PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alexandr Nikitin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abraham Donowitz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Donowitz comes into a darkened arena with his song building. JEW FLOW kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Abraham Donowitz has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Nikitin
vs
Donowitz

170 cm
23
145 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

171 cm
24
145 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Conquer
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexandr Nikitin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Abraham Donowitz!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikitin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Donowitz's waist but Donowitz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nikitin off to one side.
Nikitin has been working on his balance at Sun Ra and his Arkestra's training camp, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Donowitz.
Nikitin has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Donowitz.
Abraham Donowitz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Donowitz lands a glancing blow to the side of Nikitin's head.
Donowitz connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nikitin momentarily.
Donowitz is looking to land body kicks.
Donowitz digs a good body shot into Nikitin's ribs.
Donowitz lands a nice looking body shot.
Donowitz's corner calls for a 1-2. Donowitz obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Donowitz thuds his shin into the meat of Nikitin's side.
Nice shot by Donowitz.
Nikitin avoids the head kick by Donowitz.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Donowitz lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Donowitz wants to land a leg kick but Nikitin is out of range.
Nikitin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nikitin drops down looking for a counter takedown but Donowitz sprawls and moves away.
Donowitz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Donowitz wants it to stay on the feet.
Nikitin wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikitin avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Donowitz throws a hook to the side of Nikitin's head but Nikitin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Donowitz connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nikitin's hands.
Donowitz throws a leg kick

and Nikitin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikitin trying to control the position from guard on top but Donowitz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nikitin looking to pass the guard.
Nikitin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nikitin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Donowitz wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Nikitin tries to free his leg and advance position but Donowitz is retaining full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Donowitz throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Donowitz swings for the body but Nikitin moves out of range.
Donowitz connects with a body shot that sends Nikitin's belly button to the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Donowitz as Nikitin shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandr Nikitin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Donowitz connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nikitin's hands.
Donowitz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Donowitz thuds his right hand into Nikitin's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nikitin on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Donowitz is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Nikitin had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Nikitin needs to keep his hands up - Donowitz had a free shot at his head there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nikitin checks a leg kick.
Nikitin with a poor takedown

and Donowitz counters by clinching up.
Donowitz misses with a punch to the body.
Nikitin avoiding damage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Donowitz throws an elbow but misses.
Nikitin is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Donowitz is defending well.
Donowitz avoiding damage as Nikitin throws knees to the body.
Donowitz has a couple of punches blocked by Nikitin.
Donowitz misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the 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!
Donowitz lands an elbow that stopped Nikitin in his tracks for a moment.
Nikitin looking to slow down the pace here.
Donowitz working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nikitin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Donowitz misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from Donowitz.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Donowitz.
Donowitz lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nikitin backwards.
Donowitz stops a takedown attempt from Nikitin.
Nikitin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Donowitz smiles and moves away.
A jab lands there for Donowitz.
Donowitz connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nikitin momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abraham Donowitz dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Donowitz stuffs the takedown.
Donowitz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nikitin.
Abraham Donowitz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Donowitz digs a good hook to Nikitin's body.
Donowitz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nikitin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A shot to the liver by Donowitz. Beautiful body shot.
Nikitin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Donowitz scores with a sloppy right hand. Nikitin should have avoided that one.
Donowitz misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikitin fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandr Nikitin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice jab there from Donowitz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donowitz displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Donowitz lands with a nice body punch.
Donowitz lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nikitin drops his hands momentarily and Donowitz takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Donowitz throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nikitin tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Donowitz dips to his left and cracks Nikitin with an uppercut!
Nikitin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Donowitz's waist but Donowitz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nikitin off to one side.
Donowitz tests Nikitin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Donowitz lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Nikitin on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A cross from Donowitz lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz misses with a double jab.
Donowitz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nikitin.
Donowitz with a jab.
A punch lands to the side of Nikitin 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Donowitz misses the shot to the body.
Donowitz lands a jab to Nikitin's midsection.
Donowitz looks to land a body kick but Nikitin moved away.
Nikitin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nikitin looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nikitin has a takedown stuffed.
Donowitz throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nikitin shoots in for a takedown but Donowitz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nikitin takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nikitin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Abraham Donowitz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nikitin takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice takedown defense from Donowitz. No joy for Nikitin on that attempt.
Donowitz lands a slapping body shot.
Donowitz scores with a leg kick.
Nikitin walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Donowitz moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Donowitz lands an overhand right.
Nikitin takes one to the chin there.
Nikitin will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Donowitz scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Donowitz connects with a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Donowitz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nikitin.
Donowitz scores with the left hand. Nikitin knows he should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Donowitz does it's job there.
Donowitz looks to land a combination. Nikitin sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A lazy left from Donowitz finds it's target.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Donowitz.
A good leg kick by Donowitz.
Nikitin takes one to the side of the head.
Donowitz looks to land a combination. Nikitin sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nikitin walks into a left hand.
Donowitz darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nikitin needs to keep his hands up - Donowitz had a free shot at his head there.
Nikitin looks for a takedown but Donowitz sprawls well.
Donowitz wants to counter the offense by Nikitin and move into the clinch position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice leg kick lands there from Donowitz.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abraham Donowitz 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.

Donowitz lands with a good body shot.
Nikitin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Donowitz sprawls well. Donowitz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nikitin gets slowly back to his feet.
Donowitz scores with a decent looking hook.
Donowitz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nikitin manages to avoid it.
Nikitin goes for a double leg but Donowitz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Donowitz continues to drive forward.
Donowitz lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Donowitz. No joy for Nikitin on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandr Nikitin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikitin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Donowitz can pounce on him.
Nice sprawl there from Donowitz as Nikitin shoots in.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A jab lands there for Donowitz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donowitz lands a jab.
Nikitin takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nikitin dives in for a single leg takedown but Donowitz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Donowitz scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Donowitz throws out a powerful jab.
Donowitz getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Donowitz scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Donowitz connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nikitin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Donowitz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Donowitz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Donowitz lands a nice hook to Nikitin's body. Nikitin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nikitin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Donowitz defends well and Nikitin ends up having to push Donowitz into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nikitin walks into a straight right hand from Donowitz.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donowitz scores with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz lands a jab-cross combination.
Nice shot lands for Donowitz.
Donowitz lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Nikitin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Donowitz, pushing him back against the cage.
Donowitz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Donowitz trying to land knees to the body.
Donowitz struggles to land a body shot inside as Nikitin controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Donowitz - that landed with a thud.
Nikitin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nikitin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Donowitz lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nikitin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Donowitz tries to work over Nikitin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Donowitz lands a nice elbow.
Abraham Donowitz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nikitin tries to land knees in the clinch but Donowitz avoids the damage to the body.
Donowitz lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Donowitz creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nikitin's defenses.
Donowitz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nikitin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Donowitz throws an elbow that misses.

Nikitin gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Donowitz is pressing down on Nikitin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Donowitz is trying to keep Nikitin in close.
Nikitin trying to control the position from guard on top but Donowitz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Donowitz is looking for a triangle here but Nikitin uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Donowitz is trying to improve his position.
Donowitz manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikitin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Donowitz's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Donowitz's back!
Nikitin is hanging on to Donowitz's back as he tries to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abraham Donowitz really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Donowitz goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nice sprawl there from Donowitz as Nikitin shoots in.
Nikitin is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Donowitz lands a jab to Nikitin's midsection.
Nikitin dives in for a single leg takedown but Donowitz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Donowitz fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nikitin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nikitin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Good standup being displayed there by Donowitz as he connects with a hook.
Donowitz punishes Nikitin's body with a nice straight punch.
Donowitz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Donowitz throws a combination. Nikitin tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikitin tries to clinch there but Donowitz circles away.
Nikitin takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Donowitz buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Donowitz with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nikitin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Nikitin showed some decent athleticism there.
Donowitz keeping hold of Nikitin's head, controlling as best he can.
Nikitin wants to control but Donowitz is keeping him busy.
Donowitz trying to hold on to Nikitin's head to control him but Nikitin postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin wants to take a breather but Donowitz is having none of it.
Donowitz moves into full guard.
Donowitz trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikitin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nikitin drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandr Nikitin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikitin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice shot by Donowitz.
Donowitz misses with a straight right.
Nikitin shoots in for a double leg but Donowitz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Donowitz fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nikitin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Donowitz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Donowitz punishes Nikitin's body with a nice straight punch.
Nikitin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Donowitz.
Donowitz throws a series of strikes that have Nikitin backpedaling.
Nikitin doesn't manage to clinch there - Donowitz circles away.
Nikitin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

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

Nikitin drives through with a takedown into guard.
Nikitin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Our spies down at at Convicted - Redemption inform us that Donowitz has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Donowitz looking to control.
Nikitin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nikitin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Nikitin is looking to work some ground and pound but Donowitz has wrist control.
Donowitz seems keen to control Nikitin's posture.
Donowitz is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abraham Donowitz dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nikitin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Donowitz as he avoids it easily.
A nice side step and Donowitz releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Nikitin has a takedown stuffed.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nikitin is defended easily by Donowitz.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandr Nikitin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Donowitz misses with a double jab.
Donowitz throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Donowitz throws a combination that misses

and Nikitin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikitin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Donowitz defending well though.
Nikitin frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Nikitin is stalling here but it's allowed Donowitz to get half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikitin wants to take a breather but Donowitz is having none of it.
Donowitz is controlling Nikitin's trapped leg to prevent Nikitin from advancing to side control.
Nikitin is keen to just control but Donowitz is a slippery customer.
Nikitin is looking to advance position but Donowitz won't allow it.
Donowitz is refusing to be controlled, as Nikitin sits in half guard.
Donowitz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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.
Nikitin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Donowitz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Donowitz is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Nikitin jumps into side control!
Donowitz sneaks back into half guard.
Nikitin wants to take a breather but Donowitz is having none of it.
Alexandr Nikitin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikitin throwing shots but Donowitz is blocking nicely.
Donowitz is trying is best to control the position here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Nikitin working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz wants to get back to full guard but Nikitin has mounted him!
Donowitz is squirming around, avoiding Nikitin's attempts to control the action.
Donowitz tries to hold on but Nikitin postures up.
Nikitin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nikitin working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Nikitin lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Nikitin trying to control but Donowitz is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin throwing strikes but Donowitz recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Donowitz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nikitin.
Nikitin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nikitin landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nikitin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nikitin throws a strike but Donowitz avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Nikitin stands up over Donowitz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexandr Nikitin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Donowitz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 45:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abraham Donowitz! Abraham Donowitz retains his featherweight title!
Post fight, Abraham Donowitz took to the microphone: 'After another dominant victory in the name of Jewsus, I'm taking some time off.'.