PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nango Chekananwangi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Garfunkel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Garfunkel has chosen Haifisch as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Chekananwangi
vs
Garfunkel

190 cm
35
244 lbs
16 - 7 - 1

208 cm
38
272 lbs
27 - 17 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 16 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Nango Chekananwangi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Frank Garfunkel!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Elvis Blanc and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Garfunkel.
Garfunkel misses with a shot to the body
and Chekananwangi counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Frank Garfunkel has been cut.
Garfunkel looks to score with a jab to the body but Chekananwangi is just out of range.
Garfunkel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Chekananwangi.
Chekananwangi staying out of range there.
A punch combination from Chekananwangi misses.
Chekananwangi moves in looking to clinch but Garfunkel pushes him off.
Garfunkel throws an off balance right hand
and Chekananwangi counters with a stiff right hand.
Frank Garfunkel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Garfunkel staying out of range there.
Chekananwangi slips under a jab from Garfunkel.
A little feinted left hand from Chekananwangi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Garfunkel misses the target.
Chekananwangi swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Chekananwangi misses with a few strikes there.
Garfunkel moves out of range of the strikes.
Chekananwangi tries to clinch up.
Garfunkel lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garfunkel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Chekananwangi.
Garfunkel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Garfunkel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Chekananwangi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Chekananwangi connects with a right hand. Garfunkel shakes it off.
A leg kick checked by Chekananwangi.
A looping hook to the body misses from Garfunkel. Chekananwangi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Garfunkel takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Chekananwangi scores with a sloppy right hand. Garfunkel should have avoided that one.
Chekananwangi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Garfunkel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Chekananwangi appears to be looking for a big counter.
Garfunkel just misses with a punch to the body.

Garfunkel darts in and clinches Chekananwangi up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Garfunkel fails to land.
Chekananwangi lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chekananwangi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Garfunkel misses with some punches.
Garfunkel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Chekananwangi as the two fighters clinch.
Chekananwangi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Chekananwangi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Chekananwangi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Garfunkel misses with the head strike.
Garfunkel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Garfunkel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Chekananwangi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Chekananwangi pushes Garfunkel back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Chekananwangi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chekananwangi lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That has opened up Frank Garfunkel's cut even more.
Chekananwangi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Chekananwangi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Garfunkel lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Garfunkel.
Chekananwangi blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Chekananwangi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Garfunkel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekananwangi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Chekananwangi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Garfunkel falls off balance throwing a combination
and Chekananwangi counters with a one-two to the body.
Chekananwangi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Garfunkel misses with a left hand
and Garfunkel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A big left from Garfunkel misses.
Garfunkel throws a hook but Chekananwangi blocks it.
Chekananwangi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Chekananwangi misses the target.
Nango Chekananwangi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Chekananwangi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Garfunkel tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chekananwangi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Garfunkel somewhat.
Chekananwangi swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Chekananwangi misses with a low kick.
Chekananwangi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garfunkel throws a looping overhand right but Chekananwangi ducks down to avoid it.
Chekananwangi throws a shot from downtown. Garfunkel moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Garfunkel misses the target.
Chekananwangi throwing a counter right hand but Garfunkel manages to avoid it.

Garfunkel fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Chekananwangi sprawls well initially but Garfunkel persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Chekananwangi looking for submissions off his back.
Chekananwangi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Garfunkel throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Chekananwangi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Chekananwangi looking for submissions off his back.

Chekananwangi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Garfunkel looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
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 Nango Chekananwangi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Frank Garfunkel's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Garfunkel scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Chekananwangi looking for submissions off his back.

Chekananwangi looking for submissions off his back.
Chekananwangi is staying active underneath Garfunkel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Chekananwangi actively working from the bottom here.
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. Garfunkel connects with a nice short shot to Chekananwangi's temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garfunkel takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Garfunkel is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Chekananwangi wants to improve his position but Garfunkel is controlling well.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Garfunkel lands a nice short elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chekananwangi looking for submissions off his back.
Chekananwangi has hold of Garfunkel's hands but Garfunkel slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Chekananwangi is trying to get back to full guard.

Chekananwangi looking for submissions off his back.
Garfunkel wants to take a breather but Chekananwangi is having none of it.

Chekananwangi looking for submissions off his back.
Garfunkel working the head and body with strikes.
Garfunkel wants to control but Chekananwangi is keeping him busy.
The fighters are battling for position here. Chekananwangi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Garfunkel with a nice head shot there.
Garfunkel wants to control from the top but Chekananwangi keeps moving.
Garfunkel is working Chekananwangi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chekananwangi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Garfunkel trying to control but Chekananwangi is working from the bottom.
Chekananwangi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Garfunkel controls the pace.
Garfunkel wants to control from the top but Chekananwangi keeps moving.

Chekananwangi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Garfunkel slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Chekananwangi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Garfunkel defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekananwangi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Garfunkel.

Chekananwangi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Garfunkel defends it easily.
Garfunkel lands a couple of elbows.
Frank Garfunkel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Garfunkel lands a couple of elbows.
Garfunkel scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Garfunkel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Chekananwangi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Garfunkel defends it easily.
Chekananwangi wants to sweep here but Garfunkel controlling him for the moment.
Garfunkel wants to control from the top but Chekananwangi keeps moving.
Garfunkel cracks Chekananwangi with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garfunkel lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Chekananwangi keeping moving, preventing Garfunkel from controlling successfully.
Garfunkel distracts Chekananwangi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Chekananwangi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Garfunkel defends it easily.
Garfunkel stands up over Chekananwangi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Chekananwangi looking for a guillotine here but Garfunkel defends easily.
Garfunkel working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Garfunkel is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Garfunkel tries to free his leg and advance position but Chekananwangi is retaining full guard.

Garfunkel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Chekananwangi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Garfunkel gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Garfunkel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Frank Garfunkel's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Chekananwangi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Garfunkel was well out of range. Poor timing from Chekananwangi.
Garfunkel scores with a jab to the jaw.
Garfunkel throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Chekananwangi on the side of the head.
Garfunkel throws a solid leg kick but Chekananwangi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Garfunkel.
A telegraphed right hand from Garfunkel misses the target.
Chekananwangi is looking to counter punch.

Garfunkel tries to keep at a distance but Chekananwangi has taken the fight into the clinch.
Garfunkel throws a punch but it's blocked by Chekananwangi.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Chekananwangi.
A nice left hand lands by Garfunkel.
Chekananwangi lands with a right to the head.
I was talking to Chekananwangi's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Garfunkel fails to land.
Garfunkel swings wildly with an uppercut but Chekananwangi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chekananwangi lands with a light punch inside.

Chekananwangi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Chekananwangi shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Garfunkel eats them both and turns towards Chekananwangi to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garfunkel misses with a straight right.
A jab from Garfunkel finds it's way through Chekananwangi's defenses.
Garfunkel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Chekananwangi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Chekananwangi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Chekananwangi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Chekananwangi.
Garfunkel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Chekananwangi counters with a good low kick that Garfunkel was not able to check.
Garfunkel misses with a looping right.
A big right from Chekananwangi misses.

Garfunkel clinches up with Chekananwangi and pushes him back against the cage.
Chekananwangi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Chekananwangi stops a takedown attempt from Garfunkel.
Garfunkel lands a left hand.
Garfunkel lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Chekananwangi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Garfunkel is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Garfunkel.
Nango Chekananwangi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chekananwangi scores with a hook to the body.
Garfunkel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Chekananwangi lands with a light punch inside.

Chekananwangi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice jab there from Chekananwangi.
Chekananwangi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Garfunkel.
Garfunkel misses with a right hand
enabling Chekananwangi to counter with a crisp jab.
Chekananwangi misses with a looping left.
Chekananwangi blocks a jab.
A little feinted left hand from Chekananwangi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Garfunkel looks to throw the jab but Chekananwangi is out of range.
Chekananwangi walks into a stiff left hand from Garfunkel.
Chekananwangi tries to move into range but Garfunkel moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garfunkel lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Chekananwangi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Chekananwangi lands a slapping body shot.
Garfunkel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chekananwangi.
Chekananwangi went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Chekananwangi cracks Garfunkel with an open hand slap.
Chekananwangi misses with a right hand
and Garfunkel counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Garfunkel throws a big shot that misses.
It looked like Chekananwangi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Chekananwangi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Chekananwangi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Garfunkel.
Garfunkel swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Garfunkel has taken the fight to the clinch.
Chekananwangi swings wildly with an uppercut but Garfunkel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chekananwangi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garfunkel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chekananwangi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chekananwangi can't find room to land a body shot as Garfunkel controls the action.
A nice right hand lands inside from Chekananwangi.
A head punch on the inside from Garfunkel fails to land.
Chekananwangi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Garfunkel backwards.
Chekananwangi pushes Garfunkel back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Chekananwangi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Garfunkel clinches up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Chekananwangi.

Chekananwangi manages to break the clinch.
Chekananwangi misses with the combination.
It seemed like Garfunkel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Chekananwangi slips a jab from Garfunkel.
Garfunkel scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nango Chekananwangi.
I think Chekananwangi 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nango Chekananwangi!
A victorious Nango Chekananwangi thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.