PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yayi Zinsou (ranked 562 p4p, 1037 weight class) and Naiki Nekele (ranked 93 p4p, 150 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.

Zinsou
vs
Nekele

199 cm
40
273
35 - 44 - 0

210 cm
39
275
35 - 27 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA
Katman Drip Inc.

Offseason nutrition & LAUNDRY (115$-160Q)
High Peak Fightwear

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 35 - 44 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yayi Zinsou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Naiki Nekele!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Albert Achterberg and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nekele keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zinsou.
Nekele throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Zinsou shoots in and gets a takedown into Nekele's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Zinsou makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nekele wants to sweep here but Zinsou controlling him for the moment.
Nekele keeping moving, preventing Zinsou from controlling successfully.
Nekele avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zinsou stopping the sweep attempt from Nekele.
Zinsou definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nekele is pulling down on Zinsou's head. It's preventing any offense from Zinsou, at least for the moment.
Zinsou trying to control the position from guard on top but Nekele is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nekele looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zinsou is one step ahead there.
Zinsou might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Zinsou trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zinsou is fighting to break Nekele's control of his arms but Nekele is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zinsou slips nicely into half guard.
Nekele is trying to maintain the position but Zinsou is very close to passing his half guard.
Nekele is trying to get back to full guard.
Zinsou is nestled in close to Nekele, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nekele is positioning himself well to prevent Zinsou advancing to mount.
Zinsou is trying to control. Nekele wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Zinsou throwing shots but Nekele is blocking nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Still in half guard, Zinsou seems content to control.
Nekele tries to roll over but Zinsou keeps him under control.
Zinsou not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nekele is not content to let Zinsou control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nekele moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Zinsou trying to control the position from guard on top but Nekele is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zinsou controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Zinsou won't allow Nekele to sweep him here.
Zinsou connects with a couple of short punches.
Nekele wants to sweep here but Zinsou controlling him for the moment.
Zinsou looking to sit in guard and control but Nekele gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nekele with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nekele trying to control the position from guard on top but Zinsou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nekele wants to pass the guard but Zinsou is keeping the position.
Zinsou wants to stand up but Nekele is controlling him.
Zinsou 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.
Nekele wants to control from the top but Zinsou keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zinsou wants to improve his position but instead Nekele has moved into half guard.
Zinsou keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Zinsou is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zinsou gets full guard.
Nekele trying to control but Zinsou is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zinsou is on top in guard.

Zinsou postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nekele 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.
Zinsou trying to control the position from guard on top but Nekele is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nekele is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Nekele keeps moving.
Nekele manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zinsou manages to get himself to full guard.

Zinsou wants to sweep but no luck.
Nekele trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zinsou keeping moving, preventing Nekele from controlling successfully.
Zinsou wants to stand but Nekele is controlling the position.
Zinsou looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nekele is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zinsou trying to control the position here.
Nekele wants to control from the top but Zinsou keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yayi Zinsou dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nekele looks to score with a jab to the body but Zinsou is just out of range.

Zinsou dives in and scores a takedown into Nekele's guard.
Zinsou trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zinsou loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zinsou controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nekele seems keen to control Zinsou's posture.
Nekele is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zinsou won't allow Nekele to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nekele is trying to control the position but Zinsou postures up.
Nekele is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Zinsou stopping the sweep attempt from Nekele.
Nekele is controlling Zinsou's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zinsou postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Nekele keeps moving.
Nekele pulls Zinsou in close to prevent any damage.
Nekele keeping moving, preventing Zinsou from controlling successfully.
Zinsou keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nekele's head.
Nekele keeping moving, preventing Zinsou from controlling successfully.
Nekele 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.
Nekele looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Zinsou is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nekele is controlling Zinsou's posture.
Zinsou makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zinsou wants to pass the guard but Nekele is keeping the position.
Zinsou trying to control but Nekele is working from the bottom.
Nekele is pulling down on Zinsou's head. It's preventing any offense from Zinsou, at least for the moment.
Zinsou stands up over Nekele, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Zinsou postures up in Nekele's guard and throws a big left but Nekele blocks it.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Nekele keeps moving.
Nekele 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.
Zinsou works over Nekele with some ground and pound from guard.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Nekele keeps moving.
Zinsou postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nekele looking to control.
Nekele utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zinsou accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nekele seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Zinsou is pushing down on Nekele's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nekele is fighting to maintain full guard but Zinsou has managed to sneak the leg through.
Nekele regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zinsou is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nekele can do to turn this around?
Zinsou trying to control the position from guard on top but Nekele is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nekele tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zinsou trying to control but Nekele is working from the bottom.
Nekele tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nekele pulls Zinsou in to control the position.
Zinsou postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zinsou trying to control the position from guard on top but Nekele is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zinsou lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zinsou is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nekele has Zinsou pulled in close to control his posture.
Nekele wants to sweep here but Zinsou controlling him for the moment.
Yayi Zinsou overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Nekele keeps moving.
Zinsou preventing the sweep.
Zinsou postures up in Nekele's guard and throws a big left but Nekele blocks it.
Zinsou keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nekele's head.
Zinsou is looking to work some ground and pound but Nekele has wrist control.
Zinsou postures up and lands a big shot to Nekele's brow.
Nekele looking for a sweep. Not yet Nekele, not yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zinsou is in close to Nekele's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zinsou lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Nekele keeps moving.
Nekele looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zinsou is one step ahead there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yayi Zinsou dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zinsou shoots in for a takedown but Nekele shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nekele walks into a left hand.
Horrible takedown attempt by Zinsou or perhaps it was just good defense by Nekele, which made it look bad.
Nekele lands with an uppercut that bounces Zinsou off the cage and back into range.

It looks like Yayi Zinsou has been cut.
Zinsou dives in and grabs Nekele's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nekele pushes down on Zinsou's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yayi Zinsou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zinsou takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nekele swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zinsou.

Zinsou shoots in and bounces Nekele off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Nekele wants to sweep here but Zinsou controlling him for the moment.
Nekele manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zinsou manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zinsou wants to sweep here but Nekele controlling him for the moment.
Nekele wants to control from the top but Zinsou keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nekele stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zinsou swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zinsou bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nekele's guard.

Zinsou stopping the sweep attempt from Nekele.
Zinsou is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nekele can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zinsou controls the pace.
Nekele tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nekele controlling Zinsou's posture.
Nekele looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Nekele keeps moving.
Zinsou preventing the sweep.
Nekele trying to control the position.
Zinsou makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Zinsou with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Nekele keeps moving.
Zinsou working some strikes from top position.
Zinsou not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Nekele tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nekele working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zinsou.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Nekele keeps moving.
Nekele wants to sweep here but Zinsou controlling him for the moment.
Zinsou working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nekele's head.
Nekele avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nekele trying to keep a closed guard but Zinsou is proving a slippery customer.
Nekele trying to control the position here.
Nekele trying to control the position.
Zinsou wants to control from the top but Nekele keeps moving.
Zinsou is really struggling to control Nekele but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nekele pulls Zinsou in close to his closed guard and prevents Zinsou from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Jab, jab by Zinsou - just one landing.
Nekele throws a lazy uppercut

and Zinsou decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nekele's guard.
Zinsou postures up.
Zinsou content to stall in guard here.
Naiki Nekele has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zinsou working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nekele's head.
Nekele is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zinsou slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Zinsou trying to control but Nekele is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yayi Zinsou showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zinsou, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yayi Zinsou!
A less than humble Yayi Zinsou misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.