PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mahvand Makhdoom (ranked 24962 p4p, 24439 weight class) and Lorato Nyambe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lorato Nyambe has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Makhdoom
vs
Nyambe

183 cm
18
179
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
26
170
1 - 7 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

Good takedowns
Brawler
Heavy handed

Warrior's Way

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mahvand Makhdoom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lorato Nyambe!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Makhdoom misses its intended target.
Nyambe feints the counter takedown.

Nyambe shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Makhdoom's guard.
Nyambe controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Makhdoom utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nyambe is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Nyambe works over Makhdoom with some ground and pound from guard.
Nyambe throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nyambe controlling from the top position.
Nyambe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nyambe stands up over Makhdoom, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nyambe stands up and waves to Makhdoom to follow him.

Nyambe shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Makhdoom is trying to defend but Nyambe finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Nyambe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nyambe looks winded!
Nyambe is pressing down on Makhdoom's thigh, looking to free his foot. Makhdoom is holding on for now.
Well, if Nyambe is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nyambe connects with a nice short shot to Makhdoom's temple.
Makhdoom knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nyambe on the ground.
Nyambe sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Nyambe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makhdoom keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nyambe winds up and cracks Makhdoom with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nyambe stalling.
Nyambe scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nyambe looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nyambe stalling.

Nyambe stands up out of the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makhdoom throws a looping overhand right but Nyambe ducks down to avoid it.
Makhdoom throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nyambe counters with a series of strikes. Makhdoom will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nyambe has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Makhdoom is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Nyambe blocks a jab.
Makhdoom jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A telegraphed right hand from Makhdoom misses the target.
Makhdoom lands with a cross.
Makhdoom circles away from the clinch attempt.
Makhdoom misses with a wild body shot.
Mahvand Makhdoom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Nyambe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Makhdoom throws a big shot that misses.
Makhdoom rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nyambe moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And Nyambe tries to counter it with a takedown but Makhdoom pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Makhdoom tries to clinch up but Nyambe circles away and keeps his distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Makhdoom. Nyambe does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makhdoom tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nyambe paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Makhdoom scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Makhdoom throws a jab when Nyambe was well out of range.
Makhdoom misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Makhdoom tries to clinch up.
Makhdoom misses with an uppercut. Nyambe saw that one coming.
Nyambe slips under a jab from Makhdoom.
Makhdoom swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nyambe slips a jab from Makhdoom.
Makhdoom throws a nice looking combination but Nyambe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nyambe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Makhdoom misses with a looping right.
Nyambe lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Nyambe takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lorato Nyambe will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Makhdoom misses with a two punch combination.
Nyambe moves out of range of the strikes.
Makhdoom throws a hook but Nyambe avoids it easily.
Nyambe slips a jab from Makhdoom.
Lorato Nyambe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Makhdoom throws a hook but Nyambe blocks it.
A punch combination from Nyambe misses.
Makhdoom is looking to counter punch.
Makhdoom throws a looping overhand right but Nyambe ducks down to avoid it.
Makhdoom misses with a wild body shot.
Nyambe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nyambe throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhdoom misses the jab.
Makhdoom throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nyambe is breathing heavily.
Makhdoom ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nyambe moves away.
Nyambe slips a jab from Makhdoom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhdoom tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nyambe was well out of range. Poor timing from Makhdoom.
Nyambe takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nyambe circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nyambe is looking for the big counter here.
Nyambe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Makhdoom throws a series of punches but Nyambe avoids them all with ease.
Makhdoom looks to score with a jab to the body but Nyambe is just out of range.
Makhdoom connects with a single shot there.
A telegraphed right hand from Makhdoom misses the target.
Nyambe unleashes a big counter combination but Makhdoom bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
A big right from Makhdoom misses.
Nyambe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Makhdoom.
Mahvand Makhdoom is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Makhdoom throws a body shot but no joy.
Nyambe with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Makhdoom to score with a decent uppercut.
Makhdoom throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nyambe slips a jab from Makhdoom.
Makhdoom throws a body punch but Nyambe moves out of range.
Makhdoom pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Makhdoom misses with an uppercut.
Makhdoom pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nyambe wants to counter with a clinch but Makhdoom pushes him away.
Makhdoom misses with an uppercut.
Nyambe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Makhdoom throws a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Makhdoom throws a big shot that misses.
Nyambe slips a jab and a cross from Makhdoom.
Nyambe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Makhdoom swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nyambe takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nyambe.
Makhdoom fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nyambe manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Makhdoom. Nyambe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nyambe slips under a jab.
Makhdoom looks to throw the jab but Nyambe is out of range.
Nyambe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Makhdoom.
Nyambe is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Makhdoom swings for the body but Nyambe moves out of range.
Nyambe staying out of range there.
A big left from Makhdoom misses.
Makhdoom is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Despite the aggression on Nyambe's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Makhdoom throws a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nyambe avoids the body shot from Makhdoom.
Makhdoom misses with a hook

and Nyambe counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nyambe is keen to just control but Makhdoom is a slippery customer.
Nyambe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Makhdoom is trying to stand.
Nyambe seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Makhdoom does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nyambe throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Makhdoom is trying to stand back up but Nyambe is controlling him
Nyambe not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nyambe thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lorato Nyambe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nyambe working the head and body with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Nyambe is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Makhdoom has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mahvand Makhdoom dominated that second round.
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!

Nice defenses there by Nyambe.
Despite the aggression on Nyambe's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Nyambe throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Makhdoom tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nyambe is in Makhdoom's guard.
Nyambe stays in close to Makhdoom's body and controls the position.

Nyambe gets to his feet - Makhdoom follows without any prompting.
Nyambe defending well as Makhdoom loads up on a big left hand.
Makhdoom throws an overhand right that lands on Nyambe's shoulder, as Nyambe tries to avoid the shot.
Makhdoom lands with a right hand.
Makhdoom misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nyambe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhdoom is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nyambe moves out of range of the strikes.

Nyambe darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhdoom wants to get back to his feet.
Nyambe not doing much here.
Nyambe throwing shots but Makhdoom is blocking nicely.
Nyambe sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Makhdoom defending well though.
Makhdoom pushes Nyambe off looking to stand but Nyambe dives back in and keeps control.
Nyambe looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nyambe thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Makhdoom's head.
Nyambe working over Makhdoom with some ground and pound. Makhdoom looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nyambe keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nyambe seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Makhdoom does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Nyambe working over Makhdoom with some ground and pound. Makhdoom looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Nyambe stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
A slow jab from Makhdoom misses its intended target.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Makhdoom.
Makhdoom fails in his attempt to clinch.
As Makhdoom backs off Nyambe throws a huge counter combo but Makhdoom manages to avoid it all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nyambe staying out of range there.
Makhdoom swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Makhdoom fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nyambe manages to avoid it.
Nyambe ducks under a wild hook from Makhdoom.
Nyambe dodges the punch combination from Makhdoom.
Makhdoom is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nyambe.

Nyambe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nyambe is trying to drag Makhdoom to the mat but Makhdoom just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Makhdoom cracks Nyambe with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makhdoom lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Makhdoom lands a body punch.
Makhdoom lands with a short shot to the head.
Makhdoom taking a breather.
Makhdoom has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Makhdoom stalling in the clinch but Nyambe improves position.
Makhdoom pushes Nyambe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Makhdoom looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Makhdoom looking to slow down the pace here.
Makhdoom working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Makhdoom working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Makhdoom gets underhooks to prevent Nyambe's takedown attempt.
Makhdoom lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mahvand Makhdoom showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Makhdoom has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mahvand Makhdoom!
During a confident post fight interview, Mahvand Makhdoom thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.