PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Charles Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vike Nickolson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Smith
vs
Nickolson

162 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

166 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Charles Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Vike Nickolson!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nickolson avoids the head kick by Smith.

Nickolson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Smith misses with a body punch.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Nickolson clinches up with Smith and pushes him back against the cage.
Nickolson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smith.
Nickolson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nickolson is working Smith over against the cage.
Nickolson slows down the pace here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Nickolson.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Nickolson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Nickolson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Smith 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.
Nickolson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nickolson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith working a defensive guard here.
Nickolson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickolson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nickolson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Smith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Smith throws a leg kick but Nickolson moved away.

Nickolson clinches.
Nickolson is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickolson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.

Nickolson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Smith, pushing him back against the cage.
Smith is pressed up against the cage. Nickolson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smith down to the mat. Smith avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Charles Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vike Nickolson.

Nickolson takes the fight into the clinch.
Smith gets underhooks to prevent Nickolson's takedown attempt.
Nickolson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nickolson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.
Nickolson misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
Smith is breathing heavily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
Nickolson digs a right hand into Smith's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Smith's gas tank.

Nickolson breaks from the clinch.
Nickolson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nickolson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith is looking to counter punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith throws a one two combo.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Nickolson on that attempt.

Nickolson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Smith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vike Nickolson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Smith lands a nice shot that snaps Nickolson's head back.
Nickolson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nickolson shoots in but no luck this time.
Smith lands with a kick to the temple. Nickolson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Nickolson gets caught napping as Smith dives in and scores a takedown. Nickolson manages to retain guard.
Nickolson wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Smith manages to pass to side control.

Smith is trying to control. Nickolson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nickolson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nickolson is trying to stand up here but Smith is controlling him well.
Smith prevents Nickolson from improving his position.

Nickolson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Charles Smith is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickolson has a takedown stuffed.
Smith seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Smith lands a head kick. Nickolson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Nickolson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nice body punch from Nickolson - that landed with a thud.

Smith is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Nickolson can't fight it off and eventually Smith manages to take the fight to the floor. Nickolson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Nickolson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nickolson wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nickolson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Vike Nickolson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nickolson has his hands on Smith's head, controlling the position.
Nickolson 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.
Smith prevents Nickolson from getting back to his feet.

Nickolson wriggles free and stands up.

Smith tries to keep at a distance but Nickolson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nickolson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Charles Smith has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickolson lands an uppercut.
Nickolson lands a nice uppercut.
Nickolson slowing the pace effectively.
Vike Nickolson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Nickolson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nickolson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Nickolson moves into the clinch.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Nickolson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Smith sprawls well initially but Nickolson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Nickolson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Nickolson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nickolson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Nickolson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Nickolson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nickolson working Smith over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vike Nickolson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Charles Smith's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nickolson rushes Smith and presses him up against the cage.
Nickolson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nickolson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Nickolson gets control of Smith's arms and successfully pulls guard. Nickolson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Nickolson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Nickolson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nickolson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickolson wants to pass the guard but Smith is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickolson not doing much here.
Nickolson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nickolson.
Vike Nickolson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nickolson is continuing to stall.
Nickolson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nickolson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Nickolson rushes Smith and presses him up against the cage.
Nickolson is working Smith over against the cage.

Nickolson breaks from the clinch.
Nickolson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smith sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nickolson somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nickolson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Smith blocks an elbow strike.
Smith is looking to control Nickolson's arms but Nickolson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Smith has his back to the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nickolson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Nickolson.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nickolson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nickolson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nickolson throws an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vike Nickolson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nickolson 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 26:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 26:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vike Nickolson!