PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Emilio Ortega (ranked 3383 p4p, 5197 weight class) and Samwel Nkruma (ranked 399 p4p, 490 weight class). Nkruma is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Imperial March - Pegboard Nerds. Samwel Nkruma has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ortega
vs
Nkruma

188 cm
22
190
3 - 3 - 0

185 cm
21
184
1 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Leiko Leaf Clothing

Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥
Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Emilio Ortega!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Samwel Nkruma!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ortega lands a jab to the nose.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ortega.
Nkruma jabs at Ortega's body.
Ortega loads up on a big right hand but Nkruma slips the punch.
Nkruma throws out a counter right but Ortega avoids it with no problem.
Ortega scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nkruma is looking to clinch but Ortega is avoiding it.
Nkruma throws an overhand right that lands on Ortega's shoulder, as Ortega tries to avoid the shot.
Ortega is looking to land body kicks.
Nkruma walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nkruma wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ortega steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nkruma.

Ortega feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ortega trying to control the position from guard on top but Nkruma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nkruma wants to sweep but no luck.

Nkruma is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ortega defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nkruma has momentary wrist control but Ortega slips an elbow through the middle.
Ortega postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Nkruma is looking for a triangle but Ortega pushes his legs off easily.
Ortega trying to control the position from guard on top but Nkruma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ortega keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nkruma's head.
Ortega distracts Nkruma with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Nkruma working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ortega doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ortega manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ortega keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nkruma's head.

Nkruma has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ortega can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ortega postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ortega looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nkruma looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ortega passes into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nkruma takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Ortega lands a few punches from side control.
Ortega scores with a couple of short elbows.
Ortega creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Ortega in side control lands a decent elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nkruma tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ortega lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Nkruma down.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nkruma on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Ortega landing strikes.
Nkruma tries to improve position but can't.
Ortega working the head and body with strikes.
Nkruma looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nkruma takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Ortega thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Nkruma tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nkruma manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ortega's best efforts.
Still in half guard, Ortega seems content to control.
Nkruma is looking to improve his position.

Nkruma looking for submissions off his back.
Nkruma is trying to maintain the position but Ortega is very close to passing his half guard.

Nkruma looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
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. Ortega connects with a nice short shot to Nkruma's temple.

Nkruma looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ortega working Nkruma over with strikes.
Ortega is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Nkruma!
Ortega scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nkruma regains half guard.

Nkruma is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ortega pulls his head out easily.
Ortega is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ortega content to control rather than advance.
Ortega's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Ortega takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ortega wants to take a breather but Nkruma is having none of it.
Ortega working the head and body with strikes.
Nkruma is trying to get back to full guard.
Ortega looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nkruma with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ortega slips a nice elbow through Nkruma's hands, connecting with Nkruma's forehead.
Ortega is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nkruma is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ortega jumps into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nkruma is not content to let Ortega control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Emilio Ortega dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nkruma wants to clinch up but Ortega keeps it at a distance.
Ortega misses with a right hand

and Nkruma counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nkruma stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Good body shot from Nkruma.
Nkruma tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ortega smiles and moves away.

Nkruma gets caught napping as Ortega dives in and scores a takedown. Nkruma manages to retain guard.
Ortega working some strikes from top position.
Ortega working some strikes from top position.
Ortega won't allow Nkruma to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nkruma is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ortega controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ortega's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ortega landing some decent shots from guard.

Nkruma escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ortega gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ortega content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ortega landing with the ground and pound.
Ortega controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ortega connects with a couple of short punches.
Ortega chips away with some ground and pound.

Nkruma is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ortega is aware though and is defending well.

Nkruma has his foot on Ortega's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ortega works his way back into a safe position though.
Nkruma is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ortega works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ortega looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Ortega had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nkruma defends it easily.
Nkruma is pushing down on Ortega's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ortega is fighting to maintain full guard but Nkruma has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ortega tries to roll over but Nkruma keeps him under control.
Ortega flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nkruma is looking to take a break and control but Ortega is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ortega works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nkruma trying to control but Ortega is working from the bottom.
Ortega trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Ortega is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ortega looking for a sweep. Not yet Ortega, not yet.
Ortega is working hard here to advance position.
Nkruma's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nkruma wants to pass the guard but Ortega is keeping the position.
Nkruma works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ortega is looking to improve his position.
Ortega scores with a few weak punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ortega works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nkruma wants to control from the top but Ortega keeps moving.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Nkruma passes Ortega's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Nkruma is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Ortega tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nkruma trying to control but Ortega is working from the bottom.
Ortega trying to control the position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nkruma controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Emilio Ortega dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Nkruma looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Ortega shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nkruma moves into full guard.

Nkruma throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ortega trying to control the position from guard on top but Nkruma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ortega keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nkruma's head.

Nkruma isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Ortega stacks Nkruma on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Ortega!
Ortega lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Nkruma down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ortega looks up at the clock and then as Nkruma takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Ortega smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Nkruma tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Ortega easily slips into full mount!
Ortega has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ortega landing strikes from the mount and Nkruma is in trouble!
Emilio Ortega overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ortega controlling his opponent.
Nkruma is trying to escape the mount.
Nkruma is bucking up trying to escape but Ortega cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Nkruma tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ortega is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Nkruma can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Nkruma sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Nkruma looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ground and pound from Ortega.
Nkruma taking some punishment here, with Ortega in his half guard.
Nkruma gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ortega wants to control from the top but Nkruma keeps moving.
Ortega slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ortega is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ortega takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ortega slips a nice elbow through Nkruma's hands, connecting with Nkruma's forehead.
Ortega is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Ortega prevents Nkruma from improving his position.

Nkruma is defending against the submission attempts here by Ortega.
Nkruma makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nkruma.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nkruma escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ortega gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ortega chips away with some ground and pound.
Ortega sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ortega stands up over Nkruma, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Nkruma is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ortega is aware though and is defending well.
Nkruma has momentary wrist control but Ortega slips an elbow through the middle.
Ortega trying to control but Nkruma is working from the bottom.
Ortega postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ortega chips away with some ground and pound.
Ortega postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ortega is working Nkruma over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Nkruma working for a triangle but Ortega defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nkruma looking for subs off his back but Ortega has passed one foot through into half guard.
Nkruma takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Nkruma looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Ortega pushes past his half guard into mount!
Ortega tries to control but Nkruma wriggling away.
Ortega prevents Nkruma from getting the reversal.
Ortega lands with some strikes.
Ortega lands a couple of good shots and Nkruma has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nkruma covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Ortega lands with a hammerfist to the side of Nkruma's head.
Samwel Nkruma has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Emilio Ortega is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ortega is riding his opponent, not letting Nkruma buck him off.
Nkruma tries to escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emilio Ortega showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ortega, 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emilio Ortega!
A very excited looking Emilio Ortega made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.