PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richie Aprile (ranked 2798 p4p, 3133 weight class) and Franz Nicholas (ranked 352 p4p, 398 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Aprile
vs
Nicholas

190 cm
23
270
5 - 3 - 0

190 cm
23
265
5 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Richie Aprile!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Franz Nicholas!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Ivan Kurochkin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nicholas slips under a jab from Aprile.
A big left from Nicholas misses.
Aprile looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Aprile misses with a straight right.
Aprile keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nicholas.
Nicholas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aprile.
Aprile throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nicholas misses with a left hand
enabling Aprile to counter with a crisp jab.
Nicholas scores with a shot to the body.
Nicholas throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Aprile counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aprile uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nicholas has time to react.
Nicholas throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aprile appears to be looking for a big counter.
Aprile walks into a stiff left hand from Nicholas.

Aprile moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Nicholas goes down! Can Aprile finish him!?

Nicholas is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aprile postures up.
Nicholas is still in real trouble! Can Aprile finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aprile stands up from Nicholas's guard - Aprile perhaps looking for a knockout.
Crack! Aprile connects with the perfect overhand right and Nicholas falls face first to the canvas. Timbeeeeeeeer! Beautiful knockout for Aprile!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:09 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Richie Aprile!
After winning the bout, Richie Aprile thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.