PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Oroku Saki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasilios Nicko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vasilios Nicko has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Oroku Saki's chin.

Saki
vs
Nicko

178 cm
25
163 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

176 cm
25
165 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Big heart

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Defiance

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Oroku Saki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vasilios Nicko!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saki takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nicko slaps away a takedown attempt from Saki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Saki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nicko defends it nicely.
Saki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nicko.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nicko throws a series of punches but Saki moves out of range.
Nicko jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nicko cracks Saki with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Saki is rocked!
Saki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Oh Saki is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fighters circle momentarily. Nicko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nicko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nicko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nicko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saki moves away.
Saki seems to have got his legs back now.
Saki misses with a hook. Nicko ducked under it nicely.
Saki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nicko.
Nicko misses with a straight right.

Saki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nicko is trying to stand up here but Saki is controlling him well.

Saki looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saki looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Nicko is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nicko taking some punishment here, with Saki in his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Saki is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nicko sees it coming and defends easily.
Saki is trying to control the action in half guard but Nicko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Saki stops Nicko from getting back to his feet.
Saki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Saki working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Nicko's thigh. Nicko counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Saki is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Nicko is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Nicko has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nicko slips nicely into half guard.
Saki is staying active underneath Nicko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Saki is trying to get back to full guard.
Saki is not content to let Nicko control the position.
Nicko trying to mount his opponent but Saki defends it.
Nicko frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

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.
Saki tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nicko working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Saki manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Saki manages to get to full guard.
Nicko trying to control but Saki is working from the bottom.
Nicko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saki swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Saki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Saki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nicko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nicko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilios Nicko dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nicko scores with a three punch combo!
Saki slips a jab and a cross from Nicko.
Nicko stuffs the takedown attempt from Saki. Saki gets slowly back to his feet.

Saki closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Saki lands in his opponent's guard.
Saki stops Nicko from standing up.
Sakiis looking to pass into half guard but Nicko pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Nicko is in guard.
Saki looking for a sweep. Not yet Saki, not yet.
Nicko passes Saki's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Nicko trying to pass the guard but Saki defending well.

Nicko is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nicko is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saki looking for submissions off his back.
Saki manages to get to full guard.
Nicko tries to free his leg and advance position but Saki is retaining full guard.
Nicko trying to control but Saki is working from the bottom.
Saki wants to sweep here but Nicko controlling him for the moment.
Nicko slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Nicko has hold of Saki's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Saki seems comfortable defending it but Nicko has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Saki is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Saki is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Nicko couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Vasilios Nicko!