PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenrick Nikil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ron Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikil comes to the cage accompanied by Wait and Bleed by Slipknot. Ron Sparks will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Nikil
vs
Sparks

191 cm
27
285 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

200 cm
20
263 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kenrick Nikil!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ron Sparks!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, David Schapiro and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sparks pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Nikil back to the cage. Sparks follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Kenrick Nikil has been cut.
A big left from Nikil misses.

Nikil scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sparks is looking to regain half guard here but Nikil keeps moving and retains side control.
Nikil throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Sparks works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

Sparks actively working from the bottom here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikil working Sparks over with strikes.
Nikil throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Sparks actively working from the bottom here.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikil trying to pass the guard but Sparks defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sparks is trying to maintain the position but Nikil is very close to passing his half guard.
Sparks is trying to get back to full guard.
Sparks moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Nikil avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nikil slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sparks looking for subs off his back but Nikil has passed one foot through into half guard.
Nikil thows a huge punch but Sparks dodges it nicely.
Nikil landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sparks scores with a few weak punches.
Nikil trying to control from half guard but Sparks is working away.
Nikil lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks moves into full guard.
Sparks looking to control.

Sparks had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nikil defends it easily.
Nikil throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sparks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nikil working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nikil accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sparks had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nikil defends it easily.
Nikil trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nikil scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sparks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nikil is one step ahead there.
Nikil makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nikil scoring with some ground and pound.
Nikil has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nikil throws an elbow that misses. Sparks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nikil's guard. Nice move by Sparks!
Nikil can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sparks controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenrick Nikil dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kenrick Nikil's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nikil shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sparks is trying to defend but Nikil finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sparks is looking to improve his position.
Nikil thows a huge punch but Sparks dodges it nicely.
Nikil tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sparks knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kenrick Nikil overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sparks avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nikil.
Sparks keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Nikil wants to take a breather but Sparks is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikil sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sparks defending well though.
Nikil wants to control but Sparks is keeping him busy.
Sparks keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sparks gets back to full guard.

Sparks is looking for a triangle but Nikil pushes his legs off easily.

Sparks working for a triangle but Nikil defends it easily.
Nikil wants to control from the top but Sparks keeps moving.
Nikil knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sparks on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sparks working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nikil doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nikil manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sparks controls Nikil momentarily but Nikil frees himself.
Nikil in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sparks keeping moving, preventing Nikil from controlling successfully.

Nikil avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sparks working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sparks working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nikil doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nikil manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sparks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nikil scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nikil with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nikil is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Nikil scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nikil postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sparks working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparks keeping moving, preventing Nikil from controlling successfully.
Sparks trying to control the position.
Nikil looking to pass the guard.
Nikil lands a couple of digs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikil with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nikil in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikil trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nikil postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenrick Nikil dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kenrick Nikil's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nikil is looking to clinch but Sparks is avoiding it.
Sparks fails to land the takedown.

Nikil throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sparks was covering up waiting for the punch and Nikil finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Nikil is looking to work some ground and pound but Sparks has wrist control.
Nikil trying to control but Sparks is working from the bottom.
Nikil postures up in Sparks's guard and throws a big left but Sparks blocks it.
Nikil postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nikil accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sparks is on top in guard.
Nikil keeping moving, preventing Sparks from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nikil is keeping the position for now.
Sparks trying to move into half guard but instead Nikil has managed to sweep!

Sparks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sparks looking for a sweep. Not yet Sparks, not yet.
Sparks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ron Sparks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikil scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Nikil postures up and lands a big shot to Sparks's brow.
Nikil pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sparks is keeping the position for now.
Sparks wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Nikil is now in half guard.
Nikil is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sparks has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nikil is working away from the top position though.
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. Nikil connects with a nice short shot to Sparks's temple.
Nikil lands strikes from half guard.
Nikil drops an elbow to the side of Sparks's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikil thows a huge punch but Sparks dodges it nicely.

Sparks actively working from the bottom here.
Nikil missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nikil drops an elbow to the side of Sparks's head.

Sparks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nikil pulls his head out easily.
Kenrick Nikil is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sparks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nikil slows the pace down in half guard.

Sparks actively working from the bottom here.
Nikil winds up and cracks Sparks with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikil not doing much here.
Nikil is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Sparks is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikil is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Sparks is hurt! He's hurt bad - Nikil fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Sparks from any more punishment! Congratulations to Nikil! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kenrick Nikil!
After winning the bout, Kenrick Nikil thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.