PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Edern Ap Nudd (ranked 1951 p4p, 239 weight class) and Joe Strong (ranked 1035 p4p, 126 weight class). Ap Nudd comes to the cage accompanied by In Flames-Take This Life. Joe Strong will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Ap Nudd
vs
Strong

180 cm
36
220 lbs
20 - 16 - 0

195 cm
29
265 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London

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 20 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Edern Ap Nudd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Joe Strong!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Strong.
Edern Ap Nudd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ap Nudd missing with a left hand there. Strong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Despite the aggression on Strong's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Strong scores with a spinning back kick!
Ap Nudd rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Strong counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ap Nudd thinking.
Strong looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A big right from Ap Nudd misses.
Ap Nudd slips under a jab from Strong.
Strong shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ap Nudd lands with a good body shot.
Ap Nudd checks the leg kick.
Ap Nudd blocks a head kick by Strong.
Ap Nudd tries to land a leg kick but Strong saw it coming and moves away.
Ap Nudd throws a series of punches but Strong moves out of range.
Strong throws out a counter right but Ap Nudd avoids it with no problem.
Ap Nudd is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Strong.
Ap Nudd misses with a hook.
Ap Nudd avoids the head kick by Strong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strong fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ap Nudd throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Strong holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ap Nudd struggles to land a body shot inside as Strong controls his hands.
Strong tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ap Nudd avoids it.
Ap Nudd lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Strong backwards.
Ap Nudd goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Strong with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ap Nudd swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Strong lands a body punch.
Ap Nudd struggles to land a body shot inside as Strong controls his hands.
A right handed body shot lands from Strong.
Ap Nudd is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Strong's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Ap Nudd presses Strong against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Strong lands an uppercut.
Ap Nudd struggles to land a body shot inside as Strong controls his hands.
Ap Nudd struggles to land a body shot inside as Strong controls his hands.

Strong manages to break the clinch.
Ap Nudd checks the leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Ap Nudd on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Strong explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ap Nudd. That did some damage!
Ap Nudd throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Strong sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Strong looks to score with a jab to the body but Ap Nudd is just out of range.
And Ap Nudd counters with a quick kick to the body but Strong blocks it.
Ap Nudd throws a hook to the side of Strong's head but Strong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ap Nudd throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Strong throws a fast counter high kick but Ap Nudd manages to duck under it in time.
Ap Nudd tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Strong manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ap Nudd throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Strong counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Strong is looking to clinch.
Strong lands with a right hand.
Ap Nudd ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Strong instigates a clinch.
Strong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Strong pushes off an throws an elbow but Ap Nudd leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Strong throws a knee to the head but misses.

Strong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong scores with a jab. Ap Nudd acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Strong lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A leg kick checked by Ap Nudd.
It looked like Ap Nudd wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ap Nudd throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ap Nudd is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Strong thows a left - swing and a miss!
Strong looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Strong cracks Ap Nudd with a good jab.
Strong tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ap Nudd lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ap Nudd on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Strong. Strong obviously looking to wear him down.
Strong lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ap Nudd ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strong scores with a push kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slow jab from Strong misses its intended target.
As Strong looks to move away, Ap Nudd throws a big counter combo but Strong just gets out of the way.
Ap Nudd lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Strong at a distance.
Ap Nudd will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Strong steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Ap Nudd.
Ap Nudd steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Strong.
Ap Nudd throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ap Nudd dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Strong. That did some damage!
Strong throws a leg kick but Ap Nudd sees it coming and checks it nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Strong.
Ap Nudd throws a head kick that misses.
Strong is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ap Nudd with a body shot.
Ap Nudd throws a lazy right hand but Strong sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ap Nudd tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strong was well out of range. Poor timing from Ap Nudd.
Strong takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Strong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ap Nudd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Strong dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Strong scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ap Nudd thuds a left hand into Strong's body.
Strong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ap Nudd misses with an uppercut. Strong saw that one coming.
Ap Nudd blocks a head kick by Strong.
Ap Nudd thumps Strong with a low kick.
Ap Nudd comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Strong misses with a body shot.
Joe Strong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ap Nudd with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ap Nudd pivots, looking for a leg kick but Strong is out of range and Ap Nudd settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strong plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Strong avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Strong has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ap Nudd.
Strong dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ap Nudd. That did some damage!
Strong misses with a leg kick
and Ap Nudd connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ap Nudd scores with a head kick. Strong tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Strong gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nice body punch from Strong.
Ap Nudd connects with the punch.
Strong throws a leg kick but Ap Nudd moved away.
Ap Nudd punishes Strong's body with a nice straight punch.
Ap Nudd misses with a leg kick

and Strong counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ap Nudd tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Strong lands a nice knee to the body.
Strong comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Strong obliges.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Strong.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ap Nudd.
Ap Nudd trying to control the position but instead, Strong has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ap Nudd into the cage.
Strong throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong tries a knee to the head but Ap Nudd blocks it.

Strong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ap Nudd tries to land a body kick
letting Strong counter with a right hand.
Strong lands with a thumping leg kick.
Strong looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Strong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ap Nudd ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ap Nudd throws out a loose jab but Strong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Strong misses with a leg kick
and Ap Nudd cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ap Nudd throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ap Nudd thows a body kick. Strong tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ap Nudd. Strong does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ap Nudd misses with a body shot.
Ap Nudd thuds a left hand into Strong's body.
Ap Nudd scores with a shot to the body.
Strong closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ap Nudd counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ap Nudd scores with a body shot.
Ap Nudd throws a wild body kick that Strong sees coming a mile off.
Strong misses with a body kick.
Ap Nudd misses with a looping right.
Ap Nudd connects with a body shot.
Strong throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Strong defending well as Ap Nudd loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ap Nudd is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Strong with a nice cross.
Ap Nudd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ap Nudd throws a sloppy body shot

and Strong counters by moving into the clinch.
Strong pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Strong is trying to stall.
Strong tries to throw a body punch but Ap Nudd avoids it by throwing Strong back against the cage.
Strong scores with a nice hook to the head.
Strong misses with the head strike.
Strong misses with an elbow strike.
Strong scores with a shot to the side of Ap Nudd's head.

Strong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Strong looks to land a right hand but Ap Nudd moved out of range.
Ap Nudd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ap Nudd misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Strong.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Edern Ap Nudd will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Strong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ap Nudd misses with a right hand
and Strong counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Strong tries to land a leg kick but Ap Nudd saw it coming and moves away.
Ap Nudd misses with a wild body shot.
Strong flicks out a counter leg kick but Ap Nudd steps away.
Ap Nudd lands a glancing blow to the side of Strong's head.
Ap Nudd misses with a looping left.
Ap Nudd takes one to the side of the head.
Strong stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ap Nudd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ap Nudd lands a nice looking body kick.
Strong scores with a push kick.
Ap Nudd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Strong manages to avoid it.
Strong throws a one two combo.
Strong throws a jab but it's blocked by Ap Nudd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ap Nudd throws a leg kick but Strong sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ap Nudd scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Strong scores with a nice strike.
Ap Nudd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Strong flicks out a counter leg kick but Ap Nudd steps away.
Strong throws a leg kick which misses Ap Nudd's front leg but catches the back leg as Ap Nudd tries to avoid it.
Ap Nudd misses the shot to the body.
Ap Nudd is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ap Nudd just misses with a punch to the body.
Strong is looking to score with low kicks.
Strong avoids the body shot from Ap Nudd.
Despite the aggression on Strong's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Ap Nudd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ap Nudd throws a head kick that misses.
Strong goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ap Nudd punishes Strong's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ap Nudd throws a body shot but no joy.
Strong appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Strong wants to clinch up but Ap Nudd keeps it at a distance.
Strong chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ap Nudd blocks a low kick nicely.
Strong misses with a left hand
and Ap Nudd counters with a one-two to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Strong listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ap Nudd takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Strong throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ap Nudd.
Strong connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ap Nudd tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strong was well out of range. Poor timing from Ap Nudd.
Strong moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ap Nudd throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Strong chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ap Nudd can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ap Nudd throws a jab but it's blocked by Strong.
Ap Nudd works over Strong's head and body with a nice combination.
Nice defenses there by Strong.
Ap Nudd misses with a low kick.
Ap Nudd just misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters circling a little - Strong finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Ap Nudd throws a nice outside leg kick.
Strong moves out of range as Ap Nudd strikes.
Strong motions for Ap Nudd to come forward. Strong throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ap Nudd throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Strong sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ap Nudd blocks a head kick by Strong.
Ap Nudd misses with a left hand
enabling Strong to counter with a crisp jab.
Good shot there by Ap Nudd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strong lands with an overhand left.
Strong wants to clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ap Nudd tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Strong manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A nice side step and Strong releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ap Nudd tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Strong scores with a nice strike.
Strong stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Strong slips a straight right by Ap Nudd.
Ap Nudd looks to score with a jab to the body but Strong is just out of range.
Ap Nudd connects with a right hand. Strong shakes it off.
Strong throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ap Nudd is looking to chop away at Strong's legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joe Strong.
I think Strong 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Joe Strong!
Joe Strong decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.