwing strikes but missing.

Romero looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Fray passes into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonqw Fray dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fray tries to land a body kick
and Romero counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Romero avoids the body shot from Fray.
The fighters circling - Fray throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fray ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Romero moves away.
Romero defending well as Fray loads up on a big left hand.
Fray has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Romero fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fray throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Romero pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Romero is looking to clinch.
Jab by Fray.
Romero fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fray manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fray swats away the attempt to clinch by Romero.
Fray uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Romero.
Jonqw Fray seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab, jab by Romero - just one landing.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
An elbow from Fray crashes against the mat.
Fray lands a nice forearm strike.
Romero manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fray's best efforts.
Fray has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Romero is doing well to control the position and prevent Fray from advancing to side control.
Fray is looking to pass Romero's guard but actually Romero recovers to full guard.
Romero trying to control the position here.
Fray trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fray wants to pass the guard but Romero is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fray drops back, looking for a kneebar! Romero looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Romero looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Romero!

Romero will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Romero working away.
Fray is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Romero off and has taken his back!
Romero holding both Fray 's hands and preventing any damage.
Romero trying to control the position but Fray manages to sink in the hooks.

Romero is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero is trying to remain composed but Fray is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Romero trying to control the position but Fray manages to sink in the hooks.

Fray is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Romero defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Fray throwing wild punches that miss their target.
You can see the frustration on Romero's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Romero is working hard here to advance position.
Romero covers up after that shot from Fray.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero just trying to survive but Fray is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Romero preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Fray.
Romero wants to control his opponent's hands but Fray gets his hands free.
Fray throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Fray is not going to allow Romero to sit and survive in this position.

Romero is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Romero rolls, trying to escape but Fray keeps control of the position.
Romero trying to control the position but Fray manages to sink in the hooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonqw Fray showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Fray fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Romero manages to avoid it.
Nice cross by Romero.
Romero missing with a left hand there. Fray was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A low kick from Fray is predictable there
and Romero connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fray swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fray needs to keep his hands up - Romero had a free shot at his head there.
A punch combination from Romero misses.
Romero is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Romero looks to throw the jab but Fray is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Romero rushes Fray and presses him up against the cage.
Romero fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fray tries to score a body lock takedown but Romero shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Romero avoids the elbow strike from Fray, against the cage.
Romero comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fray is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Romero gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Fray is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nicodemo Romero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonqw Fray.
With the fighters up against the cage, Romero throws an elbow but misses.
Our sources have told us that Romero has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Still in the clinch, Romero scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fray has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Romero avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fray slowing the pace effectively.
Romero tries to throw a body punch but Fray avoids it by throwing Romero back against the cage.
Fray takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Jonqw Fray has been cut.
A body shot lands from Romero.
Romero stops a takedown attempt from Fray.
Romero tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Romero gets underhooks to prevent Fray's takedown attempt.

Fray is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Romero can't fight it off and eventually Fray manages to take the fight to the floor. Romero looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fray takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Romero has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fray wants to control from the top but Romero keeps moving.
Romero has momentary wrist control but Fray slips an elbow through the middle.
Fray throws a big elbow that misses.
Fray is looking to work some ground and pound but Romero has wrist control.

Romero working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fray doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fray manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fray trying to control but Romero is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Romero trying to keep a closed guard but Fray is proving a slippery customer.
Fray pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Romero is keeping the position for now.
Fray stopping the sweep attempt from Romero.
Fray postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fray content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Romero is trying to control the position but Fray postures up.
Jonqw Fray has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fray pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Romero is keeping the position for now.
Fray advances position into side control!
Fray working away.
Fray lands a decent elbow from side control.

Fray wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Romero, who protects the arm well.

Fray thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Romero sneaks back into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nicodemo Romero showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Fray has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonqw Fray!
Jonqw Fray took some time post fight to say the following; 'You were saying Mon Ami.'.