PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between William Henry Bonney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Volya Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolaev has chosen Fever as his entrance music. William Henry Bonney could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Volya Nikolaev's chin.

Henry Bonney
vs
Nikolaev

173 cm
28
164 lbs
15 - 8 - 1

170 cm
30
165 lbs
23 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Invictus

Bos Energy MMA159.4

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 15 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, William Henry Bonney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 17 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Volya Nikolaev!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bonney displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Nikolaev lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Nikolaev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bonney works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Nikolaev gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Bonney kicks Nikolaev off and gets back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikolaev swings widly with a right hand
and Bonney counters with a three punch combo that has Nikolaev backing up. Nikolaev nods at Bonney to acknowledge the strikes.

Nikolaev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Bonney on his heels. He'll look to pass Bonney's guard now, I'm sure.
Bonney looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nikolaev is one step ahead there.
Nikolaev won't allow Bonney to get back to his feet.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Nikolaev working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Nikolaev won't allow Bonney to sweep him here.

Bonney scrambles and gets back to his feet.
A swing and a miss from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bonney tries to avoid it but Nikolaev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bonney to the ground. Bonney escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bonney keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev cracks Bonney with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Bonney swats away the attempt to clinch by Nikolaev.
It looked like Bonney was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nikolaev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bonney tries to avoid it but Nikolaev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bonney to the ground. Bonney escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Nikolaev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Bonney on his heels. He'll look to pass Bonney's guard now, I'm sure.
Nikolaev scoring with some ground and pound.
Bonney lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bonney is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Bonney stopping the sweep attempt from Nikolaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaev looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Bonney has picked Nikolaev up and slammed him! Nikolaev can't keep hold of the triangle and Bonney manages to pass to side control!
You can see the frustration on Nikolaev's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Nikolaev isn't going anywhere.
Bonney working away.

Bonney decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Nikolaev uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev throws an overhand right that lands on Bonney's shoulder, as Bonney tries to avoid the shot.
Bonney on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nikolaev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nikolaev scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bonney slips a jab from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev misses with a left hand
and Bonney counters with a good, hard body kick but Nikolaev shrugs it off.
Nikolaev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bonney defends it nicely.
Bonney wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
William Henry Bonney has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.
Bonney ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
No luck for Nikolaev with that takedown attempt.
Bonney feinted there with a counter leg kick.
William Henry Bonney is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev dives in and grabs Bonney's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bonney pushes down on Nikolaev's head and hops out.
Bonney went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bonney moves out of range of the strikes.

Nikolaev fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Bonney to the ground. Nikolaev is now in Bonney's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bonney working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev works over Bonney with some ground and pound from guard.
Bonney is controlling Nikolaev's posture.
Bonney wants to stand up but Nikolaev is controlling him.
Nikolaev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Nikolaev preventing the sweep.
Bonney has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Nikolaev has passed into side control.
Nikolaev is working Bonney over with some ground and pound from side control.
Nikolaev landing a few strikes.
Nikolaev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bonney taking a bit of punishment here - Nikolaev scoring with strikes.
Bonney can't do much from the bottom here.
Bonney gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Volya Nikolaev will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A left and a right from Nikolaev both land. Nice combination.
Bonney drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nikolaev has a takedown stuffed.
Nikolaev just misses with a punch to the body.

Nikolaev pushes Bonney up against the cage in a clinch.

Nikolaev has clasped his hands together around Bonney's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Bonney wants to control but Nikolaev postures up.

Nikolaev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bonney, who protects the arm well.
Bonney is looking to reverse the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikolaev creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Bonney sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Nikolaev working the ground and pound but Bonney is defending the strikes.
Volya Nikolaev has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonney is looking for a sweep.

Nikolaev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bonney, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Bonney's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bonney is looking for a sweep.
Nikolaev cracks Bonney with a big elbow.
Bonney defending against the ground and pound.
Nikolaev trying to control the action but Bonney is working from the bottom.
Bonney is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Nikolaev cracks Bonney with a big right hand but Bonney just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Nikolaev seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Bonney is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Nikolaev asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Nikolaev cracks Bonney with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Bonney is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Nikolaev off and has taken his back!
Nikolaev tries to escape but Bonney has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Nikolaev wants to control his opponent's hands but Bonney gets his hands free.
You can see the frustration on Nikolaev's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikolaev is keeping busy.
Nikolaev trying to control the hands but Bonney won't let him.
Nikolaev is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Bonney is staying active.
Nikolaev is keeping busy.
Nikolaev trying to control the hands but Bonney breaks the grip.

That's four 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.
Nikolaev rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Nikolaev wants to improve his position but Bonney is controlling well.
Nikolaev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bonney is working away from the top position though.
Nikolaev has a hand on Bonney's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Bonney takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nikolaev really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Nikolaev has given up his back here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Volya Nikolaev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Nikolaev misses with a right hand

and Bonney counters by clinching up.
Bonney tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nikolaev tries to score a body lock takedown but Bonney shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bonney struggles to land a body shot inside as Nikolaev controls his hands.
Bonney is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nikolaev is defending well for now.
Bonney lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Bonney tries to throw a body punch but Nikolaev avoids it by throwing Bonney back against the cage.
Bonney working aggressively here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nikolaev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nikolaev tries to pull guard but Bonney forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bonney has a couple of punches blocked by Nikolaev.
Bonney misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bonney tries to work over Nikolaev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bonney lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nikolaev backwards.

Nikolaev gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonney is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nikolaev scores with a couple of nice shots.
Bonney blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev is trying to control the action in half guard but Bonney is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bonney controlling the position for now.
Nikolaev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bonney's head.
Bonney trying to control from the bottom.
Bonney is trying to control but Nikolaev manages to pass to mount!
Nikolaev lands a heavy elbow.
Bonney takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Bonney really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bonney regains half guard.
Nikolaev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bonney with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonney wants to control but Nikolaev is keeping busy.
Nikolaev performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
William Henry Bonney has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bonney pushes Nikolaev off looking to stand but Nikolaev dives back in and keeps control.
Nikolaev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bonney wants to improve his position but Nikolaev is controlling well.

Nikolaev wants to work for an arm triangle but Bonney is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nikolaev thows a huge punch but Bonney dodges it nicely.
Bonney gets back to full guard.
Nikolaev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bonney is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nikolaev distracts Bonney with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonney looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nikolaev is one step ahead there.
Nikolaev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bonney pulls Nikolaev in close to his closed guard and prevents Nikolaev from doing any damage or advancing position.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Bonney keeps moving.
Bonney wants to control the position but Nikolaev says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Nikolaev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bonney is trying to stand up here but Nikolaev is controlling him well.
Bonney taking some punishment here, with Nikolaev in his half guard.
Bonney keeping hold of Nikolaev's head, controlling as best he can.
Bonney taking some punishment here, with Nikolaev in his half guard.
Volya Nikolaev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev prevents Bonney from improving his position.
Nikolaev wants to control but Bonney is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bonney keeping hold of Nikolaev's head, controlling as best he can.
Bonney has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nikolaev is working away from the top position though.
Bonney is trying to get back to full guard.
Nikolaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bonney keeps working.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bonney missing with punches from the bottom.
Nikolaev drops an elbow to the side of Bonney's head.
Bonney missing with punches from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Volya Nikolaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nikolaev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Volya Nikolaev!
Our winner, Volya Nikolaev, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.