PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Moritz Zimmerman (ranked 1166 p4p, 1345 weight class) and Casimiro Nicoletta (ranked 169 p4p, 198 weight class). Nicoletta has chosen For Once In My Life as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Zimmerman
vs
Nicoletta

200 cm
27
215
13 - 11 - 1

190 cm
27
210
16 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

New Standard
Urban Fighter

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 13 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Moritz Zimmerman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Casimiro Nicoletta!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Atkins and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zimmerman with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nicoletta to score with a decent uppercut.

It looks like Moritz Zimmerman has been cut.
Nicoletta has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Zimmerman slips a straight right by Nicoletta.
Zimmerman closes the distance and clinches up with Nicoletta, looking for a takedown. Zimmerman pushes Nicoletta against the cage but Nicoletta circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nicoletta with a jab.
We've been hearing reports that Zimmerman has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Nicoletta rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Zimmerman decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nicoletta's guard.
Nicoletta is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Zimmerman drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Nicoletta dives on top into guard.

Zimmerman wants to sweep here but Nicoletta controlling him for the moment.

Zimmerman has an active guard here but Nicoletta has managed to pass into half guard.
Nicoletta wants to stand up but Zimmerman is controlling the position.

Zimmerman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nicoletta pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicoletta takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Zimmerman looking for submissions off his back.
Nicoletta looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Zimmerman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nicoletta tries to stand but can't do so whilst Zimmerman controls his leg.

Zimmerman looking for submissions off his back.

Nicoletta stands up from half guard.
Zimmerman tries to clinch up but Nicoletta circles away and keeps his distance.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nicoletta darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Casimiro Nicoletta is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zimmerman half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nicoletta misses with an uppercut.
Zimmerman feinted with a counter takedown.

Nicoletta lands a big head kick that sends Zimmerman tumbling to the mat! Nicoletta takes a step backwards and waves Zimmerman back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Zimmerman is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nicoletta takes a swing at Zimmerman's ribcage but misses.
Zimmerman changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Zimmerman closes the distance and clinches up with Nicoletta, looking for a takedown. Zimmerman pushes Nicoletta against the cage but Nicoletta circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nicoletta looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Casimiro Nicoletta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zimmerman fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Moritz Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zimmerman fails to land the takedown.
Nicoletta looks to land a right hand but Zimmerman moved out of range.
Zimmerman is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Nicoletta.
Zimmerman moves out of range as Nicoletta strikes.
Nicoletta throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicoletta scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Zimmerman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zimmerman attempts a counter takedown but Nicoletta avoids it well and moves away.
Nicoletta thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zimmerman changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nicoletta misses with a double jab

and Zimmerman counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zimmerman.
Nicoletta wants to sweep but no luck.
Nicoletta preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zimmerman looking to pass the guard.

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

Nicoletta decides to stand back up. Nicoletta steps back and let's Zimmerman get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicoletta moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nicoletta tries to bum rush Zimmerman with a series of wild strikes but Zimmerman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zimmerman attempts a counter takedown but Nicoletta avoids it well and moves away.
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!
Nicoletta throws a lazy uppercut

and Zimmerman counters with a takedown into side control.

Nicoletta explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
A big right from Nicoletta misses.
Zimmerman shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nicoletta throws a jab when Zimmerman was well out of range.
Zimmerman tries to counter with a takedown but Nicoletta is quick to defend against it.
Zimmerman slips under a jab from Nicoletta.
Zimmerman feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Nicoletta throws a lazy right hand but Zimmerman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zimmerman changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Zimmerman slips under a jab from Nicoletta.
Zimmerman attempts a counter takedown but Nicoletta avoids it well and moves away.
Zimmerman shoots in looking for a takedown but Nicoletta manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zimmerman's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zimmerman moves out of range of the strikes.
Zimmerman half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Casimiro Nicoletta dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Moritz Zimmerman'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.

Nicoletta swings widly with a right hand

and Zimmerman counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Nicoletta!
Nicoletta tries to buck Zimmerman off but Zimmerman is having none of it.

Zimmerman looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Zimmerman looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
You can see the frustration on Nicoletta's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zimmerman throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zimmerman tries for a kimura but Nicoletta is defending well.

Zimmerman thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zimmerman tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zimmerman has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Casimiro Nicoletta has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zimmerman postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Nicoletta has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nicoletta is trying to get back to his feet.
Nicoletta struggling a bit here.
Nicoletta is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Nicoletta avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Zimmerman.

Zimmerman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nicoletta is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

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.
Nicoletta tries to bench press Zimmerman off him but Zimmerman keeps the position.
Zimmerman working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
You can see the frustration on Nicoletta's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

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

Zimmerman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nicoletta is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Nicoletta is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Zimmerman asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zimmerman is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Nicoletta has escaped the position, nice work there.

Zimmerman is trying to get an arm triangle but Nicoletta is defending well.

Zimmerman thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Zimmerman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nicoletta is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Nicoletta is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Zimmerman tries to score with some ground and pound. Nicoletta controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Zimmerman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nicoletta is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Zimmerman tries for a kimura but Nicoletta is defending well.
Nicoletta is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Zimmerman is controlling him well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The strikes coming from Zimmerman are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Nicoletta avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Zimmerman.
Nicoletta is pushing Zimmerman's head away, looking to escape. Zimmerman manages to hold on to the position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Moritz Zimmerman dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Moritz Zimmerman's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Zimmerman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nicoletta's waist but Nicoletta gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zimmerman off to one side.
Nicoletta throws a left and a right that both miss

and Zimmerman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Nicoletta looks like he's trying to stand up.
Zimmerman throwing shots but Nicoletta is blocking nicely.
Nicoletta is trying to stand up here but Zimmerman is controlling him well.

Zimmerman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Nicoletta kicks off Zimmerman and gets to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zimmerman drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zimmerman is defended easily by Nicoletta.
Nicoletta throws out a counter right but Zimmerman avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicoletta throws a hook but Zimmerman blocks it.
Nicoletta throws a hook but Zimmerman blocks it.
Zimmerman seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nicoletta throws a big shot that misses.
Zimmerman is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Nicoletta misses the target.
Zimmerman changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nicoletta connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Nicoletta feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Zimmerman sprawling to the canvas! Zimmerman rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Nicoletta finish him?!
Oh Zimmerman is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nicoletta misses with a head kick.
Zimmerman changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A telegraphed right hand from Nicoletta misses the target.
Zimmerman is looking to counter with head kicks.
Nicoletta throws a hook but Zimmerman blocks it.
No joy there for Nicoletta, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zimmerman seems to have got his legs back now.
Nicoletta scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman moves out of range as Nicoletta strikes.
Nicoletta throws the left hand but Zimmerman avoids the punch easily.
Zimmerman feinted with a counter takedown.
Zimmerman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zimmerman tries to counter with a takedown but Nicoletta is quick to defend against it.
Nicoletta misses with a left hand

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

Nicoletta kicks Zimmerman off and gets back to his feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Nicoletta.

Moritz Zimmerman's cut is getting worse.
Nicoletta misses with a body shot.
Zimmerman slips under a jab.
Zimmerman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nicoletta sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zimmerman somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Moritz Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Nicoletta as Zimmerman shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Zimmerman with that takedown attempt.
Zimmerman closes the distance and clinches up with Nicoletta, looking for a takedown. Zimmerman pushes Nicoletta against the cage but Nicoletta circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zimmerman moves out of range of the strikes.
Some wild striking there from Nicoletta.
Nicoletta throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zimmerman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zimmerman gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Zimmerman keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nicoletta.
Nicoletta swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Nicoletta gets caught napping as Zimmerman dives in and scores a takedown. Nicoletta manages to retain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nicoletta controls Zimmerman momentarily but Zimmerman frees himself.
Zimmerman passes into half guard.

Zimmerman is looking for a kimura but Nicoletta is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zimmerman to get the leverage.
Nicoletta is trying to stand.

Zimmerman is looking for a kimura but Nicoletta is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zimmerman to get the leverage.

Nicoletta pushes Zimmerman off and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zimmerman staying out of range there.
Zimmerman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Zimmerman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nicoletta throws out the jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Casimiro Nicoletta comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nicoletta 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Casimiro Nicoletta!
A very excited looking Casimiro Nicoletta 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.