PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cash Cartier (ranked 24043 p4p, 5925 weight class) and Kabelo Nyambe (ranked 422 p4p, 402 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cartier
vs
Nyambe

179 cm
21
155
2 - 3 - 0

159 cm
28
147
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cash Cartier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kabelo Nyambe!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cartier closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nyambe circles away.
Cartier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nyambe changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nyambe moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Cartier throws out a powerful jab.
Cartier lands with a hook. Nyambe tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Cartier is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Cartier looks to throw the jab but Nyambe is out of range.
Nyambe avoids the head kick by Cartier.
Nyambe tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Cartier fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nyambe avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartier uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nyambe has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nyambe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cartier listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Cartier darts in looking for a takedown but Nyambe gets double underhooks and turns Cartier into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cash Cartier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cartier throws an elbow but misses.
Cartier controlling the action here for a moment.
Nyambe dodges an elbow strike from Cartier.
Cartier lands an elbow that stopped Nyambe in his tracks for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cartier trying to land knees to the body.

Nyambe jumps guard and drags Cartier to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Nyambe can't keep his opponent in guard - Cartier advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Cartier is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nyambe sees it coming and defends easily.

Cartier is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cartier trying to control from Nyambe's half guard. Nyambe has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Cartier wants to control from the top but Nyambe keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartier is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nyambe keeping full guard, as Cartier tries to pass.
Cartier wants to control from the top but Nyambe keeps moving.

Cartier stands up from Nyambe's guard - Cartier perhaps looking for a knockout.
Nyambe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

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.
Cartier lands a right hook to the body.
A nice leg kick from Cartier, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cartier clobbers Nyambe with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Nyambe tries to sprawl but Cartier drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Cartier trying to control from half guard but Nyambe is working away.
Nyambe wants to control but Cartier is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nyambe looks winded!
Cartier seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nyambe does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cash Cartier 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.

Cartier tries to clinch there but Nyambe circles away.
Nyambe tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A head kick misses from Cartier.
And Nyambe tries to counter it with a takedown but Cartier pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nyambe slips under a jab.
Cartier connects with an inside leg kick.
We've been informed that Nyambe has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Kabelo Nyambe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nyambe ducks under a wild hook from Cartier.
Cartier fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nyambe avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cartier lands a really nice looking cross but Nyambe seems unphased.

Cartier moves into the clinch successfully.

Cartier manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nyambe trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Nyambe is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Cartier is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Cartier has escaped and now he's on top!

Cartier passes Nyambe's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Nyambe is breathing heavily.
Cartier content to control rather than advance.
Cartier wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nyambe keeps working.

Cartier is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cartier passes the guard and advances to mount!

Cartier has hold of Nyambe's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Nyambe manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Cartier looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Cartier goes for an armbar but Nyambe turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Nyambe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartier wants to stand but Nyambe is controlling the position.
Nyambe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nyambe throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cartier avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cartier is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nyambe throws a strike but Cartier rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Cartier advances to half guard.

Cartier is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nyambe has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cartier is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nyambe can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cartier is working for a kimura but Nyambe is defending it quite comfortably.
Nyambe is trying to get back to full guard.
Cartier is looking to advance position but Nyambe won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cartier is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cash Cartier dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Cartier closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nyambe circles away.
Nyambe steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cartier.
Cartier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cartier misses with a looping left.
Cartier lands with a kick to the temple. Nyambe shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Cartier closes the distance and pushes Nyambe back into the cage.
Cartier creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nyambe's defenses.
Cartier misses with an elbow over the top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartier throws a punch but it's blocked by Nyambe.
Nyambe avoids a wild elbow strike from Cartier.

Cartier has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Nyambe uses from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nyambe drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cartier dives on top into guard.

Nyambe keeping full guard, as Cartier tries to pass.
Nyambe keeping moving, preventing Cartier from controlling successfully.
Nyambe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Cartier gets to his feet - Nyambe follows without any prompting.
Cash Cartier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cartier lands with a kick to the temple. Nyambe shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Cartier shoots in for a takedown but Nyambe shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nyambe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nyambe is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Cartier loads up on a big right hand but Nyambe slips the punch.
Nyambe feints the counter takedown.

Cartier shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Nyambe is trying to defend but Cartier finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Cartier stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Nyambe to get to his feet.
Nyambe stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cash Cartier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cartier shoots in and drives through. Nyambe sprawls well.
Nyambe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cartier swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nyambe is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Cartier connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Cartier throws a jab but it's blocked by Nyambe.
Nyambe changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cartier scores with a jab.
Cartier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nyambe changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nyambe gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cartier throws a body shot but no joy.
Nyambe is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Nyambe uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cartier.
Nyambe gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cartier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nyambe tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Cartier fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nyambe avoids it really well and circles away.
Cash Cartier is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cartier chopping away at his opponent's legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cash Cartier showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cartier has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cash Cartier!
A relieved looking Cash Cartier thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.