PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tebato Nakara (ranked 7240 p4p, 612 weight class) and Silvio Provenza (ranked 4616 p4p, 482 weight class). Provenza has chosen Madreblu - Certamente as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Silvio Provenza has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nakara
vs
Provenza

177 cm
47
169 lbs
24 - 25 - 1

182 cm
35
165 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tebato Nakara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Silvio Provenza!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Provenza tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Nakara closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Provenza to the mat! Provenza manages to get full guard.
Nakara working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Provenza tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakara is in close to Provenza's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nakara landing some decent shots from guard.
Nakara loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nakara scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Provenza had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nakara defends it easily.
Nakara throws a big right hand that misses.
Nakara is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Provenza throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Nakara postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nakara postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Provenza preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nakara has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakara working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Provenza is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Provenza trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakara lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Provenza avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Provenza lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nakara has his foot on Provenza's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Provenza works his way back into a safe position though.

Nakara has his foot on Provenza's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Provenza works his way back into a safe position though.
Provenza is looking to work some ground and pound but Nakara has wrist control.

Nakara looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Nakara is looking for a triangle but Provenza pushes his legs off easily.
Provenza passes Nakara's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Provenza is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Provenza wants to pass the guard but Nakara is defending well.

Nakara looking for submissions off his back.
Provenza not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Provenza is working for a kimura but Nakara is defending it quite comfortably.

Provenza is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nakara is just riding it out for now. Provenza eventually gives up the hold.

Nakara looking for submissions off his back.

Nakara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Nakara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Nakara looking for submissions off his back.
Provenza seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Provenza drops an elbow to the side of Nakara's head.

Nakara is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Provenza pulls his head out easily.
Provenza not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Nakara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Provenza working the head and body with strikes.

Nakara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Nakara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nakara is breathing heavily.

Nakara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Provenza is nestled in close to Nakara, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Provenza is working for a submission of some sort.

Nakara actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakara has hold of Provenza's hands but Provenza slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Provenza wants to work for an arm triangle but Nakara is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Nakara looking for submissions off his back.

Nakara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Provenza winds up and cracks Nakara with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Nakara is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Provenza pulls his head out easily.
Provenza is nestled in close to Nakara, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Nakara actively working from the bottom here.
Provenza is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Silvio Provenza will probably get the nod.
That's time! Nakara's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nakara closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Provenza's guard.

Provenza is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nakara throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nakara preventing the sweep.
Provenza has momentary wrist control but Nakara slips an elbow through the middle.
Provenza utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Provenza looking for a guillotine here but Nakara defends easily.
Nakara lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Nakara got a little sloppy there for a moment and Provenza has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nakara has managed to get both his arms back between Provenza's legs - danger averted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakara is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nakara works over Provenza with some ground and pound from guard.
Provenza preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Provenza wants to sweep here but Nakara controlling him for the moment.

Provenza is looking for a triangle but Nakara pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Provenza has momentary wrist control but Nakara slips an elbow through the middle.
Nakara trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tebato Nakara overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nakara's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nakara is working Provenza over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Provenza lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nakara has his foot on Provenza's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Provenza works his way back into a safe position though.

Nakara is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nakara working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Provenza.

Nakara is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Nakara is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Provenza is aware though and is defending well.
Provenza wants to pass the guard but Nakara is keeping the position.
Provenza landing with the ground and pound.
Provenza pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nakara is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Provenza with a nice head shot there.

Nakara is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Provenza defends well.
Provenza is pushing down on Nakara's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nakara is fighting to maintain full guard but Provenza has managed to sneak the leg through.
Provenza working Nakara over with strikes.
Provenza takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Nakara is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Provenza pulls his head out easily.

Nakara actively working from the bottom here.

Provenza is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Provenza is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Nakara looking for submissions off his back.

Provenza is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakara looking for submissions off his back.

Provenza is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nakara defends it well.
Provenza winds up and cracks Nakara with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Provenza not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Provenza is looking for a kimura here.
Nakara is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Provenza scores with a couple of nice shots.
Provenza wants to pass the guard but Nakara is defending well.

Nakara actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nakara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Provenza is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nakara defends it well.

Nakara actively working from the bottom here.
Provenza scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Nakara actively working from the bottom here.

Nakara is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Provenza pulls his head out easily.
Nakara won't allow Provenza to pass to mount.

Nakara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Provenza looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nakara with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Provenza working Nakara over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silvio Provenza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Provenza scores with a nice strike.

Provenza changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nakara looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Nakara is looking to reverse the position.
Provenza cracks Nakara with a big right hand but Nakara just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Nakara is rocked!

Provenza is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nakara is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Oh Nakara is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nakara is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Nakara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nakara seems to have got his legs back now.
Provenza working over Nakara with some ground and pound. Nakara looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Provenza is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nakara sees it coming and defends easily.

Provenza is looking for a kimura but Nakara is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Provenza to get the leverage.

Nakara is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Provenza pulls his head out easily.

Nakara looking for submissions off his back.
Provenza has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Provenza seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Provenza is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Provenza slips a nice elbow through Nakara's hands, connecting with Nakara's forehead.

Provenza is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nakara doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Provenza.

Nakara actively working from the bottom here.
Provenza is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Nakara is defending against the submission attempts here by Provenza.

Nakara actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nakara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Provenza is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Nakara taking some punishment here, with Provenza in his half guard.

Provenza maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Nakara could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Provenza has cracked it and Nakara is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Provenza!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Silvio Provenza!
Silvio Provenza 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.