PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Ventura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Anthony Ventura's chin.

Rodrigo Nogueira
vs
Ventura

191 cm
40
260 lbs
30 - 15 - 0

204 cm
34
265 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Powerful

Sydney Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Anthony Ventura!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Damien Edna and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigo Nogueira showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ventura.
Ventura throws a combination that misses

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ventura won't be happy with that.

Ventura explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Anthony Ventura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ventura throws a lazy uppercut

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rodrigo Nogueira.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodrigo Nogueira wants to control from the top but Ventura keeps moving.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws an elbow that misses. Ventura uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rodrigo Nogueira's guard. Nice move by Ventura!

Rodrigo Nogueira has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ventura can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rodrigo Nogueira has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Rodrigo Nogueira looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira looking to control but Ventura passes into half guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Ventura postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Rodrigo Nogueira to stand up.
Ventura clobbers Rodrigo Nogueira with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

It looks like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has been cut.
Ventura misses the jab.
Ventura misses with a lunging right hand

and Rodrigo Nogueira decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ventura's guard.
Ventura wants to stand up but Rodrigo Nogueira is controlling him.
Rodrigo Nogueira might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ventura is adopting a defensive guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira cracks Ventura with a solid left hand.
Rodrigo Nogueira stands and throws Ventura's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Rodrigo Nogueira goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ventura rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rodrigo Nogueira's guard! Nice work there by Ventura!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rodrigo Nogueira has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Ventura is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Rodrigo Nogueira.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Rodrigo Nogueira's face as Ventura controls the position.
Rodrigo Nogueira can't do much from the bottom here.
Rodrigo Nogueira is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Rodrigo Nogueira regains half guard.
Ventura controlling the action here.

That's four 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.
Ventura uses his free foot to push down on Rodrigo Nogueira's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Rodrigo Nogueira.
Ventura controlling the position easily from mount.
Rodrigo Nogueira is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Ventura dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ventura looks to throw the jab but Rodrigo Nogueira is out of range.
Ventura scores with a one two! Rodrigo Nogueira had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ventura throws a nice looking combination but Rodrigo Nogueira bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ventura works over Rodrigo Nogueira's head and body with a nice combination.
Ventura connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ventura throws a leg kick

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a takedown into side control.

Ventura explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodrigo Nogueira slips a jab from Ventura.
Rodrigo Nogueira changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ventura throws a right hand that misses

and Rodrigo Nogueira decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ventura's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira wants to control from the top but Ventura keeps moving.
Rodrigo Nogueira slips nicely into half guard.
Ventura is trying to stand.

Rodrigo Nogueira is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ventura is just riding it out for now. Rodrigo Nogueira eventually gives up the hold.
Rodrigo Nogueira sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ventura defending well though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rodrigo Nogueira connects with a nice short shot to Ventura's temple.
Anthony Ventura has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ventura wants to get back to his feet.
Ventura has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two 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.
Rodrigo Nogueira thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ventura's head.

Rodrigo Nogueira wants to work for an arm triangle but Ventura is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ventura is holding on to half guard well.
Ventura is looking to escape.
Ventura tries to roll over but Rodrigo Nogueira keeps him under control.
Rodrigo Nogueira missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ventura is refusing to be controlled, as Rodrigo Nogueira sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigo Nogueira is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ventura defends it well.
Ventura avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rodrigo Nogueira.
Rodrigo Nogueira lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ventura has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rodrigo Nogueira is working away from the top position though.
Rodrigo Nogueira winds up and cracks Ventura with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rodrigo Nogueira stalling away here and it's allowed Ventura to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira works over Ventura with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ventura is pulling down on Rodrigo Nogueira's head. It's preventing any offense from Rodrigo Nogueira, at least for the moment.
Rodrigo Nogueira trying to control but Ventura is working from the bottom.
Rodrigo Nogueira throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rodrigo Nogueira throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rodrigo Nogueira wants to control from the top but Ventura keeps moving.

Rodrigo Nogueira has gone for a leg lock! Ventura slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rodrigo Nogueira's guard.

Ventura 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anthony Ventura will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ventura throws a big shot that misses.
Rodrigo Nogueira attempts a counter takedown but Ventura avoids it well and moves away.
Ventura scores with a hook.
Ventura throws a left and a right that both miss

so Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws an elbow that misses. Ventura uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rodrigo Nogueira's guard. Nice move by Ventura!

Ventura stopping the sweep attempt from Rodrigo Nogueira.

Ventura stands up and waves to Rodrigo Nogueira to follow him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ventura thows a leg kick but Rodrigo Nogueira checks it

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodrigo Nogueira throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ventura to regain full guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ventura wants to stand and escape but Rodrigo Nogueira is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira trying to control but Ventura is working from the bottom.
Ventura trying to keep a closed guard but Rodrigo Nogueira is proving a slippery customer.
Rodrigo Nogueira is looking to advance position but Ventura has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Rodrigo Nogueira is looking to get to half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ventura working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Ventura tries to control but Rodrigo Nogueira wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira is trying to escape the mount.
Ventura looking to control but Rodrigo Nogueira is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rodrigo Nogueira bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Rodrigo Nogueira throws a big elbow that misses.
Rodrigo Nogueira with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ventura 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ventura utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rodrigo Nogueira preventing the sweep.
Rodrigo Nogueira trying to control the position from guard on top but Ventura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ventura working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodrigo Nogueira.
Anthony Ventura is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rodrigo Nogueira trying to control but Ventura is working from the bottom.
Rodrigo Nogueira with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rodrigo Nogueira trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rodrigo Nogueira working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ventura's head.

Rodrigo Nogueira drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ventura manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rodrigo Nogueira has Ventura in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ventura is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Rodrigo Nogueira working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ventura doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ventura manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rodrigo Nogueira wants to stand up but Ventura is controlling him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rodrigo Nogueira looking for subs off his back but Ventura has passed one foot through into half guard.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ventura is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Anthony Ventura.
I've got Ventura winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Ventura!
After winning the bout, Anthony Ventura thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.