PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thorvald Nansen (ranked 1746 p4p, 720 weight class) and Santino Lombardo (ranked 235 p4p, 104 weight class). Nansen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Benny Jamz - Torden. Lombardo comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Illusions kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nansen
vs
Lombardo

176 cm
28
165
13 - 10 - 1

184 cm
35
163
35 - 18 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel
AVALON

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 13 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thorvald Nansen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 18 - 0, fighting out of London, Santino Lombardo!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nansen looks to land a left hand but Lombardo moved out of range nicely.
Nansen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lombardo defends well and Nansen ends up having to push Lombardo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lombardo looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nansen.
Nansen misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've been hearing reports that Nansen has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Lombardo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A body shot lands from Nansen.
Lombardo lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lombardo.
Lombardo can't find room to land a body shot as Nansen controls the action.
Nansen can't find room to land a body shot as Lombardo controls the action.
Lombardo prevents a body shot from Nansen.
Lombardo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lombardo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nansen throws a head punch that misses.
Lombardo lands with a left to the head.
Nansen misses with some punches.
Nansen misses with a punch on the inside.
Lombardo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nansen backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Nansen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lombardo.

Nansen gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nansen wants to pass the guard but Lombardo is defending well.
Nansen is working hard here to advance position.
Lombardo trying to hold on to Nansen's head to control him but Nansen postures up.
Nansen trying to mount his opponent but Lombardo defends it.
Lombardo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nansen.
Nansen tries to pass to full mount but Lombardo defends it.
Nansen is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Nansen trying to control the position from guard on top but Lombardo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Lombardo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lombardo has Nansen pulled in close to control his posture.
Nansen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nansen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nansen tries to free his leg and advance position but Lombardo is retaining full guard.
Lombardo wants to sweep here but Nansen controlling him for the moment.

Lombardo has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nansen off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Lombardo ducks under a wild hook from Nansen.
Nansen takes a swing at Lombardo's ribcage but misses.
Thorvald Nansen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nansen throws a low kick but Lombardo moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lombardo listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nansen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A lazy body kick from Nansen
and Lombardo counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nansen misses with a kick to the body.
Nansen looks to land a right hand but Lombardo moved out of range.
Lombardo feints and then cracks Nansen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nansen down.
Nansen scores with a jab to the head.
Nansen looks to land a right hand but Lombardo moved out of range.
Nansen throws a right hand that misses
and Lombardo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nansen slips under a jab.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Lombardo.
Nansen scores with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lombardo moves out of range as Nansen strikes.
Nansen throws a right hand that misses
and Lombardo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nansen connects with a right hand. Lombardo shakes it off.
Nansen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Nansen. Lombardo shrugs it off though.
Nansen missing with a left hand there. Lombardo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lombardo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lombardo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nansen.
Lombardo keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nansen throws a right hand that misses
letting Lombardo counter with a right hand.
Lombardo ducks right into an uppercut from Nansen.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nansen throws out a loose jab but Lombardo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lombardo now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Nansen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nansen tried to score with a low kick but Lombardo checks it.
A little jabbing left from Lombardo on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lombardo scores with a body shot.

Lombardo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Nansen preventing the sweep.
Nansen looking to sit in guard and control but Lombardo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lombardo is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Lombardo trying to control but Nansen is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nansen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lombardo defends it easily.
Lombardo sitting in guard here, content to control.

Nansen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lombardo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lombardo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lombardo stays in close to Nansen's body and controls the position.
Lombardo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Nansen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Nansen is looking to sweep but instead, Lombardo has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nansen is staying active underneath Lombardo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nansen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nansen.

Nansen is looking for a triangle but Lombardo pushes his legs off easily.
Lombardo showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Lombardo slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lombardo wants to pass the guard but Nansen is defending well.
Lombardo slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nansen gets full guard.
Lombardo wants to control from the top but Nansen keeps moving.
Lombardo controlling from the top position.
Nansen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lombardo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Lombardo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nansen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lombardo has managed to get both his arms back between Nansen's legs - danger averted.
Lombardo looking to pass the guard.
Nansen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lombardo manages to get himself to full guard.

Lombardo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nansen trying to control but Lombardo is working from the bottom.
Lombardo trying to control the position.
Nansen stands and throws Lombardo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Thorvald Nansen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lombardo defending well as Nansen loads up on a big left hand.
Nansen is looking to chop away at Lombardo's legs.
A low kick from Nansen misses
and Lombardo counters with a two punch combo.
Lombardo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nansen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lombardo.
A jab from Nansen misses.
Lombardo slips under a jab.
Nansen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lombardo appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A good leg kick by Nansen.
Nice defenses there by Lombardo.
Nansen looks to throw the jab but Lombardo is out of range.
Nansen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lombardo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lombardo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nansen throws a push kick but Lombardo slaps the foot to one side.
Lombardo takes a swing at Nansen's ribcage but misses.
Lombardo takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nansen throws a solid leg kick but Lombardo takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nansen.
Nansen misses with a right hand
and Lombardo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nansen throws a right and a left that Lombardo avoids nicely.
A swing and a miss from Lombardo.
Nansen slips a jab from Lombardo.
Nansen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lombardo pinned against the cage. Lombardo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lombardo has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nansen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nansen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Lombardo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nansen tests Lombardo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lombardo jabs Nansen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nansen throws an off balance right hand
and Lombardo counters with a left to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lombardo darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nansen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Lombardo cracks Nansen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nansen misses with an uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lombardo throws a good cross that connects.
Lombardo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nansen.
Nansen tries to counter by clinching up but Lombardo breaks away and moves out of range.

Nansen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Lombardo's guard.
Lombardo wants to get back to his feet but Nansen passes into half guard.

Lombardo wants to control but Nansen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nansen works his foot free and advances to mount.
Nansen with good strikes from the mount here!
Lombardo wants to control but Nansen is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nansen putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Lombardo wants to hold on but Nansen pushes him away.
Nansen lands a couple of good shots and Lombardo has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Lombardo wants to escape the position.

Nansen is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Lombardo knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Lombardo for a finish.
Lombardo is in bad spot here.
Nansen gets his hands free as Lombardo looks to control.

Nansen working for the choke.
Lombardo trying to control but not successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Santino Lombardo.
I think Lombardo 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santino Lombardo!
After winning the bout, Santino Lombardo thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
The defeated Thorvald Nansen had this to say: 'Hinga dinga durgen'.