PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Kristo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kesse Nesse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan Kristo looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Kristo
vs
Nesse

180 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
20
205 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryan Kristo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kesse Nesse!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Sano and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kristo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nesse as he avoids it easily.
Jeez, both these guys look absolutely knackered already, that's not a good sign!
Nesse fails in his attempt to clinch.

Kristo 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.
Nesse avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kristo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kristo won't allow Nesse to get back to his feet.
Kristo wanted to stand there but Nesse had control of the position.
Kristo postures up in Nesse's guard and throws a big left but Nesse blocks it.
Nesse looking for a sweep. Not yet Nesse, not yet.
Kristo 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.
Kristo wants to stand and escape but instead Nesse has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Kristo had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Nesse is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kristo Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Nesse's back instead.

Kristo patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Nesse looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Kristo punishes Nesse with strikes from the back mount.

Kristo is looking for a choke. Nesse gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Nesse manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.

Kristo has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Nesse is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Kristo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nesse scores with a couple of short elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nesse stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Kristo shoots in and drives through. Nesse sprawls well.

Nesse shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nesse wants to pass the guard but Kristo is keeping the position.
Kristo trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Kristo looking for a sweep. Not yet Kristo, not yet.
Kristo trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Kristo looking for a guillotine here but Nesse defends easily.
Nesse keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kristo's head.
Nesse is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kristo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nesse trying to control the position from guard on top but Kristo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kristo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nesse gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nesse pushes down on Kristo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kristo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kristo.
Kristo throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Kristo looking for a guillotine here but Nesse defends easily.

Kristo isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Nesse stacks Kristo 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 Nesse!
Kristo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kristo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nesse's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Nesse throwing shots but Kristo is blocking nicely.
Kristo works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nesse trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nesse won't allow Kristo to sweep him here.
Nesse controls from within his opponent's guard.

Kristo has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nesse off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Kristo has his takedown stuffed

and Nesse counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Kristo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nesse blocks an uppercut.
Kristo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kristo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kristo is pressed up against the cage. Nesse has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kristo down to the mat. Kristo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kristo tries for a takedown but Nesse circles away easily
and Nesse counters with a one-two to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nesse fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kristo sprawls well initially but Nesse persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kristo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Nesse lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kristo is looking to improve his position.
Kristo is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kristo gets back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nesse makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Kristo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Nesse controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kesse Nesse will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nesse scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Nesse throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kristo misses with a takedown attempt
and Nesse counters with a left and a right that stings Kristo.
Kristo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kristo misses with a takedown attempt - Nesse sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Kristo gets caught flat footed, as Nesse shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kristo throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Kristo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nesse's guard.
Nesse 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.
Nesse is trying to control the position but Kristo postures up.
Kristo looking to pass the guard.

Nesse had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Kristo is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Nesse Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Kristo's back instead.
Kristo manages to reverse the position and now he's in Nesse's guard. Nice work there by Kristo.
Kristo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nesse utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kristo throwing strikes from guard but Nesse blocks nicely.
Nesse pulls Kristo in to control the position.

Kristo decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Nesse, up you get!
Kristo shoots and misses
letting Nesse counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Kristo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nesse scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kristo fails with the takedown

and Nesse counters by moving into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kristo.
Kristo prevents the takedown attempt.
Nesse blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Kristo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nesse throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kristo blocks it with crossed arms.
Nesse blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kristo misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nesse.
Nesse is trying to maintain a safe position but Kristo gets an underhook and turns Nesse into the cage.
Nesse can't break the clinch.
Nesse tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kristo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nesse is looking to control Kristo's arms but Kristo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nesse has his back to the cage.
Nesse blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Nesse escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kristo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ryan Kristo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Nesse shoots in and bounces Kristo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kristo striking off his back but it's not causing Nesse any problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kristo trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Kristo is striking off his back. Nesse thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Kristo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nesse's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nesse's back!
Kristo lands shots from the back.
Nesse trying to control but not successfully.
Nesse looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Kristo is trying to stick to Nesse's back but Nesse is turning into Kristo. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kristo's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Nesse.
Kristo throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Kristo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kristo lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Kristo keeping moving, preventing Nesse from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kristo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nesse counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kristo is lucky that one didn't land flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick from Nesse lands but Kristo takes it in his stride.
Kristo misses with a takedown

and Nesse counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kristo wants to get back to full guard.
Nesse seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kristo works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nesse content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nesse is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kristo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kristo seems to be looking for submissions.
Nesse keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Kristo decides to stand up.

Kristo gets a takedown into half guard.
Nesse keeping control of the position.
Kristo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kristo thows a huge punch but Nesse dodges it nicely.
Nesse tries to kick Kristo off but Kristo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kristo tries to pass to full mount but Nesse defends it.
Nesse is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kristo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kristo looks to land a strike but Nesse avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kesse Nesse has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kristo looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nesse lands a with a good body shot.
Kristo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kristo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kristo shoots in but no luck this time.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kristo is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nesse.
Ryan Kristo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Nesse closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kristo to the mat! Kristo manages to get full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kristo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nesse postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kristo 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.

Nesse gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kesse Nesse showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kristo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nesse's guard.
Kristo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nesse swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kristo drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Nesse manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kristo has Nesse in his guard.
Nesse is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nesse trying to control the position from guard on top but Kristo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nesse passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Nesse trying to control the position but Kristo is working away.
Kristo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nesse's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Kristo makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Kristo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kristo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kristo closes the distance and clinches up with Nesse, looking for a takedown. Kristo pushes Nesse against the cage but Nesse circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kristo fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nesse tries to clinch there but Kristo circles away.
Kristo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nesse.

Nesse shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kristo's guard.

Kristo manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Nesse drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Nesse is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kristo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kristo manages to get back to half guard.
Nice strikes from Nesse there.
Kristo is looking to get back to is feet but Nesse passes into side control.
Kristo tries to bench press Nesse off him but Nesse keeps the position.
Kristo throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Kristo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Nesse darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kristo is not content to let Nesse control the position.
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. Nesse connects with a nice short shot to Kristo's temple.
Kristo works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kristo is striking but Nesse is not phased and passes to half guard.
Kristo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kristo has hold of Nesse's hands but Nesse slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nesse prevents Kristo from improving his position.
Kristo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kristo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kristo 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.
Kristo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kristo lands with a punch from half guard.
Nesse is trying to stand back up but Kristo is controlling him
Kristo wants to pass to mount but Nesse is defending the position.
Kristo working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nesse tries to kick Kristo off but Kristo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kristo is pressing down on Nesse's thigh, looking to free his foot. Nesse is holding on for now.
Nesse moves into full guard.
Kristo is looking to work some ground and pound but Nesse has wrist control.
Kristo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nesse swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nesse is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kristo misses with a punch on the inside.

Nesse jumps guard.
Kristo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kristo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nesse wants to stand and escape but Kristo is having none of it.
Kristo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kristo tries to free his leg and advance position but Nesse is retaining full guard.

Kristo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Nesse looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Nesse looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Nesse!

Nesse stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Kristo misses with a takedown attempt
and Nesse counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Kristo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nesse drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kristo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nesse's guard.
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!
Nesse has a closed guard, preventing Kristo from standing up.
Kristo throwing strikes but missing.
Ryan Kristo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kristo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kesse Nesse comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nesse has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kesse Nesse!