PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dan Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolay Nechvidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Nikolay Nechvidov enters the cage!

Jones
vs
Nechvidov

175 cm
24
167 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

173 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dan Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Nechvidov!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nechvidov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Nechvidov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Jones is trying to defend but Nechvidov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Jones is trying to control but Nechvidov manages to pass to mount!
Jones is working to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nechvidov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Jones regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones is trying to control but can't.
Jones tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Jones tries to roll over but Nechvidov keeps him under control.
Jones controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones won't allow Nechvidov to pass to mount.
Jones trying to control here.
Jones controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jones is looking to control Nechvidov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jones avoid being mounted?
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Jones misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Jones trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Nechvidov manages to pass to mount!
Nechvidov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Jones can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones tries to hold on but Nechvidov postures up.
Jones is looking to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nechvidov scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Nechvidov with good strikes from the mount here!
Nechvidov with a couple of short strikes.
Jones is in all sorts of trouble here.
Jones regains half guard.
Jones trying to hold on to Nechvidov's head to control him but Nechvidov postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones is looking to improve his position.
Nechvidov blocks the strikes from Jones.
Jones tries to roll over but Nechvidov keeps him under control.
Nechvidov is trying to control the action in half guard but Jones is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nechvidov is thwarting Jones's attempts to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nechvidov is trying to work for a kimura but Jones is defending well.
Jones tries to roll over but Nechvidov keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Nechvidov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nechvidov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jones.
Nechvidov avoids the head kick by Jones.
Nechvidov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jones goes for a double leg but Nechvidov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nechvidov continues to drive forward.
Jones throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jones looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Jones misses with an attempted mid kick.
Jones misses with a few strikes there.
Nechvidov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Jones connects with a body shot that sends Nechvidov's belly button to the back.
Jones shoots for a takedown but Nechvidov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones throws a right hand that Nechvidov ducks under and follows up with a left that Nechvidov also avoids with ease.
Jones stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jones wants it to stay on the feet.
Nechvidov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Jones avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nechvidov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dan Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolay Nechvidov.
Jones tries to bum rush Nechvidov with a series of wild strikes but Nechvidov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jones misses with a head kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nechvidov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Jones - the referee stops the clock and Nechvidov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Jones. Nechvidov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nechvidov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nechvidov is breathing heavily.
Jones goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jones misses with a series of wild punches.

Nechvidov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Jones to the mat! Jones manages to get full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Nechvidov from controlling successfully.
Nechvidov landing with the ground and pound.
Jones wants to sweep but no luck.
Jones is trying to keep Nechvidov in close.
Jones is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Nechvidov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Nechvidov stopping the sweep attempt from Jones.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nechvidov is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jones looks for a takedown but Nechvidov sprawls well.
And Nechvidov tries to counter it with a takedown but Jones pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nechvidov slaps away a takedown attempt from Jones, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jones throws a combination that misses

and Nechvidov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nechvidov.
Jones looking for a sweep. Not yet Jones, not yet.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Nechvidov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Jones throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Nechvidov escapes and throws Jones's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Jones wants to get back to his feet but Nechvidov drags him back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nechvidov swings around for an armbar but Jones sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Nechvidov's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jones accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jones throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nechvidov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jones throwing strikes but missing.
Jones trying to control but Nechvidov is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jones postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Jones dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jones darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Nechvidov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jones.

Nechvidov actively working from the bottom here.
Jones looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Jones decides to return to a standing position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Jones breaks the clinch.
Jones stuffs the takedown attempt from Nechvidov. Nechvidov gets slowly back to his feet.
Nechvidov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones has a takedown stuffed.
Jones connects with a single shot there.
Jones thumps Nechvidov with a low kick.

Nechvidov drives through and clinches with Jones against the cage.
Nechvidov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jones prevents it.

Jones breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Nechvidov moves into the clinch successfully.
Jones unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nechvidov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nechvidov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nechvidov stalling in the clinch but Jones improves position.
Jones is pushing Nechvidov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Nechvidov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jones with a jab.

Jones drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jones working some strikes from top position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nechvidov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Jones advances position into side control!

Jones has hold of Nechvidov's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Nechvidov seems comfortable defending it but Jones has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Nechvidov is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Nechvidov is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Jones couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Dan Jones!
After the fight, Dan Jones was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.