PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Barack Obama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Philippe Njewel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Obama
vs
Philippe Njewel

170 cm
25
142 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

170 cm
35
145 lbs
26 - 15 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Barack Obama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Martin Philippe Njewel!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Njewel has closed the distance and engaged Obama in a clinch.
Obama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Njewel is looking to break free of the clinch but Obama has double underhooks.

Njewel manages to break the clinch.
Njewel needs to keep his hands up - Obama had a free shot at his head there.

Obama rushes Njewel and presses him up against the cage.
Obama misses with a hook to the ribs.
Obama throws a punch but it's blocked by Njewel.
Njewel tries to break the clinch but Obama is controlling the position.
Njewel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Obama tries to throw a body punch but Njewel avoids it by throwing Obama back against the cage.
Obama doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Obama lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Obama swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Obama scores with a hook to the body.
Njewel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Obama is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Njewel is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obama struggles to land a body shot inside as Njewel controls his hands.
Njewel is looking to break free of the clinch but Obama has double underhooks.
Obama misses with some punches.

Njewel breaks the clinch.
Obama tries to clinch up but Njewel circles away and keeps his distance.

Njewel closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Obama's coaches at Bullet Proof Dungeon have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Obama wants to improve his position but Njewel is controlling well.
Njewel seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Obama does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Obama is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Njewel's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Njewel's back!

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

Njewel defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.

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!
Obama keeping full guard, as Njewel tries to pass.
Obama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Obama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Obama looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Njewel preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Njewel tries to stand but Obama is controlling from the bottom.
Njewel trying to control the position from guard on top but Obama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Njewel lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Obama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Njewel is aware though and is defending well.
Njewel wants to pass the guard but Obama is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Njewel scoring with some ground and pound.
Njewel preventing the sweep.
Njewel not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Njewel wants to get up but he can't break Obama's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

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.
Njewel won't allow Obama to sweep him here.
Njewel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Obama is keeping the position for now.

Obama looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Obama looking for subs off his back but Njewel has passed one foot through into half guard.
Obama gets full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Obama wants to sweep here but Njewel controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Barack Obama will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Obama misses the shot to the body.
Njewel wants to counter the offense by Obama and move into the clinch position.
Njewel is looking to clinch but Obama is avoiding it.
Njewel tries to clinch but Obama is having none of it.
Obama swings for the body but Njewel moves out of range.

Obama throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Njewel tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Obama is in Njewel's guard.
Obama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Njewel can't keep his opponent in guard - Obama advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Njewel wants to get back to his feet.
Obama frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Njewel regains half guard.
Obama is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Njewel!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obama wants to get back to his feet but Njewel is holding on tight.
Njewel tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Njewel holds on to Obama around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
Njewel is trying desperately to improve position.
Njewel tries to lock up and control but Obama gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Njewel sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Obama tries to pass to full mount but Njewel defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Obama is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Obama wants to work for an arm triangle but Njewel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Obama moves into full mount! Njewel won't be happy about that!
Njewel is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Obama jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Njewel is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Njewel and Obama has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Obama is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Njewel has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Njewel struggling a bit here.
Obama wants to stand but Njewel has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.

Njewel is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Obama works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Njewel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Njewel won't allow Obama to pass to mount.

Obama is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Obama is working for a submission of some sort.
Njewel tries to kick Obama off but Obama keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Njewel won't allow Obama to pass to mount.
Njewel trying to hold on to Obama's head to control him but Obama postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Barack Obama dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Obama takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Obama fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Njewel avoids it really well and circles away.

Obama gets caught napping as Njewel dives in and scores a takedown. Obama manages to retain guard.
Njewel preventing the sweep.

Obama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Njewel is aware though and is defending well.
Njewel distracts Obama with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Njewel advances position into side control!
Obama is trying to get back to half guard.
Njewel staying calm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obama sneaks back into half guard.

Obama looking for submissions off his back.

Obama looking for submissions off his back.
Obama tries to get to full guard but Njewel has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Njewel lands strikes from half guard.
Njewel not doing much here.

Obama actively working from the bottom here.
Njewel content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Obama tries to roll over but Njewel keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Obama looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Njewel not doing much here.

Obama looking for subs from the bottom but Njewel mounts him!
Obama is looking to improve his position but Njewel isn't that keen on the idea.
Njewel raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Njewel manages to capitalize on a mistake by Obama to take his back!
Njewel softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Obama is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Njewel controls the action.
Obama staying busy and making it hard for Njewel to control.
Obama tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Barack Obama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Obama is looking to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Obama is squirming around, avoiding Njewel's attempts to control the action.
Martin Philippe Njewel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Njewel in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

And that's the end of the fight!
Martin Philippe Njewel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Obama 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!