PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Ngannou (ranked 4466 p4p, 471 weight class) and Jackie Lee X I I I (ranked 6494 p4p, 604 weight class). Jackie Lee X I I I will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ngannou
vs
Lee X I I I

199 cm
27
265 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

225 cm
20
280 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frankie Ngannou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jackie Lee X I I I!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Paul Gruel and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ngannou ducks under a wild hook from Lee X I I I.
Ngannou throws a lazy right hand but Lee X I I I sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ngannou misses with a hook to the body
and Lee X I I I counters with a nice uppercut.
Ngannou gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lee X I I I counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ngannou connects with a high kick.
Ngannou misses with a body punch
and Lee X I I I counters with a straight right hand.
Lee X I I I throws a right and a left that Ngannou avoids nicely.
Ngannou looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ngannou throws a poor cross that misses
and Lee X I I I counters with a one-two to the body.
Ngannou shoots in for a takedown but Lee X I I I shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lee X I I I unleashes a big counter combination but Ngannou bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Lee X I I I closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lee X I I I throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lee X I I I throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Ngannou scores with a takedown into Lee X I I I's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ngannou throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee X I I I is trying to control the position but Ngannou postures up.
Ngannou trying to control but Lee X I I I is working from the bottom.
Lee X I I I has his hands on Ngannou's head, controlling the position.
Ngannou throws a big elbow that misses.
Lee X I I I avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lee X I I I looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ngannou tries to free his leg and advance position but Lee X I I I is retaining full guard.

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.
Lee X I I I keeping moving, preventing Ngannou from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ngannou has his takedown stuffed
and Lee X I I I cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frankie Ngannou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lee X I I I scores with a one two! Ngannou had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ngannou misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lee X I I I.
Ngannou ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lee X I I I moves away.
Ngannou connects with an inside leg kick.
Ngannou lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lee X I I I circles away quickly and effectively.
Ngannou is looking to score with low kicks.
Ngannou misses with a combination
and Lee X I I I counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Lee X I I I lands a big uppercut and Ngannou crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Ngannou looks OK. Lee X I I I waves Ngannou back to his feet!
Lee X I I I fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ngannou looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ngannou scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ngannou throws a one two combo.
Ngannou is breathing heavily.
Decent striking displayed by Lee X I I I there.
Ngannou moves away from the strike by Lee X I I I.
Lee X I I I moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ngannou with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Lee X I I I to score with a decent uppercut.

Ngannou is rocked!
Lee X I I I misses with a jab, cross combination.
A quick step to the side and Ngannou tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ngannou misses with a lunging right hand
and Lee X I I I connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Oh Ngannou is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lee X I I I is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Donk. Ngannou catches Lee X I I I right on the button with a cross.
Ngannou looks up at the clock. Bad move! Lee X I I I lands a right hand from hell, dropping Ngannou. Lee X I I I pounces and finishes the fight with a flurry of punches and elbows.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jackie Lee X I I I!
Jackie Lee X I I I got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'