PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jolly Leg Byrd (ranked 15 p4p, 4 weight class) and Volya Nikolaev (ranked 48 p4p, 14 weight class). Nikolaev comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Fever kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Leg Byrd
vs
Nikolaev

172 cm
33
154 lbs
28 - 11 - 2

170 cm
37
165 lbs
39 - 27 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160
Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jolly Leg Byrd!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 27 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Volya Nikolaev!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Byrd listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Byrd finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nikolaev feints the counter takedown.
Byrd throws a leg kick but Nikolaev checks it.
Nikolaev scores with a jab to the jaw.
Byrd throws a wild body kick that Nikolaev sees coming a mile off.
Nikolaev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Byrd sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Byrd throws a leg kick
and Nikolaev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Byrd misses with a wild body shot.

Nikolaev gets tackled into the cage by Byrd. Byrd maintains the clinch.
Byrd lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nikolaev backwards.
Byrd struggles to land a body shot inside as Nikolaev controls his hands.
Nikolaev with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Nikolaev pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nikolaev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Byrd defends well.

Nikolaev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Byrd can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Byrd controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nikolaev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Byrd looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Byrd got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nikolaev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Byrd has managed to get both his arms back between Nikolaev's legs - danger averted.
Our spies down at at St Petersburg MMA Gym inform us that Nikolaev has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Byrd stays in close to Nikolaev's body and controls the position.
Byrd continues to stall.

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.
Nikolaev wants to sweep here but Byrd controlling him for the moment.
Byrd wants to control from the top but Nikolaev keeps moving.
Byrd slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Nikolaev working for a triangle but Byrd defends it easily.
Byrd controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nikolaev lands with a good body shot.
Nikolaev cracks Byrd with a right hand to the side of the head.
Byrd displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nikolaev throws out the jab.
Byrd definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Byrd lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice uppercut lands for Byrd. That snapped Nikolaev's head back.
A good leg kick by Byrd.
Nikolaev takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Byrd staying out of range there.
Byrd throws a leg kick which misses Nikolaev's front leg but catches the back leg as Nikolaev tries to avoid it.
Nikolaev closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Jolly Leg Byrd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Byrd misses with a lunging right hand
and Nikolaev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Byrd slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Byrd misses with a hook.
Byrd lands with a good body shot.
Nikolaev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nikolaev feints the counter takedown.
Nikolaev scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nikolaev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It looked like Byrd wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nikolaev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Byrd at a distance.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nikolaev checks a leg kick.
Byrd feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Nikolaevs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nikolaev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nikolaev misses with a wild combination.
Byrd lands with a nice body kick.
Nikolaev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nikolaev misses with a looping left.
Byrd attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Byrd connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nikolaev momentarily.

Nikolaev 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.
Byrd working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Byrd lands with a shot to the body.
Nikolaev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Byrd moves away.
Byrd pushes Nikolaev away with a front kick.
Nikolaev takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nikolaev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Byrd.
Nikolaev scores with a jab to the jaw.
Byrd scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Byrd scores with a decent looking hook.
Both fighters circling a little - Byrd finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nikolaev misses with the combination.
Byrd moves out of range of the strikes.
Byrd feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Byrd misses with a wild body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Byrd will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nikolaev misses the shot to the body.
Byrd jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nikolaev misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Byrd gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Byrd misses with a wild body shot.
Byrd moves out of range as Nikolaev strikes.
Nikolaev throws a series of punches but Byrd avoids them all with ease.
Nikolaev looks to throw the jab but Byrd is out of range.
Nice shot by Byrd.
Nikolaev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Byrd pinned against the cage. Byrd gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nikolaev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Byrd sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nikolaev somewhat.
Nikolaev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Byrd. Byrd obviously looking to wear him down.
Nikolaev listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Byrd slips a straight right by Nikolaev.
Byrd swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Byrd tries to land a front kick but Nikolaev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byrd throws a wild body kick that Nikolaev sees coming a mile off.
Byrd slips a jab from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Byrd ducks under a wild hook from Nikolaev.
Byrd fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nikolaev on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikolaev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nikolaev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Byrd.

Byrd clinches up against the cage.
Byrd misses with the head strike.
Byrd tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Byrd blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nikolaev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Jolly Leg Byrd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.

Nikolaev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nikolaev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Byrd sprawls well. Byrd wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nikolaev gets slowly back to his feet.

Byrd closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev tries to pull guard but Byrd forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Nikolaev scores with a knee to the head.
Nikolaev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right hand to the body from Byrd.
Byrd's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Byrd lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nikolaev backwards.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nikolaev takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Byrd pushes Nikolaev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Byrd fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Byrd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A looping hook to the body misses from Byrd. Nikolaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Byrd lands a really nice looking cross but Nikolaev seems unphased.
Byrd slips under a jab from Nikolaev.
Byrd darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nikolaev moves away from the strike by Byrd.
And Nikolaev tries to counter it with a takedown but Byrd pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Byrd misses with a wild body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Byrd throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nikolaev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A jab from Nikolaev misses.
Byrd lands a nice shot that snaps Nikolaev's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Byrd slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nikolaev misses with a straight right.
Nikolaev jabs at Byrd's body.
Byrd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nikolaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Byrd.
Nikolaev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nikolaev shoots in but no luck this time.
Nikolaev misses with a wild body shot.
Byrd scores with a sloppy right hand. Nikolaev should have avoided that one.
Nikolaev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Byrd manages to avoid it.
Nikolaev thows a left - swing and a miss!

Byrd drives through with a takedown into Nikolaev's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Byrd stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nikolaev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nikolaev controls Byrd momentarily but Byrd frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Byrd's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nikolaev throws a hook but Byrd blocks it.
Nikolaev misses the shot to the body.
A clash of legs there as Nikolaev blocks the low kick.
Nikolaev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nikolaev misses with a hook
and Byrd counters with a nice uppercut.
Byrd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nikolaev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Byrd counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Byrd scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Byrd - that will leave a mark!
Byrd listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nikolaev scores with a nice strike.
Nikolaev thuds his right hand into Byrd's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Byrd tries to land a leg kick but Nikolaev saw it coming and moves away.
Nikolaev misses with a looping left.
Nikolaev looks to land a right hand but Byrd moved out of range.
Nikolaev throws a jab when Byrd was well out of range.
Byrd avoids the body shot from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev looks to land a left hand but Byrd moved out of range nicely.
Byrd is looking to counter punch.
Byrd dodges the punch combination from Nikolaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byrd scores with a kick to the body.
Byrd clobbers Nikolaev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nikolaev smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Byrd. Nikolaev shrugs it off though.
Nikolaev lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nikolaev.
Byrd lands an overhand right.
Byrd shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Byrd scores with a sloppy right hand. Nikolaev should have avoided that one.
Byrd cracks Nikolaev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Byrd wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Byrd throws a quick inside leg kick.
Byrd keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Byrd half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Byrd lets loose with a powerful body kick. Nikolaev will feel that in the morning.
Byrd fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nikolaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byrd cracks Nikolaev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Byrd gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Nikolaev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Byrd looks to land a body kick but Nikolaev moved away.
Byrd thuds his shin into the meat of Nikolaev's side.
Nikolaev blocks a leg kick.
Nikolaev has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Byrd throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nikolaev fails with a takedown attempt.

Nikolaev drives through with a takedown into Byrd's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Byrd trying to control the position.
Byrd is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Nikolaev wants to pass the guard but Byrd is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev is still trying to improve position.
Nikolaev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Byrd managing to control the position.
Nikolaev tries to free his leg and advance position but Byrd is retaining full guard.
Byrd is pulling down on Nikolaev's head to control his posture.
Nikolaev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Byrd keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.
Byrd has his hands on Nikolaev's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jolly Leg Byrd is winning the standup battle so far.
Nikolaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That kick from Byrd tenderised Nikolaev's leg. Nikolaev is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nikolaev goes for a double leg but Byrd avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Byrd continues to drive forward.
Jolly Leg Byrd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.
Byrd lands with a nice body punch.
Byrd throws a body punch but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Byrd throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Nikolaev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nikolaev ducks right into an uppercut from Byrd.
Byrd wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Byrd slips a straight right by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev connects with a single shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jolly Leg Byrd clearly takes that 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.

A shot to the liver by Nikolaev. Beautiful body shot.

Nikolaev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nikolaev lands in his opponent's guard.
Byrd is pulling down on Nikolaev's head. It's preventing any offense from Nikolaev, at least for the moment.
Volya Nikolaev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Byrd keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.
Byrd trying to keep a closed guard but Nikolaev is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Byrd is pulling down on Nikolaev's head to control his posture.
Byrd keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byrd seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Byrd trying to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Byrd throws a leg kick which misses Nikolaev's front leg but catches the back leg as Nikolaev tries to avoid it.
Byrd dips to his left and cracks Nikolaev with an uppercut!
Byrd keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Byrd gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Jolly Leg Byrd is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Byrd pulls Nikolaev in close to his closed guard and prevents Nikolaev from doing any damage or advancing position.
Nikolaev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byrd trying to control the position.
Nikolaev distracts Byrd with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Byrd preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Byrd keeps moving.
Nikolaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Byrd works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nikolaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nikolaev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nikolaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nikolaev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nikolaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev advances position into side control!
Nikolaev working the ground and pound.
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Nikolaev working the ground and pound but Byrd is defending the strikes.
You can see the frustration on Byrd's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Nikolaev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Byrd wants to control but Nikolaev postures up.
Nikolaev misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Nikolaev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nikolaev staying calm.
Byrd is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nikolaev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Byrd is trying to control but Nikolaev manages to pass to mount!
Nikolaev with the ground and pound from mount.

Nikolaev goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Byrd turns into him and now he's in Nikolaev's guard.
Byrd is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nikolaev working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Volya Nikolaev dominated that fourth round.
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. This is the final round!

Nikolaev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nikolaev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Byrd slips under a jab from Nikolaev.
Byrd is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Nikolaev.
Byrd takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nikolaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Byrd.
The fighters circling - Byrd throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nikolaev avoids the body shot from Byrd.
Byrd staying out of range there.
Nikolaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nikolaev throws a looping overhand right but Byrd ducks down to avoid it.
Nikolaev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Nikolaev scores with a takedown into Byrd's guard.
Byrd trying to control the position.
Byrd has Nikolaev pulled in close to control his posture.
Nikolaev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Byrd's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Byrd looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Nikolaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Byrd pulls Nikolaev in close to prevent any damage.
Nikolaev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nikolaev trying to control but Byrd is working from the bottom.
Byrd controls Nikolaev momentarily but Nikolaev frees himself.
Nikolaev is working Byrd over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Byrd seems keen to control Nikolaev's posture.
Nikolaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Byrd is trying to keep Nikolaev in close.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Nikolaev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nikolaev looks to throw the jab but Byrd is out of range.
Nikolaev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Nikolaev scores with a takedown into Byrd's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Byrd holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
More hug and hope from Byrd.
Nikolaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Nikolaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Nikolaev with a nice head shot there.
Byrd is pulling down on Nikolaev's head. It's preventing any offense from Nikolaev, at least for the moment.
Nikolaev distracts Byrd with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Nikolaev tries to free his leg and advance position but Byrd is retaining full guard.
Nikolaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Byrd is pulling down on Nikolaev's head. It's preventing any offense from Nikolaev, at least for the moment.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Byrd keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Byrd holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nice shot lands for Nikolaev.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Byrd throws a front kick aimed at Nikolaev's knee but Nikolaev avoids it well.
Byrd ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Byrd looks to land a body kick but Nikolaev moved away.
Byrd throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nikolaev on the side of the head.
Nikolaev on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Volya Nikolaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nikolaev 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:48
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Volya Nikolaev!
Volya Nikolaev is the new lightweight champion!
After the fight, Volya Nikolaev 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.