PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nick Fjera (ranked 927 p4p, 110 weight class) and Leonard Martinez (ranked 1687 p4p, 198 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fjera
vs
Martinez

188 cm
32
273 lbs
21 - 6 - 1

196 cm
33
256 lbs
15 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Aspire Nutrition
Nuggetori's Nutritionals

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 21 - 6 - 1, fighting out of London, Nick Fjera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Leonard Martinez!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Colin Fray and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martinez throws a predictable looking body shot
and Fjera counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Leonard Martinez has been cut.
Fjera misses with a looping right.
Martinez circles away from the clinch attempt.

Martinez drives through and clinches with Fjera against the cage.
Martinez pushes off an throws an elbow but Fjera leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Martinez is trying to drag Fjera to the mat but Fjera just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Martinez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fjera takes a shot to the head.
Fjera tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fjera lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Martinez lands an elbow just above Fjera 's eye.
Martinez has Fjera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fjera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Fjera lands a right hand that snaps the head of Martinez backwards.
Fjera lands with a right to the head.

Fjera is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Martinez can't fight it off and eventually Fjera manages to take the fight to the floor. Martinez looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fjera lands a couple of elbows.
Fjera is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fjera working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Martinez's head.
Fjera postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Martinez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fjera lands a couple of elbows.

Martinez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fjera can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Martinez told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Fjera stands up over Martinez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Martinez wants to sweep here but Fjera controlling him for the moment.
Martinez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Martinez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fjera's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fjera throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Fjera looking for a guillotine here but Martinez defends easily.

Fjera is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Martinez is aware though and is defending well.
Martinez trying to control but Fjera is working from the bottom.

Martinez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Martinez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Martinez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fjera has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Martinez has managed to get both his arms back between Fjera's legs - danger averted.
Martinez passes Fjera's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fjera looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fjera is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Martinez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Martinez's back!

Fjera is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Martinez has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Martinez showing good submission defense here.
Martinez looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Martinez is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Fjera is staying active.
Fjera lands shots from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fjera lands a shot to the head.
Fjera punches Martinez on the ear.

Martinez defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Fjera wants to control but Martinez is keeping busy.

Fjera is persistently looking for the submission but Martinez is defending it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Martinez breaks Fjera's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Martinez chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Fjera dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Leonard Martinez's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Martinez moves away from the strike by Fjera.
Fjera clobbers Martinez with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Martinez swings for the body but Fjera moves out of range.
A shot to the liver by Fjera. Beautiful body shot.

Martinez rushes Fjera and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fjera changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Martinez fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Martinez looks for the body kick but Fjera saw that one coming.

Fjera cracks Martinez with an uppercut from hell and Martinez crumples to the canvas, he's out! Oh no, he's recovered and he's grabbed one of Fjera's legs and pulled him into guard. The ref thought about stopping it there but he's let it go - good reffing!

Martinez is rocked!

That has opened up Leonard Martinez's cut even more.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fjera loads up on a big left hand. Martinez felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Fjera looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Martinez can't hide his disappointment, as Fjera celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:46 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nick Fjera!
Nick Fjera was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.