PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Chau Yanhui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vike Nickolson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Yanhui
vs
Nickolson

165 cm
25
142 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

166 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Chau Yanhui!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Vike Nickolson!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Daniel Franklin and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Yanhui looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Yanhui clinches.
Yanhui misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nickolson blocks an uppercut.
Nickolson missing with knees to the body.
Yanhui tries to throw a body punch but Nickolson avoids it by throwing Yanhui back against the cage.
Nickolson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nickolson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nickolson blocks an uppercut.
Yanhui missing with knees to the body.
Nickolson wants to break free but Yanhui has control.
Yanhui gets underhooks to prevent Nickolson's takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickolson lands a body punch in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yanhui.
Yanhui lands a body punch.

Nickolson ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Nickolson no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Yanhui stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Yanhui uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nickolson.
Yanhui is looking to counter the offense by Nickolson and move into the clinch.
Nickolson swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Yanhui to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickolson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A punch combination from Nickolson misses.
Nickolson slips under a jab from Yanhui.
Yanhui slips a jab and a cross from Nickolson.
Nickolson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Yanhui seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nickolson walks into a straight right hand from Yanhui.
Nickolson misses with a wild body shot.
Nickolson shoots in for a takedown but Yanhui shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Nickolson clinches.
Nickolson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Yanhui avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Chau Yanhui has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vike Nickolson.
Nickolson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Yanhui is defending well for now.
Yanhui tries to throw a body punch but Nickolson avoids it by throwing Yanhui back against the cage.
Yanhui lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nickolson backwards.
Yanhui avoiding damage as Nickolson throws knees to the body.
Yanhui misses with a punch to the body.
Nickolson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Yanhui misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yanhui blocks an elbow strike.
Nickolson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickolson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Yanhui backwards.
Yanhui misses with some punches.
Yanhui is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nickolson is defending well for now.
Nickolson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Yanhui tries a knee to the head but Nickolson blocks it.
Yanhui blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nickolson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nickolson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Yanhui missing with knees to the body.
Nickolson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Yanhui backwards.
Nickolson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Yanhui tries to land knees in the clinch but Nickolson avoids the damage to the body.
Yanhui misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yanhui tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nickolson lands with a light punch inside.
Nickolson tries to score a body lock takedown but Yanhui shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Yanhui tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nickolson avoids it.
Nickolson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nickolson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Yanhui backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yanhui tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Yanhui tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nickolson stalls.
Yanhui stops a takedown attempt from Nickolson.
Nickolson dodges an elbow strike from Yanhui.
Nickolson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nickolson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Yanhui gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Yanhui misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nickolson.
Nickolson takes an elbow to the temple.
Nickolson has Yanhui pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Yanhui manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Yanhui misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nickolson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Yanhui misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nickolson lands with a light punch inside.
Yanhui on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nickolson gets through Yanhui's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Yanhui swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yanhui avoids a wild elbow strike from Nickolson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickolson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Yanhui is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nickolson is defending well for now.
Nickolson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Nickolson blocks an uppercut.
Yanhui using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nickolson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nickolson blocks an elbow strike.
Yanhui misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nickolson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

It looks like Chau Yanhui has been cut.
Yanhui is breathing heavily.
Nickolson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Yanhui gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nickolson prevents a body shot from Yanhui.
Nickolson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Yanhui backwards.
Yanhui tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nickolson avoids it.
Nickolson is trying to force a seperation but Yanhui has the dominant position.
Yanhui misses with a knee to the head.
Nickolson lands a right hand.
Nickolson stalling against the cage.
Nickolson blocks a body shot from Yanhui.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vike Nickolson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chau Yanhui's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Yanhui ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nickolson moves away.

Nickolson rushes Yanhui and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nickolson jumps guard but Yanhui stands there with Nickolson around his waist. Nickolson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nickolson throws an elbow that misses.
Yanhui prevents the takedown attempt.
Yanhui goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nickolson tries to land knees in the clinch but Yanhui avoids the damage to the body.
Nickolson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yanhuis head.
Yanhui misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Yanhui creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nickolson is working for takedown but Yanhui is calmly controlling the position for now.
Chau Yanhui has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vike Nickolson.
Knees to the body from Yanhui.

Nickolson jumps into guard, dragging Yanhui to the mat.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nickolson can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yanhui throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nickolson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yanhui pushing down on Nickolson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Nickolson trying to control from the bottom.
Nickolson is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yanhui moves nicely into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nickolson is looking for a sweep.

Yanhui decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Vike Nickolson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nickolson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Yanhui is looking to clinch but Nickolson is avoiding it.
Nickolson misses with a jab, cross combination.
No joy there for Nickolson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nickolson loads up on a big right hand but Yanhui slips the punch.
Chau Yanhui is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yanhui slips a jab and a cross from Nickolson.
Nickolson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Yanhui defends well and Nickolson ends up having to push Yanhui into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Yanhui seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nickolson is breathing heavily.
Nickolson keeps the fight on the outside.
Yanhui tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nickolson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nickolson throws a body punch but Yanhui moves out of range.
Nice shot by Yanhui.
Yanhui tries to clinch but Nickolson is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yanhui is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Yanhui dodges the punch combination from Nickolson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Yanhui drives through and clinches with Nickolson against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yanhui.
Yanhui misses with a body punch.
Good body shot from Yanhui.
Nickolson leaning against his opponent.
Yanhui tries a body shot but Nickolson blocks it.
Nickolson trying to land knees to the body.
Nickolson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Yanhui gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Yanhui tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Yanhui throws an elbow but it misses.
Yanhui misses with a punch on the inside.
Yanhui prevents a takedown attempt there.
Yanhui throws a punch but it's blocked by Nickolson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yanhui misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yanhui swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yanhui tries to land a knee to the head but Nickolson blocks with his arms.
Nickolson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nickolson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Yanhui is defending well for now.
Yanhui avoiding damage as Nickolson throws knees to the body.

Nickolson pulls guard.
Yanhui preventing the sweep.
Yanhui controls from within his opponent's guard.
Nickolson controlling the position.

Yanhui gets to his feet - Nickolson follows without any prompting.
Nickolson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Yanhui pinned against the cage. Yanhui gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nickolson clinches up against the cage.
Nickolson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nickolson goes for a takedown attempt but Yanhui pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nickolson misses the shot to the body.
Nickolson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Yanhui rather than just go for the knockout.
Yanhui tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nickolson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yanhui darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Nickolson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Yanhui!

Yanhui sneaks out the side door and pushes Nickolson away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nickolson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Yanhui is looking to clinch.
Nickolson misses with a combination

and Yanhui counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Yanhui.
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 Chau Yanhui will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chau Yanhui's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Yanhui throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nickolson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Yanhui slips a jab and a cross from Nickolson.
A combination from Nickolson does no damage.

Yanhui fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nickolson, pushing him back against the cage.
Yanhui misses with a punch to the body.
Nickolson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Yanhui after a bit of a struggle.
A body shot lands from Nickolson.
Nickolson missing with knees to the body.
Yanhui crunches a lovely knee into Nickolson's ribcage.
Yanhui utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Yanhui goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Vike Nickolson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yanhui works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Yanhui misses with a body punch.
Nickolson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Still in the clinch, Yanhui scores with a nice short uppercut.
Yanhui misses with a punch on the inside.
Knees to the body from Yanhui.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yanhui pushes Nickolson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yanhui working aggressively here.
Nickolson wants to take the fight to the mat but Yanhui manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Yanhui connects with a knee to the head.
Yanhui misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yanhui lands a nice shot to the body.
Yanhui tries a body shot but Nickolson blocks it.
Yanhui tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nickolson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Yanhui avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Chau Yanhui has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vike Nickolson.
Yanhui throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nickolson blocks it with crossed arms.
Yanhui throws an elbow that misses.
Nickolson lands a shoulder strike.
Nickolson jumps guard but Yanhui stands there with Nickolson around his waist. Nickolson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nickolson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Yanhui misses with a punch to the body.
Nickolson blocking some punches.
Nickolson stalling.
Nickolson blocks a body shot from Yanhui.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yanhui misses with a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Yanhui fails to land.
Nickolson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yanhui tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nickolson's elbow.
Yanhui misses with a body punch.
Nickolson working hard to break the clinch.

Nickolson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Yanhui doesn't manage to clinch there - Nickolson circles away.
Nickolson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Yanhui tries to clinch up but Nickolson circles away and keeps his distance.
Vike Nickolson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Yanhui darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nickolson throws a right hand that Yanhui ducks under and follows up with a left that Yanhui also avoids with ease.
Yanhui throws a lazy right hand but Nickolson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nickolson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nickolson throws a right and a left that Yanhui avoids nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Yanhui looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickolson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As Nickolson tries to get set, Yanhui tries to push him back and clinch up but Nickolson manages to avoid the attempt.

Nickolson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Yanhui misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yanhui tries to land knees in the clinch but Nickolson avoids the damage to the body.
Come on Nickolson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A shot in the inside from Nickolson.
Yanhui stops a takedown attempt from Nickolson.
Nickolson trying to land knees to the body.
Yanhui lands a body punch.
Nickolson tries to stall but Yanhui uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Yanhui trying to land knees to the body.
Yanhui working Nickolson over with knees to the body.
Yanhui keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nickolson's efforts to push away.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Yanhui just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nickolson's brow.
Yanhui blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Yanhui tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nickolson avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickolson trying to land knees to the body.
Yanhui lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Yanhui tries a knee to the head but Nickolson blocks it.
Nickolson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yanhui is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nickolson managing to block the knees to the body from Yanhui.
Nickolson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Yanhui is defending well for now.
Nickolson prevents a body shot from Yanhui.
Nickolson leaning against his opponent.

Nickolson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Nickolson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nickolson lands in his opponent's guard.
Yanhui looking to control.
Nickolson tries to free his leg and advance position but Yanhui is retaining full guard.
Nickolson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Chau Yanhui.
I think Yanhui 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chau Yanhui!