PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cardinal Richelieu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Nadeau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brian Nadeau has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Richelieu
vs
Nadeau

170 cm
22
132 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

150 cm
24
135 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cardinal Richelieu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Brian Nadeau!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nadeau takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Richelieu staying out of range there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nadeau looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Richelieu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A big left from Richelieu misses.
Nadeau darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A slow jab from Richelieu misses its intended target.
Richelieu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nadeau sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Richelieu misses the shot to the body.
Richelieu throws a jab when Nadeau was well out of range.
A jab from Richelieu misses.
Richelieu misses with a two punch combination.
Cardinal Richelieu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richelieu throws a hook but Nadeau avoids it easily.
Nadeau gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nadeau walks into a jab.
Richelieu misses the jab.
Nadeau fails with a takedown attempt.
Richelieu lands a nice shot that snaps Nadeau's head back.
The fighters circling - Nadeau throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cardinal Richelieu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nadeau slips a jab from Richelieu.
A swing and a miss from Richelieu.
Richelieu throws a series of punches but Nadeau moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Richelieu.

It looks like Brian Nadeau has been cut.
Nadeau misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Richelieu.
Richelieu looks to land a right hand but Nadeau moved out of range.
Richelieu misses with a hook to the body

and Nadeau counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nadeau trying to pass the guard but Richelieu defending well.
Richelieu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nadeau.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nadeau passes the guard and advances to mount!

Nadeau is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Richelieu has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Richelieu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nadeau tries to strike from the bottom.
Nadeau being controlled here, momentarily.
Richelieu stopping the sweep attempt from Nadeau.
Richelieu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nadeau wants to improve his position but instead Richelieu has moved into half guard.
Richelieu prevents Nadeau from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Richelieu missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nadeau manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Richelieu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Richelieu wants to pass the guard but Nadeau is keeping the position.
Richelieu controlling from the top position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nadeau tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Nadeau looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Brian Nadeau will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Brian Nadeau's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Richelieu staying out of range there.
No joy there for Richelieu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Richelieu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nadeau misses with a takedown attempt - Richelieu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nadeau staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richelieu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nadeau circles away quickly and effectively.
Richelieu misses with a two punch combination.
Richelieu fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Cardinal Richelieu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Richelieu throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Nadeau counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nadeau is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Richelieu knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Nadeau tries for a kimura but Richelieu is defending well.
Richelieu is looking for a sweep.
Nadeau cracks Richelieu with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Richelieu wants to get back to his feet but Nadeau drags him back down.
Nadeau has knee on belly momentarily but Richelieu bucks him off and regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nadeau is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Richelieu keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nadeau wants to free his trapped foot but Richelieu is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Nadeau looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Richelieu pushes Nadeau off looking to stand but Nadeau dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nadeau tries to pass the half guard into mount. Richelieu knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nadeau looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Richelieu is fending him off so far but Nadeau persists. Nope, Richelieu circles away and we're back to standing.
Richelieu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Richelieu misses with a wild body shot.
Richelieu plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richelieu tries to bum rush Nadeau with a series of wild strikes but Nadeau uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nadeau gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Richelieu.
Richelieu throws the left hand but Nadeau avoids the punch easily.
A jab from Richelieu misses.
Richelieu fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Richelieu throws a hook but Nadeau blocks it.
Richelieu throws a head kick that misses.
Richelieu works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Richelieu is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Richelieu connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nadeau's hands.
Nadeau is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cardinal Richelieu will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Brian Nadeau's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Richelieu looks to land a left hand but Nadeau moved out of range nicely.
Nadeau looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Richelieu is looking to score with low kicks.
Richelieu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Richelieu moves out of range of the body kick from Nadeau.
Nadeau steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Richelieu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A leg kick checked by Nadeau.
Richelieu misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Nadeau counters with a single leg into guard. Richelieu didn't expect that.
Nadeau wants to pass the guard but Richelieu is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nadeau trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nadeau slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Nadeau working the ground and pound but Richelieu is defending the strikes.
Nadeau connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Richelieu some visible discomfort.

Nadeau swings around for an armbar but Richelieu sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Nadeau's guard.
Nadeau keeping moving, preventing Richelieu from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nadeau tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Nadeau is working an open guard so Richelieu takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
No joy there for Richelieu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richelieu throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nadeau blocks a jab.
Richelieu throws a combination. Nadeau tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Richelieu misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Richelieu misses the body punch

and Nadeau counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nadeau slips nicely into half guard.
Nadeau thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Richelieu's head.
Nadeau thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Brian Nadeau has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nadeau tries to pass to full mount but Richelieu defends it.

Nadeau is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Richelieu has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nadeau tries to pass to full mount but Richelieu defends it.

Nadeau is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Richelieu doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nadeau.

Nadeau is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

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.
Nadeau prevents Richelieu from standing back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nadeau has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Richelieu finds it's way round the side to connect with Nadeau's head.
Richelieu works Nadeau's body with a nice hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nadeau misses with a few strikes there.
Richelieu scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Nadeau really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brian Nadeau's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Richelieu misses with a hook.
Richelieu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nadeau sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Richelieu lands a two punch combo.
Cardinal Richelieu is winning the standup battle so far.
Richelieu throws a jab when Nadeau was well out of range.
Nadeau takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Richelieu scores with a hook to the body. Nadeau takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Richelieu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Richelieu. Nadeau does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nadeau takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Richelieu falls off balance throwing a combination

and Nadeau decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Richelieu's guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nadeau content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nadeau looking to pass the guard.
Nadeau is looking to advance position but Richelieu has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Nadeau working to try and regain half guard.
Richelieu has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Nadeau's face.
Nadeau is desperately trying to improve his position but Richelieu has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nadeau regains half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Richelieu in particular looking to stall.
Richelieu wants to control but Nadeau is keeping him busy.
Nadeau wants to get back to full guard but Richelieu has mounted him!
Nadeau sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Richelieu wants to take a breather but Nadeau is having none of it.
Nadeau keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nadeau moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Nadeau looking for a sweep. Not yet Nadeau, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nadeau is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Nadeau has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Richelieu has passed into side control.
Nadeau is trying to get back to half guard.
Nadeau manages to get back to half guard.
Richelieu wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nadeau keeps working.
Richelieu tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's four 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.
Nadeau gets full guard.
Richelieu preventing the sweep.
Nadeau manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Richelieu manages to get himself to full guard.
Nadeau throwing strikes from guard but Richelieu blocks nicely.
Nadeau trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Richelieu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Richelieu is controlling Nadeau's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Nadeau dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Brian Nadeau's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nadeau slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nadeau gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nadeau keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Richelieu throws a combination that misses

and Nadeau counters with a nice double leg into side control. Richelieu won't be happy with that.
Nadeau landing a few strikes.

Nadeau tries for a kimura but Richelieu is defending well.
Richelieu is trying to get back to half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nadeau throws a strike aimed at the side of Richelieu's head but Richelieu avoids it well.
Nadeau working away.

Nadeau thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Nadeau throws an elbow but Richelieu slips to the side and avoids it well.
Richelieu manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Nadeau regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nadeau 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.

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.
Richelieu wants to control from the top but Nadeau keeps moving.

Nadeau throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Richelieu escapes and throws Nadeau's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Nadeau takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Nadeau takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Nadeau is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Richelieu is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Richelieu controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nadeau can't escape the position.
Richelieu pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Richelieu controlling from mount.
Brian Nadeau is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Richelieu fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Richelieu lands with some strikes.
Nadeau tries to reverse the position but Richelieu maintains control.
Nadeau is squirming around, avoiding Richelieu's attempts to control the action.

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.
Nadeau keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Richelieu landing strikes from the mount and Nadeau is in trouble!
Nadeau really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Nadeau slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Richelieu will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Nadeau is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Richelieu pulls his head out easily.
Cardinal Richelieu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nadeau moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Nadeau comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nadeau 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 47:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 46:49
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Nadeau!
Brian Nadeau is the new bantamweight champion!