PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kaspars Kambala (ranked 24668 p4p, 522 weight class) and Nick Wright (ranked 6068 p4p, 429 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.

Kambala
vs
Wright

215 cm
19
267 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

184 cm
25
232 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kaspars Kambala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nick Wright!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wright shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kambala wants to improve his position but Wright is controlling well.

Kambala is defending against the submission attempts here by Wright.
Wright winds up and cracks Kambala with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kambala is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Wright scores with a couple of nice shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wright is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kambala is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright controlling the action here.

Wright is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kambala has managed to free his arm - good work.
Wright is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

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

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Wright wants to work for an arm triangle but Kambala is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kambala definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kambala wants to get back to full guard.
Kambala gets full guard.
Wright seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kambala is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kambala wants to stand and escape but Wright is having none of it.
Kambala is trying to control the position but Wright postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kambala tries to clinch up.

Wright is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kambala's half guard.
Kambala is looking for a sweep. Wright is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kambala is holding on to half guard well.
Wright trying to control from half guard but Kambala is working away.
Kambala is looking for a sweep. Wright is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kambala is trying to maintain the position but Wright is very close to passing his half guard.
Wright is keen to just control but Kambala is a slippery customer.
Kambala tries to roll over but Wright keeps him under control.
Kambala is looking to control Wright's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kambala avoid being mounted?

Wright is looking for a kimura but Kambala is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Wright to get the leverage.
Kambala is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Wright is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Wright is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kambala is just riding it out for now. Wright eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Wright dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Wright fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kambala sprawls well initially but Wright persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wright prevents Kambala from improving his position.
Nick Wright has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wright stalling.
Wright wants to control but Kambala is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wright is looking for a kimura here.
Kambala trying to control but Wright postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wright is working for a kimura but Kambala is defending it quite comfortably.
Kambala gets full guard.
Kambala wants to sweep here but Wright controlling him for the moment.
Wright looking to sit in guard and control but Kambala gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kambala throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wright keeping moving, preventing Kambala from controlling successfully.
Wright managing to control the position.
Kambala wants to stand but Wright has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Wright is adopting a defensive guard.
Wright's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kambala postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Wright is controlling Kambala's posture.
Kambala trying to control but Wright is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wright shoots for a double leg takedown but Kambala sprawls well. He's pushed Wright's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kambala tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Wright counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Wright.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wright won't allow Kambala to sweep him here.

Wright drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Wright jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kambala is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wright is controlling him.
Wright slips nicely into half guard.

Wright is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Kambala still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Kambala has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kambala wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wright keeps working.
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 Kaspars Kambala will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Wright closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Wright has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Kambala clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Kambala tries to escape but Wright has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Wright is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Kambala knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Kambala for a finish.

Kambala fending off the submission attempt from Wright.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Can Kambala hold on?! Wright is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wright is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Wright. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Kambala is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Kambala is trying to stand back up.
Kambala trying to control the position but Wright manages to sink in the hooks.
Wright is looking to control Kambala but Kambala is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Wright working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kambala tries to escape but Wright has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Wright has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Wright working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
I really don't envy Kambala right now.
Wright is not going to allow Kambala to sit and survive in this position.

Kambala is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Wright gets his way!
Kambala breaks Wright's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kambala is looking to stand up but Wright won't let him.
Kambala looking to sit in guard and control but Wright gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Wright trying to control the position from guard on top but Kambala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wright might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kambala haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kambala looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wright slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Wright works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Wright is looking for a kimura here.
Wright takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kambala is trying to get back to full guard.

Kambala looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wright prevents Kambala from improving his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Wright comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Wright 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Wright!