PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicky Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dean Nicholls (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Fernandez
vs
Nicholls

190 cm
29
213 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

183 cm
30
222 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nicky Fernandez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Dean Nicholls!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nicholls slips a straight right by Fernandez.
Fernandez slips under a jab from Nicholls.
Dean Nicholls seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fernandez shoots in for a takedown but Nicholls shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nicholls misses with an attempted mid kick.

Nicholls instigates a clinch.
Nicholls stops a takedown attempt from Fernandez.
Nicholls lands with a left to the head.

Fernandez has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Nicholls clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Fernandez gets his hands free as Nicholls looks to control.
Fernandez controls the action.
Nicholls tries to escape the position.

Fernandez working for the choke.
Fernandez throwing wild punches that miss their target.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fernandez throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Fernandez is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Nicholls knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Nicholls for a finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicholls rolls, trying to escape but Fernandez keeps control of the position.
Fernandez tries to get the hooks in deep but Nicholls pushed the leg off.
Nicholls manages to reverse the position and now he's in Fernandez's guard. Nice work there by Nicholls.
Nicholls is looking to work some ground and pound but Fernandez has wrist control.
Nicholls trying to control the position from guard on top but Fernandez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fernandez is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Fernandez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nicholls lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Fernandez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nicholls throwing strikes but missing.
Nicholls with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nicholls with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fernandez looking for a sweep. Not yet Fernandez, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nicholls postures up and lands a big shot to Fernandez's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicholls scoring with some ground and pound.
Nicholls throws a big elbow that misses.
Nicholls throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nicholls stopping the sweep attempt from Fernandez.

Nicholls drops back looking for a leg! Fernandez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Fernandez manages to kick Nicholls off! Nicholls jumps back into Fernandez's guard.
Fernandez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nicholls postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Fernandez throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Fernandez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nicholls is controlling him.
Nicholls throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nicholls avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nicholls preventing the sweep.
Nicholls working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fernandez is trying to control the position but Nicholls postures up.
Nicholls stopping the sweep attempt from Fernandez.
Nicholls with a nice head shot there.
Nicholls works over Fernandez with some ground and pound from guard.
Nicholls scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fernandez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nicholls throwing strikes from guard but Fernandez blocks nicely.
Fernandez working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicholls throwing strikes but missing.
Fernandez controlling Nicholls's posture.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Nicky Fernandez just wasn't active enough.
A good leg kick by Nicholls.
Nicholls delivers a nice body kick.
Fernandez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Fernandez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fernandez lands a really nice looking cross but Nicholls seems unphased.
Fernandez shoots in but Nicholls avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicky Fernandez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernandez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fernandez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nicholls wants to clinch up but Fernandez keeps it at a distance.
Nicholls is looking to score with low kicks.
Nicholls lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nicholls slips under a jab from Fernandez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Nicholls dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Fernandez lands a nice looking body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nicholls.
Fernandez thuds his right hand into Nicholls's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fernandez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nicholls slips under a jab.
Fernandez scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nicholls doesn't seem bothered though.
Nicholls slips under a jab from Fernandez.
The fighters circling - Fernandez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nicholls misses with a body kick.
Nicholls throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nicholls slaps away a takedown attempt from Fernandez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fernandez throws the left hand but Nicholls avoids the punch easily.
Nicholls thumps Fernandez with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Nicholls throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nicholls throws a shot from downtown. Fernandez moves away and avoids it.
Fernandez has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nicholls finds it's way round the side to connect with Fernandez's head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Fernandez jabs Nicholls to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nicholls throws a chopping leg kick but Fernandez manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicholls fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fernandez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fernandez takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nicholls throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nicholls with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nicholls tries to work over Fernandez's front leg with a kick but Fernandez checks it.
Dean Nicholls is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fernandez swinging wildly here.
Nicholls catches Fernandez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nicholls cracks Fernandez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nicholls throws a leg kick which misses Fernandez's front leg but catches the back leg as Fernandez tries to avoid it.
Fernandez scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nicholls tries to land a front kick but Fernandez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nicholls.
Fernandez dips to his left and cracks Nicholls with an uppercut!
Nicholls uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fernandez.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nicholls. Fernandez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fernandez misses with a two punch combination.
Good shot there by Fernandez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicholls throws a right hand that Fernandez ducks under and follows up with a left that Fernandez also avoids with ease.
A right-left combo lands from Fernandez.
Nicholls connects with a high kick.
Fernandez on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Nicholls with a hook.
Nicholls slips under a jab.
Dean Nicholls seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fernandez avoids the head kick by Nicholls.
Fernandez moves out of range of the leg kick from Nicholls.
Nicholls stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Fernandez.
Fernandez needs to keep his hands up - Nicholls had a free shot at his head there.
Fernandez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nicholls sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fernandez shoots for a takedown but Nicholls saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nicholls tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Nicholls instigates a clinch.
Nicholls lands a body shot.
Fernandez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short right from Nicholls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicholls misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nicholls prevents Fernandez from breaking the clinch.
Fernandez tries to circle away but Nicholls has him pinned against the cage.
Nicholls goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fernandez blocks an uppercut.
Nicholls lands with a short head shot on the inside.

It looks like Nicky Fernandez has been cut.
Nicholls lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fernandez backwards.
Nicholls throws a punch but it's blocked by Fernandez.
Nicholls has a couple of punches blocked by Fernandez.
Nicholls with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nicholls lands a hook that snaps the head of Fernandez backwards.
Fernandez wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicky Fernandez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernandez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nicholls walks away with a smile on his face. Fernandez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nicholls has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.

Nicholls darts in and clinches Fernandez up against the cage.
Nicholls lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicholls lands an uppercut.
Nicholls working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nicholls tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nicholls misses with the head strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nicholls throws an elbow but it misses.
Nicholls misses with some punches.
Nicholls throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fernandez.
Fernandez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nicholls presses Fernandez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Fernandez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fernandez jumps guard but Nicholls stands there with Fernandez around his waist. Fernandez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nicholls misses with a hook to the ribs.
A body shot lands from Nicholls.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Nicholls showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nicky Fernandez's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nicholls misses with a head kick.
Fernandez connects with a solid leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nicholls looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fernandez lands a jab-cross combination.
Nicholls bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nicholls ducks under a wild hook from Fernandez.
A lazy left from Nicholls finds it's target.
Nicholls cracks Fernandez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nicholls takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nice uppercut there from Nicholls.
Nicholls lands a glancing blow to the side of Fernandez's head.
Nicholls keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nicholls fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Fernandez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fernandez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nicholls.
Nicholls throws a leg kick but Fernandez moved away.
Fernandez misses with a few strikes there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fernandez tries to land a front kick but Nicholls steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicholls throws a low kick but Fernandez avoids it.
Fernandez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fernandez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nicholls throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nicholls misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Fernandez counters with a low kick, right behind Nicholls 's knee.
Nicholls misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fernandez lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fernandez dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nicholls. That did some damage!
Nicholls throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fernandez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Nicholls. That snapped Fernandez's head back.
Nicholls throws a head kick that Fernandez semi-blocks.
The fighters circling - Nicholls throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nicholls moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fernandez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fernandez takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nicholls.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nicholls feints and then cracks Fernandez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fernandez down.
Fernandez checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fernandez shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nicholls wants to improve his position but Fernandez is controlling well.
Fernandez lands strikes from half guard.
Nicholls wants to control but Fernandez is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Fernandez is trying to control the action in half guard but Nicholls is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Fernandez is thwarting Nicholls's attempts to control the position.
Fernandez is looking to take a break and control but Nicholls is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nicholls slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez trying to control the position from guard on top but Nicholls is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Fernandez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

We're going to have a standup here because Nicky Fernandez wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Fernandez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
That kick from Nicholls tenderised Fernandez's leg. Fernandez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fernandez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nicholls tries to avoid it but Fernandez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nicholls to the ground. Nicholls escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nicholls uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fernandez.
Nicholls ducks under a wild hook from Fernandez.
Nicholls uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fernandez.
Fernandez on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nicholls. Nicholls obviously looking to wear him down.
Nicholls moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Fernandez wants to land a leg kick but Nicholls is out of range.

Nicholls gets a clinch.
Nice body punch from Nicholls - that landed with a thud.
Nicky Fernandez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Fernandez blocks an elbow strike from Nicholls.
Nicholls lands a right hand.
Fernandez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nicholls gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nicholls digs a right hand underneath Fernandez's ribcage. Fernandez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nicholls just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fernandez's brow.
Fernandez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nicholls gets through Fernandez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nicholls lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fernandez backwards.
A short body shot lands from Nicholls as the two fighters clinch.
Nicholls throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fernandez blocks it with crossed arms.
Nicholls lands an elbow just above Fernandez 's eye.
Nicholls lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nicholls throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Nicholls lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fernandez backwards.
Nicholls lands a right hand.
Nicholls looking to throw knees to the head but Fernandez is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dean Nicholls comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nicholls 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dean Nicholls!
Dean Nicholls thanked the fans post fight for their support.