PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Corey Cormier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rakkiat Nongkeeswuit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cormier comes to the cage accompanied by Pharoahe Monch - Simon Says. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cormier
vs
Nongkeeswuit

179 cm
27
161 lbs
15 - 16 - 0

180 cm
21
167 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Corey Cormier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rakkiat Nongkeeswuit!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Robert Douchet and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nongkeeswuit shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cormier defends it nicely.
Nongkeeswuit tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cormier fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nongkeeswuit throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Nongkeeswuit takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Corey Cormier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cormier misses with an uppercut. Nongkeeswuit saw that one coming.
Cormier looks to land a right hand but Nongkeeswuit moved out of range.
Cormier throws a series of strikes that have Nongkeeswuit backpedaling.

Nongkeeswuit closes the distance and clinches.
Nongkeeswuit jumps guard but Cormier stands there with Nongkeeswuit around his waist. Nongkeeswuit gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nongkeeswuit can't get the takedown.
Corey Cormier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rakkiat Nongkeeswuit.
Nongkeeswuit goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cormier prevents it.
Cormier stalls.
Nongkeeswuit is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nongkeeswuit drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cormier gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cormier wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cormier is trying to force a seperation but Nongkeeswuit has the dominant position.

Cormier breaks from the clinch.
Nongkeeswuit throws a wild body kick that Cormier sees coming a mile off.
Cormier throws a series of punches but Nongkeeswuit avoids them all with ease.
No joy there for Cormier, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Corey Cormier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A combination from Cormier does no damage.
Cormier scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nongkeeswuit doesn't seem bothered though.
Cormier misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cormier lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nongkeeswuit blocks a jab.
Cormier throws a leg kick but Nongkeeswuit checks it.
Cormier misses with a wild combination.
Sloppy strikes from Cormier. Those never looked like landing.
Cormier tries to clinch

and Nongkeeswuit counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cormier prevents the takedown attempt.
Nongkeeswuit trying to land knees to the body.
Cormier tries to break free but Nongkeeswuit pushes him back against the cage.

Cormier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cormier tries to clinch but Nongkeeswuit moves away
and Nongkeeswuit counters with a body kick that stops Cormier in his tracks momentarily.
Cormier tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Nongkeeswuit manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cormier throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Nongkeeswuit decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cormier's guard.
Nongkeeswuit stopping the sweep attempt from Cormier.
Nongkeeswuit trying to control the position from guard on top but Cormier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nongkeeswuit controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nongkeeswuit has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Cormier is proving hard to escape from.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Nongkeeswuit prevents Cormier from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rakkiat Nongkeeswuit was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Cormier keeps the fight on the outside.
Cormier will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nongkeeswuit fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cormier misses with a combination

so Nongkeeswuit counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Nongkeeswuit wants to stand and escape but instead Cormier has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Cormier throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nongkeeswuit looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Cormier stands up from Nongkeeswuit's guard - Cormier perhaps looking for a knockout.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nongkeeswuit throws a push kick but Cormier slaps the foot to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rakkiat Nongkeeswuit will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cormier swings away with a body shot that misses
and Nongkeeswuit counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Nongkeeswuit slips a straight right by Cormier.
Crunch! Nongkeeswuit slams his shin into Cormier's torso.
Nongkeeswuit scores with a head kick. Cormier tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Corey Cormier has been cut.
A combination from Cormier does no damage.
Cormier throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nongkeeswuit stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nongkeeswuit is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Cormier.
Good exchange - Cormier coming out on top.
Cormier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cormier misses with a double jab

and Nongkeeswuit decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cormier's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nongkeeswuit prevents Cormier from getting back to his feet.
Cormier looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nongkeeswuit is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cormier controls Nongkeeswuit momentarily but Nongkeeswuit frees himself.
Nongkeeswuit showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cormier is looking to stand up but Nongkeeswuit isn't so interested in that idea.

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.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Cormier 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rakkiat Nongkeeswuit.
Cormier tries to close the distance and clinch but Nongkeeswuit swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cormier misses with a double jab
and Nongkeeswuit counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Nongkeeswuit shoots in looking for a takedown but Cormier manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nongkeeswuit's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cormier misses with an uppercut. Nongkeeswuit saw that one coming.
Cormier fails to land with a series of punches.
Corey Cormier is winning the standup battle so far.
Nongkeeswuit keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cormier.

Nongkeeswuit moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nongkeeswuit wants the takedown. Cormier is fighting it off but Nongkeeswuit persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Cormier's guard against the cage.
Cormier wants to stand up but Nongkeeswuit is controlling him.
Cormier pulls Nongkeeswuit in close to his closed guard and prevents Nongkeeswuit from doing any damage or advancing position.
Cormier looking to control.
Nongkeeswuit slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cormier falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nongkeeswuit counters with a nice body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nongkeeswuit tries to score a body lock takedown but Cormier shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cormier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cormier is pressed up against the cage. Nongkeeswuit has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cormier down to the mat. Cormier avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Corey Cormier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rakkiat Nongkeeswuit.
Nongkeeswuit stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cormier.
Cormier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nongkeeswuit slips a jab and a cross from Cormier.
Cormier throws a front kick aimed at Nongkeeswuit's knee but Nongkeeswuit avoids it well.
Cormier misses with a combination
enabling Nongkeeswuit to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nongkeeswuit looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cormier shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Nongkeeswuit eats them both and turns towards Cormier to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rakkiat Nongkeeswuit showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Corey Cormier's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cormier keeps the fight on the outside.
Nongkeeswuit uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cormier.
Cormier misses with a looping left.
Cormier throws a series of punches but Nongkeeswuit avoids them all with ease.
Cormier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nongkeeswuit defending well as Cormier loads up on a big left hand.
Nongkeeswuit throws a head kick that misses.
Cormier misses with a two punch combination.

Nongkeeswuit closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cormier did well to prevent Nongkeeswuit getting side control.
Nongkeeswuit tries to stand but can't do so whilst Cormier controls his leg.
Cormier tries to get to full guard but Nongkeeswuit has control of the leg.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nongkeeswuit postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Cormier to stand up.
Some wild striking there from Cormier.
A big left from Cormier misses.
Nongkeeswuit blocks a jab.

Nongkeeswuit has managed to clinch.

Nongkeeswuit breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheers as Cormier lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nongkeeswuit doesn't seem phased though.
Nongkeeswuit takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Nongkeeswuit takes the fight into the clinch.

Cormier manages to break the clinch.
Corey Cormier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Cormier misses its intended target.

Nongkeeswuit feints and as Cormier raises his hands in defense, Nongkeeswuit changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Cormier is looking for a triangle but Nongkeeswuit pushes his legs off easily.
Nongkeeswuit controls from within his opponent's guard.
Cormier keeping moving, preventing Nongkeeswuit from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cormier is pulling down on Nongkeeswuit's head. It's preventing any offense from Nongkeeswuit, at least for the moment.
Nongkeeswuit postures up.

Cormier is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Nongkeeswuit got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cormier has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nongkeeswuit has managed to get both his arms back between Cormier's legs - danger averted.

That's four 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.

Cormier is working an open guard so Nongkeeswuit takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Cormier throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nongkeeswuit scores with a kick to the body.

Nongkeeswuit shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Cormier is trying to stand back up but Nongkeeswuit is controlling him

And that's the end of the fight!
Rakkiat Nongkeeswuit comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nongkeeswuit winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rakkiat Nongkeeswuit!