PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marek Kowalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Nikkoms (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kowalski has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Victor Nikkoms looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Kowalski
vs
Nikkoms

183 cm
20
230 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
20
240 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marek Kowalski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Victor Nikkoms!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Bruno Hogan and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Kowalski or perhaps it was just good defense by Nikkoms which made him look bad.
Nikkoms swinging wildly here.
Nikkoms tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kowalski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Victor Nikkoms seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikkoms looks to land a combination but Kowalski avoids it well.
Nikkoms jabs at Kowalski's body.

Kowalski throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Nikkoms tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kowalski is in Nikkoms's guard.
Nikkoms looks gassed!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Nikkoms looking for a sweep. Not yet Nikkoms, not yet.
Kowalski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kowalski gets to his feet - Nikkoms follows without any prompting.
Nikkoms is looking to chop away at Kowalski's legs.

Nikkoms tries to keep at a distance but Kowalski has taken the fight into the clinch.

Kowalski has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Nikkoms is trying to keep an underhook but Kowalski manages to get the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Nikkoms actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kowalski tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Nikkoms.
Nikkoms regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kowalski trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikkoms is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kowalski controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nikkoms looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Marek Kowalski.
Nikkoms tries to clinch up but Kowalski circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikkoms shoots in but Kowalski avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nikkoms throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kowalski throws a head kick that misses.
Kowalski could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Nikkoms moves in looking to clinch but Kowalski pushes him off.
Nikkoms misses with a two punch combination.

Kowalski clinches up against the cage.
Kowalski has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nikkoms avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nikkoms wants to get back to striking at distance but Kowalski won't allow it.

Kowalski breaks the clinch.

Kowalski tries to sprawl but Nikkoms drives through with a takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikkoms trying to control from Kowalski's half guard. Kowalski has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikkoms trying to control but Kowalski is working from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nikkoms postures up.
Nikkoms landing some decent shots from guard.
Kowalski pulls Nikkoms in close to his closed guard and prevents Nikkoms from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kowalski trying to keep a closed guard but Nikkoms is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marek Kowalski has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Nikkoms avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kowalski wants to clinch up but Nikkoms keeps it at a distance.
Nice straight punches there by Nikkoms. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nikkoms.
Nikkoms stuns Kowalski with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Kowalski shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Kowalski was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikkoms working to try and regain half guard.
Nikkoms manages to regain half guard. Good work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikkoms is looking to escape.
Nikkoms is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marek Kowalski will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kowalski shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nikkoms as he avoids it easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kowalski.
Nikkoms tries to score with a low kick but Kowalski moves his leg out of the way.
A head kick misses from Nikkoms.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kowalski.
Nikkoms closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nikkoms tries to clinch there but Kowalski circles away.
Nikkoms tries to clinch up.
No joy there for Nikkoms, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Kowalski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nikkoms, pushing him back against the cage.

Kowalski wants the takedown. Nikkoms is fighting it off but Kowalski persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Nikkoms's guard against the cage.

Nikkoms is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nikkoms is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nikkoms trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nikkoms chips away with some ground and pound.

Kowalski looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kowalski has control of Nikkoms's left arm, preventing Nikkoms from doing any damage.
Kowalski is trying to control the position but Nikkoms postures up.
Nikkoms looking to pass the guard.

Nikkoms drops back looking for a leg! Kowalski is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kowalski manages to kick Nikkoms off! Nikkoms jumps back into Kowalski's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nikkoms manages to get himself to full guard.

Kowalski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kowalski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kowalski wants to control from the top but Nikkoms keeps moving.
Kowalski scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kowalski has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nikkoms wants to sweep here but Kowalski controlling him for the moment.

Kowalski got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nikkoms has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kowalski has managed to get both his arms back between Nikkoms's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nikkoms throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Nikkoms kicks Kowalski off and gets to his feet.
Kowalski shoots in for a takedown but Nikkoms shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marek Kowalski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikkoms lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kowalski circles away quickly and effectively.

Kowalski pushes Nikkoms up against the cage in a clinch.
Nikkoms misses with a body punch.

Kowalski gets control of Nikkoms's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kowalski will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkoms preventing the sweep.

Nikkoms drops back looking for a leg! Kowalski is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kowalski manages to kick Nikkoms off! Nikkoms jumps back into Kowalski's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kowalski is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Nikkoms has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kowalski is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kowalski - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Kowalski lands a takedown into guard.

Nikkoms escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kowalski gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Marek Kowalski will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nikkoms stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nikkoms wants it to stay on the feet.
Nikkoms uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kowalski has time to react.
Nikkoms shoots in looking for a takedown. Kowalski tries to sprawl out of it but Nikkoms keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kowalski manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Kowalski with that takedown attempt.
Nikkoms displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kowalski.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marek Kowalski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikkoms tries to clinch there but Kowalski circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nikkoms works over Kowalski's head and body with a nice combination.
Kowalski throws a big shot that misses.
Nikkoms throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kowalski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nikkoms sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kowalski somewhat.
Kowalski showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nikkoms.
Nikkoms misses with a straight right.
Kowalski looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nikkoms is fending him off so far but Kowalski persists. Nope, Nikkoms circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikkoms is looking to clinch but Kowalski is avoiding it.
Nikkoms fails in his attempt to clinch.
Marek Kowalski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nikkoms throws a one two combo.
Nikkoms does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nikkoms misses with the combination.
Victor Nikkoms seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nikkoms goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nikkoms.
Nikkoms tries for a takedown but Kowalski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nikkoms misses with a low kick.
Kowalski's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nikkoms under the eye.
Nikkoms lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Nikkoms throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nikkoms lands the left hand.
Kowalski checks the leg kick.
Nikkoms misses with a few strikes there.

Nikkoms clinches with his opponent.

Kowalski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kowalski fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nikkoms sprawls well initially but Kowalski persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nikkoms manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Nikkoms is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Nikkoms is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Victor Nikkoms has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Nikkoms throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kowalski escapes and throws Nikkoms's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Nikkoms taking punishment in the form of punches.
Nikkoms tries to bench press Kowalski off him but Kowalski keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkoms looks to move to half guard but instead Kowalski has passed into mount! Damn!
Nikkoms tries to hold on but Kowalski postures up.
Kowalski controlling his opponent.
Nikkoms is squirming around, avoiding Kowalski's attempts to control the action.
Marek Kowalski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nikkoms is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor Nikkoms comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kowalski has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marek Kowalski!