PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pernar Nexhip (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Freddie Stokes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Stokes's choice of entrance music: Never Scared by Whole Wheat Bread. Pernar Nexhip has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Nexhip
vs
Stokes

190 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Pernar Nexhip!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Freddie Stokes!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Sandra Marshall and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Stokes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nexhip keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stokes.
Nexhip lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
No joy there for Stokes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nexhip dives in for a single leg takedown but Stokes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stokes wants to clinch up but Nexhip keeps it at a distance.
Nexhip misses with a wild combination.
It seemed like Stokes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Stokes misses with an uppercut.
Stokes throws a lazy right hand but Nexhip sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nexhip slips a straight right by Stokes.
Nexhip fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stokes! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stokes misses with a looping right.
Nexhip avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Stokes is looking to clinch but Nexhip is avoiding it.
Stokes throws the left hand but Nexhip avoids the punch easily.
Nexhip fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stokes avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pernar Nexhip. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nexhip dodges the punch combination from Stokes.
Nexhip throws a big counter combination but Stokes scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nexhip definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A jab from Stokes misses.
A swing and a miss from Stokes.
It looked like Nexhip was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
The fighters circling - Stokes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stokes throws a shot from downtown. Nexhip moves away and avoids it.
Nexhip tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stokes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nexhip somewhat.

Nexhip fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stokes, pushing him back against the cage.
Nexhip prevents a body shot from Stokes.
Stokes taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stokes.
Stokes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Stokes can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stokes is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Stokes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nexhip swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stokes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stokes working aggressively here.
Stokes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stokes creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Stokes misses with an elbow over the top.
Nexhip blocks a body shot from Stokes.
Nexhip prevents a body shot from Stokes.
Nexhip fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Stokes manages to break the clinch.
Nexhip ducks under a wild hook from Stokes.
Stokes tries to close the distance and clinch but Nexhip swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stokes misses with an uppercut.
Nexhip dodges the punch combination from Stokes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stokes throws a hook but Nexhip blocks it.
Stokes misses with a looping right.
Nexhip is looking to counter punch.
Stokes missing with a left hand there. Nexhip was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nexhip seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Nexhip moves into the clinch.
Nexhip is trying to break the clinch but Stokes is controlling him.
Stokes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nexhip prevents Stokes from breaking the clinch.
Stokes throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nexhip.
Stokes misses with a punch to the body.
Nexhip throws a punch but it's blocked by Stokes.
Stokes throws a punch but it's blocked by Nexhip.
A head punch on the inside from Stokes fails to land.
Nexhip lands a left hand.
Stokes is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stokes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stokes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nexhip wants to break free but Stokes has control.
Nexhip has a couple of punches blocked by Stokes.
Stokes swings wildly with an uppercut but Nexhip uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nexhip has a couple of punches blocked by Stokes.
Stokes can't find room to land a body shot as Nexhip controls the action.
Stokes misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nexhip fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stokes working aggressively here.
Nexhip fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stokes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stokes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stokes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Nexhip fails to land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nexhip is looking to break free of the clinch but Stokes has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Freddie Stokes dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Stokes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stokes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nexhip.
Stokes misses with a straight left.
Nexhip doesn't manage to clinch there - Stokes circles away.
Pernar Nexhip is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nexhip is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nexhip darts in looking for a takedown but Stokes gets double underhooks and turns Nexhip into the cage.
The fighters circling - Stokes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stokes misses with a hook.
Nexhip appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Stokes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Stokes gets tackled into the cage by Nexhip. Nexhip maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stokes is trying to maintain a safe position but Nexhip gets an underhook and turns Stokes into the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Stokes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nexhip fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stokes misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nexhip tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stokes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Stokes loads up on a big right hand but Nexhip slips the punch.
Stokes throws a big shot that misses.
Stokes misses with a straight left.
Nexhip tries to close the distance and clinch but Stokes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nexhip uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stokes.
A big left from Nexhip misses.
Stokes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nexhip circles away quickly and effectively.
Stokes missing with a left hand there. Nexhip was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nexhip slips a jab from Stokes.
Nice defenses there by Nexhip.
Freddie Stokes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stokes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stokes throws a shot from downtown. Nexhip moves away and avoids it.
Nexhip slips under a jab.
Stokes throws a body shot but no joy.
Nexhip tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A little jabbing left from Stokes on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Stokes might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nexhip slips a jab from Stokes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stokes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nexhip slips under a jab from Stokes.
Nexhip appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nexhip wants to clinch up but Stokes keeps it at a distance.
Stokes misses with an uppercut. Nexhip saw that one coming.
Nexhip is looking for a counter combo.
Stokes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nexhip swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stokes looks to score with a jab to the body but Nexhip is just out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Nexhip misses the target.
Stokes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stokes misses with a lunging right hand
and Nexhip counters with a three punch combo that has Stokes backing up. Stokes nods at Nexhip to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No luck for Nexhip with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pernar Nexhip. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stokes throws a looping overhand right but Nexhip ducks down to avoid it.
Stokes misses with a looping right.
Stokes missing with a left hand there. Nexhip was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stokes throws an overhand right that lands on Nexhip's shoulder, as Nexhip tries to avoid the shot.
Stokes throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nexhip sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stokes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nexhip moves away.
Stokes misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nexhip shoots for a double leg takedown but Stokes sprawls well. He's pushed Nexhip's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stokes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A big left from Stokes misses.
Nexhip is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stokes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No joy there for Nexhip, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stokes looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stokes throws a series of punches but Nexhip moves out of range.
Stokes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nexhip moves away.
Stokes stuffs the takedown.
Stokes lands a jab.
Stokes misses with the combination.
Stokes throws the left hand but Nexhip avoids the punch easily.
Stokes tries to close the distance and clinch but Nexhip swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stokes just misses with a punch to the body.
Stokes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nexhip manages to avoid it.
Stokes misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stokes misses with a wild body shot.
Stokes throws a shot from downtown. Nexhip moves away and avoids it.
Stokes throws a hook but Nexhip blocks it.
Freddie Stokes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nexhip ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stokes moves away.
A jab from Stokes misses.
Nexhip uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stokes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Nexhip moves into the clinch.
Stokes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stokes throws an elbow that misses.
Pernar Nexhip has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nexhip tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stokes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stokes misses with a punch to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stokes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stokes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nexhip has had enough of the clinch but Stokes keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Freddie Stokes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Nexhip tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nexhip shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stokes but Stokes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nexhip.
Nexhip fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stokes avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pernar Nexhip. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nexhip avoids the body shot from Stokes.
A big left from Stokes misses.
Stokes throws a looping overhand right but Nexhip ducks down to avoid it.
Stokes looks to throw the jab but Nexhip is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stokes doesn't manage to clinch there - Nexhip circles away.
Stokes throws the left hand but Nexhip avoids the punch easily.
Nexhip slips under a jab from Stokes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stokes misses with a body shot.
Nexhip slips under a jab.
Stokes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nexhip slips under a jab from Stokes.
Nexhip uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stokes.

Stokes moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nexhip.
Stokes throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Stokes has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stokes can't find room to land a body shot as Nexhip controls the action.
Nexhip misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stokes blocks an uppercut.
Stokes throws an elbow but it misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Stokes just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nexhip's brow.
Nexhip blocks the elbow strike.
Stokes trying to control the position but instead, Nexhip has worked for underhooks and has pushed Stokes into the cage.
Stokes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stokes throws a punch but it's blocked by Nexhip.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nexhip blocks an elbow strike.
Stokes tries to work over Nexhip's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stokes keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nexhip's efforts to push away.
Stokes wants to break free but Nexhip has control.
Nexhip blocking some punches.
Nexhip is trying to force a seperation but Stokes has the dominant position.
Stokes tries to work over Nexhip's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stokes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Nexhip.
Stokes stalling in the clinch.
Stokes looking to slow down the pace here.
Stokes's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Stokes just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nexhip's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stokes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nexhip tries to clinch up.
Nexhip tries to clinch but Stokes is having none of it.
Stokes takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nexhip shoots in and drives through. Stokes sprawls well.
Nexhip fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stokes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nexhip shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stokes as he avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Stokes on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Stokes misses the jab.
Nexhip wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nexhip ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nexhip tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stokes swivels and escapes.
Stokes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nexhip.
Stokes loads up on a big right hand but Nexhip slips the punch.
Stokes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Stokes misses its intended target.
Stokes throws a shot from downtown. Nexhip moves away and avoids it.
Stokes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nexhip shoots in but Stokes avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stokes misses with an uppercut. Nexhip saw that one coming.
Stokes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nexhip.
Nexhip throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stokes throws out a counter right but Nexhip avoids it with no problem.
Nexhip uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stokes.
Nexhip ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A little feinted left hand from Nexhip on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Stokes misses with a hook.
Stokes throws out a loose jab but Nexhip uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nexhip went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Stokes misses with a double jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A swing and a miss from Stokes.
Stokes slips a straight right by Nexhip.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stokes throws a hook to the side of Nexhip's head but Nexhip sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stokes doesn't manage to clinch there - Nexhip circles away.
Pernar Nexhip has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Freddie Stokes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stokes dodges the punch combination from Nexhip.
Stokes now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Freddie Stokes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stokes has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30

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