PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Selefkos Nicator (ranked 3607 p4p, 318 weight class) and Shawn VanDam (ranked 3596 p4p, 317 weight class). Selefkos Nicator has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Nicator
vs
VanDam

165 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

150 cm
25
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

Paradigm
The Glue Factory

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Selefkos Nicator!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shawn VanDam!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nicator forces VanDam back against the cage and clinches.

Nicator pulls VanDam into guard.
Nicator not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Nicator is looking for a triangle but VanDam pushes his legs off easily.
VanDam is looking to stand up but Nicator won't let him.

Nicator has his foot on VanDam's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. VanDam works his way back into a safe position though.
Nicator definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Nicator is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. VanDam is aware though and is defending well.

Nicator is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. VanDam is aware though and is defending well.
VanDam must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
VanDam tries to stand but Nicator is controlling from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
VanDam stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nicator swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Nicator is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. VanDam is aware though and is defending well.
Nicator is trying to keep VanDam in close.
Nicator will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nicator holds on and takes a little breather.

Nicator is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. VanDam is aware though and is defending well.
VanDam slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

VanDam is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Nicator has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. VanDam is looking to defend but Nicator has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for VanDam! Nicator pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, VanDam taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Selefkos Nicator!
After the fight, Selefkos Nicator 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.