PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Nifontov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rhordric Papadakis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Nifontov
vs
Papadakis

172 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Nifontov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rhordric Papadakis!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Papadakis drives through and clinches with Nifontov against the cage.

Nifontov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Papadakis is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Nifontov to the mat. Nifontov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Nifontov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nifontov keeping moving, preventing Papadakis from controlling successfully.
Papadakis passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Papadakis working the ground and pound but Nifontov is defending the strikes.
Papadakis wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nifontov keeps working.
Papadakis has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Papadakis tries to move to mount but Nifontov blocks the move with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papadakis scoring with punches from side control.
Papadakis is working Nifontov over with some ground and pound from side control.
Papadakis working the ground and pound.
Nifontov is breathing heavily.

Papadakis looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Papadakis tries to move to mount but Nifontov blocks the move with his legs.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Papadakis decides to stand back up.

Papadakis scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Papadakis misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Papadakis scoring with punches from side control.

Papadakis is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Nifontov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Papadakis is putting a hurting on Nifontov here, landing some big shots from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Papadakis is trying to get an arm triangle but Nifontov is defending well.
Papadakis lands a decent elbow from side control.
Papadakis throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Papadakis wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nifontov, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Papadakis scores with punches from side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nifontov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Papadakis has just dragged him back down to the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rhordric Papadakis dominated that round.
That's time! Nifontov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Papadakis 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.
Papadakis landing some decent shots from guard.
Papadakis looking to pass the guard.
Papadakis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Papadakis works over Nifontov with some ground and pound from guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Papadakis wants to control from the top but Nifontov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nifontov keeping full guard, as Papadakis tries to pass.
Papadakis pushing down on Nifontov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Papadakis wants to work for an arm triangle but Nifontov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nifontov tries to kick Papadakis off in order to stand up. Papadakis Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Papadakis lands a few punches from side control.
Nifontov tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

Papadakis looking for a guillotine from mount but Nifontov is having none of it.

Papadakis is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Nifontov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Papadakis lands a big shot there that rocks Nifontov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Papadakis working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Nifontov is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

Papadakis is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Nifontov has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papadakis can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nifontov is looking to escape.

Papadakis goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Nifontov turns into him and now he's in Papadakis's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Papadakis working for a triangle but Nifontov defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rhordric Papadakis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Papadakis closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nifontov quickly recovers to half guard.
Papadakis trying to control the action but Nifontov is working from the bottom.

Papadakis is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Papadakis stops Nifontov from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Papadakis is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nifontov has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Papadakis is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nifontov is just riding it out for now. Papadakis eventually gives up the hold.

Papadakis seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Papadakis is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Nifontov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Papadakis is controlling him.
Papadakis advances position into side control!
Nifontov tries to escape but Papadakis is in control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papadakis landing a few strikes.

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

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

Papadakis wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nifontov, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Papadakis tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rhordric Papadakis is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nifontov is not content to let Papadakis control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rhordric Papadakis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Papadakis has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rhordric Papadakis!
After winning the bout, Rhordric Papadakis thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.