PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Arvo Penaali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lou Nahtic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Penaali comes to the cage accompanied by Immortal Technique - Obnoxius. Nahtic comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Sleeping My Day Away kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Penaali
vs
Nahtic

180 cm
43
140 lbs
32 - 19 - 2

180 cm
36
140 lbs
17 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Amped Performance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 19 - 2, fighting out of New York, Arvo Penaali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lou Nahtic!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, David Schapiro and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Penaali misses with a hook. Nahtic ducked under it nicely.
Nahtic only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Nahtic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Penaali paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nahtic moves out of range of the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Penaali. Nahtic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nahtic connects with an inside leg kick.

Nahtic moves into range and clinches up with Penaali.
Penaali drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Nahtic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lou Nahtic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Penaali dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nahtic swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Penaali.

It looks like Arvo Penaali has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nahtic clinches with his opponent.
Still in the clinch, Nahtic scores with a nice short uppercut.
Penaali has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nahtic after a bit of a struggle.
Penaali really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Penaali tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arvo Penaali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nahtic has Penaali pushed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Nahtic - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nahtic told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Penaali is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nahtic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Penaali tries for a takedown. No joy.
Penaali jumps guard but Nahtic stands there with Penaali around his waist. Penaali gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nahtic.

Penaali has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Nahtic uses from the top position.
Nahtic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Penaali is keeping the position for now.
Nahtic content to stall in guard here.
Nahtic wants to control from the top but Penaali keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nahtic content to stall in guard here.

Penaali is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nahtic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Penaali throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Penaali is trying to keep Nahtic in close.

Nahtic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Penaali being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nahtic trying to control the position from guard on top but Penaali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Penaali wants to get back to his feet but Nahtic is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Penaali keeping moving, preventing Nahtic from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nahtic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Penaali misses with a hook
and Nahtic counters with a thumping low kick.
Nahtic tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Penaali counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Penaali is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Nahtic misses with a low kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nahtic.
Nahtic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A swing and a miss from Nahtic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Nahtic coming out on top.
Nahtic throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nahtic scores with a nice head shot.
Nahtic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Penaali was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nahtic punishes Penaali's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Penaali avoids the head kick by Nahtic.
Nahtic takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Penaali.
Penaali tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nahtic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nahtic dips to his left and cracks Penaali with an uppercut!
Penaali showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nahtic.
Lou Nahtic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Penaali gets a takedown into half guard.
Nahtic wants to improve his position but Penaali is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lou Nahtic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Arvo Penaali's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Penaali throws a shot from downtown. Nahtic moves away and avoids it.
Nahtic moves away from the strike by Penaali.
Some wild striking there from Penaali.
Nahtic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nahtic throws a big shot that misses.
Penaali throws a nice looking combination but Nahtic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Penaali closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nahtic throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nahtic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nahtic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Penaali circles away quickly and effectively.
Nahtic lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Penaali misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Penaali checks a leg kick.
Nahtic throws a hook to the side of Penaali's head but Penaali sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Penaali checks a leg kick.
Nahtic tries to clinch but Penaali is having none of it.
Penaali appears to be looking for a big counter.
Penaali avoids the head kick by Nahtic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nahtic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Penaali.
Nahtic misses with a series of wild punches.
Nahtic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nahtic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nahtic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A little feinted left hand from Penaali on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nahtic scores with a jab to the head.
A clash of legs there as Penaali blocks the low kick.

Penaali has closed the distance and engaged Nahtic in a clinch.
Nahtic is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Penaali is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nahtic is defending well.
Nahtic gets underhooks to prevent Penaali's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arvo Penaali. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nahtic controlling the action here for a moment.
Penaali wants to take the fight to the mat but Nahtic manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Penaali takes a shot to the head.
Penaali has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nahtic avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Nahtic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Arvo Penaali is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nahtic catches Penaali with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Nahtic gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nahtic dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Penaali is trying to pull guard but Nahtic has him pressed against the cage.
Nahtic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Nahtic manages to break the clinch.
Penaali checks a low kick from Nahtic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Penaali shoots in and gets a takedown into Nahtic's guard.
Penaali trying to control but Nahtic is working from the bottom.
Penaali wants to pass the guard but Nahtic is keeping the position.
Nahtic trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Nahtic wants to control but Penaali passes easily into half guard.
Penaali not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Penaali throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Nahtic to regain full guard.
Penaali stopping the sweep attempt from Nahtic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nahtic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nahtic is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Nahtic wants to control but Penaali passes easily into half guard.
Penaali is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Nahtic!
Nahtic tries to lock up and control but Penaali gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The referee warns Nahtic that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Penaali raining down shots from the mount!
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!
Penaali lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lou Nahtic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Arvo Penaali's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nahtic moves into the clinch.
Penaali is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nahtic lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Penaali is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nahtic is defending well.
Penaali looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arvo Penaali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Nahtic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nahtic slips a jab and a cross from Penaali.

Penaali fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nahtic sprawls well initially but Penaali persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Penaali 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.
Nahtic makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nahtic.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nahtic seems keen to control Penaali's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Penaali looking to sit in guard and control but Nahtic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nahtic slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Penaali throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Penaali had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nahtic defends it easily.
Nahtic trying to control but Penaali is working from the bottom.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Nahtic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nahtic landing with the ground and pound.

Penaali is working an open guard so Nahtic takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Nahtic tries to close the distance and clinch but Penaali swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nahtic connects with an inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nahtic. Penaali does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nahtic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Penaali is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nahtic on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nahtic motions for Penaali to come forward. Nahtic throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Penaali tries to clinch but Nahtic is having none of it.
Nahtic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Penaali in his tracks.
Penaali takes a swing at Nahtic's ribcage but misses.
Penaali checks a low kick from Nahtic.
Penaali throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Nahtic counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Penaali drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nahtic prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nahtic stops a takedown attempt from Penaali.
Penaali tries for a takedown but Nahtic manages to get underhooks.

Nahtic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nahtic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penaali ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lou Nahtic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nahtic connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nahtic moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Penaali 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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nahtic lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Penaali has his foot on Nahtic's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nahtic works his way back into a safe position though.
Arvo Penaali has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Penaali is looking for a triangle but Nahtic pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nahtic is stalling in the full guard.
Penaali is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lou Nahtic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nahtic 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lou Nahtic!
An out of breath Lou Nahtic thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.