PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Rodionovich (ranked 7494 p4p, 7345 weight class) and Rammaru Nokkau (ranked 611 p4p, 604 weight class). Rodionovich comes to the cage accompanied by Svarga & Drygva - Volnitsa. Rammaru Nokkau is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Rodionovich
vs
Nokkau

185 cm
18
183
2 - 2 - 0

190 cm
18
190
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexei Rodionovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rammaru Nokkau!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Chad Campbell and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rodionovich moves into the clinch successfully.
Nokkau takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nokkau has a couple of punches blocked by Rodionovich.
Nokkau tries a knee to the head but Rodionovich blocks it.
Nokkau swings wildly with an uppercut but Rodionovich uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nokkau.
Rodionovich lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rodionovich using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nokkau has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rodionovich blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rodionovich tries to land knees in the clinch but Nokkau avoids the damage to the body.
Nokkau swings away with an uppercut that misses.
I was talking to Rodionovich's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Rodionovich manages to break the clinch.
Rodionovich throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nokkau sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rodionovich throws out a loose jab but Nokkau uses good head movement to avoid it.
A slow jab from Rodionovich misses its intended target.
Nokkau throws a fast counter high kick but Rodionovich manages to duck under it in time.
Rodionovich shoots in for a takedown but Nokkau shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rodionovich misses with a wild body shot.
Nokkau looks to score with a jab to the body but Rodionovich is just out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Rodionovich misses the target.
Nokkau tried to score with a low kick but Rodionovich checks it.

Nokkau closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nokkau.
Nokkau misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodionovich drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nokkau pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nokkau has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Nokkau misses with a combination

and Rodionovich counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nokkau swings wildly with an uppercut but Rodionovich uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rodionovich.
Rodionovich tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nokkau avoids it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rodionovich obliges.
Rodionovich landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rodionovich is breathing heavily.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rodionovich as Nokkau tries to tie him up.
Rodionovich blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nokkau misses with a punch on the inside.
Rodionovich goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nokkau prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Rodionovich. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nokkau struggles to land a body shot inside as Rodionovich controls his hands.
Rodionovich lands an elbow that stopped Nokkau in his tracks for a moment.
Nokkau blocks an elbow strike from Rodionovich.
Rodionovich prevents a body shot from Nokkau.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Nokkau, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rodionovich throws a body kick that misses.
Nokkau is looking for the big counter here.
Nokkau swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nokkau.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rodionovich checks a leg kick.
Rodionovich misses with the combination.
A slow jab from Nokkau misses its intended target.
Rodionovich avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rodionovich swinging wildly here.
Nokkau misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rodionovich.
Nokkau closes the distance and clinches up with Rodionovich, looking for a takedown. Nokkau pushes Rodionovich against the cage but Rodionovich circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rodionovich throws a sloppy head kick and Nokkau moves out of range easily.
Nokkau does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nokkau is looking to chop away at Rodionovich's legs.
Rodionovich keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodionovich tries to close the distance and clinch but Nokkau swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nokkau pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jab, jab by Rodionovich - just one landing.
Rammaru Nokkau seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodionovich misses with a hook.
Nokkau throws a low kick, looking for Rodionovich's leg but Rodionovich calmly moves out of range.
Nokkau fails to land with a series of punches.
Nokkau throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nokkau tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rodionovich was well out of range. Poor timing from Nokkau.
Rodionovich leaves Nokkau with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rodionovich circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nokkau throws a series of punches but Rodionovich avoids them all with ease.
Nokkau avoids the body shot from Rodionovich.
Nokkau moves out of range of the body kick.
Rodionovich goes for a double leg but Nokkau avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nokkau continues to drive forward.
Nokkau tries to bum rush Rodionovich with a series of wild strikes but Rodionovich uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nokkau throws a body shot but no joy.
Rodionovich throws a quick counter head kick but Nokkau was just out of range.
A punch combination from Nokkau misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nokkau attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rodionovich is looking for a counter combo.

Nokkau drives through with a takedown into Rodionovich's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodionovich being controlled here, momentarily.
Rodionovich looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodionovich, not yet.
Rodionovich is working hard here to advance position.
Nokkau postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Nokkau working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rodionovich avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nokkau controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nokkau accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rammaru Nokkau will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rodionovich pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And Nokkau tries to counter it with a takedown but Rodionovich pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Rodionovich misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Nokkau gets a double leg takedown into Rodionovich's guard.
Nokkau throws a big elbow that misses.
Rodionovich is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nokkau trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rodionovich utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Rodionovich is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nokkau is looking to work some ground and pound but Rodionovich has wrist control.
Nokkau in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodionovich utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nokkau scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nokkau throwing strikes but missing.
Nokkau with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nokkau sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nokkau throws a big right hand that misses.
Nokkau must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Nokkau showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nokkau throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodionovich works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rodionovich working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nokkau.
Rodionovich looking to control.
Rodionovich preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rodionovich looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nokkau keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rodionovich's head.
Nokkau lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rodionovich avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nokkau trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nokkau throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodionovich works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nokkau postures up in Rodionovich's guard and throws a big left but Rodionovich blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nokkau throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nokkau with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nokkau controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nokkau working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nokkau content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rodionovich has momentary wrist control but Nokkau slips an elbow through the middle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nokkau postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nokkau missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodionovich avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nokkau won't allow Rodionovich to sweep him here.
Rodionovich avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rodionovich looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nokkau has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nokkau is looking to work some ground and pound but Rodionovich has wrist control.
Nokkau works over Rodionovich with some ground and pound from guard.
Nokkau slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nokkau working the ground and pound from side control.
Rodionovich parries the strikes from Nokkau easily there. Nokkau is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Rodionovich to escape.
Nokkau tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Nokkau grinds an elbow into Rodionovich's temple.

Rodionovich is rocked!
Nokkau throws a strike aimed at the side of Rodionovich's head but Rodionovich avoids it well.
Oh Rodionovich is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nokkau in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Sloppy strikes there by Nokkau.
Nokkau misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Rodionovich seems to have got his legs back now.
Nokkau lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Rodionovich defending against the ground and pound.
The ground and pound from Nokkau seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Nokkau creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rodionovich sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Nokkau moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Sloppy strikes there by Nokkau.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nokkau controlling the position from side mount.
Nokkau misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Nokkau taking a breather here.
Nokkau tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Nokkau slows the pace down.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nokkau working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rammaru Nokkau showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rodionovich wants to clinch.
Nokkau rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodionovich moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nokkau misses with a double jab.
Nokkau misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rodionovich tries to clinch there but Nokkau circles away.
Nokkau throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nokkau waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rodionovich.
Nokkau swinging wildly here.
Rammaru Nokkau seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Rodionovich misses.
Nokkau misses with a low kick.
Rodionovich throws a quick counter kick to the body but Nokkau avoids it.
Nokkau throws a nice looking combination but Rodionovich bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
As Nokkau tries to get set, Rodionovich tries to push him back and clinch up but Nokkau manages to avoid the attempt.
Nokkau rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodionovich moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nokkau jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rodionovich closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nokkau circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodionovich avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rodionovich keeps the fight on the outside.
Rodionovich seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rodionovich swinging wildly here.
Nokkau throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rodionovich.

Nokkau takes the fight into the clinch.
Nokkau is trying to stall.
Rodionovich with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rodionovich.
Nokkau fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nokkau is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rodionovich is keeping busy.
Rodionovich pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Rodionovich successfully pulls guard.
Rodionovich is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nokkau throwing strikes from guard but Rodionovich blocks nicely.
Nokkau controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rodionovich is trying to keep Nokkau in close.
Nokkau throws a big right hand that misses.
Nokkau pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodionovich is keeping the position for now.
Nokkau works over Rodionovich with some ground and pound from guard.
Nokkau throws a big elbow that misses.
Nokkau is stalling in the full guard.
Nokkau in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nokkau trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nokkau lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nokkau is working Rodionovich over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nokkau stays in close to Rodionovich's body and controls the position.
Nokkau throwing strikes but missing.
Nokkau postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rammaru Nokkau has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nokkau postures up in Rodionovich's guard and throws a big left but Rodionovich blocks it.
Rammaru Nokkau is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nokkau sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A punch combination from Nokkau misses.
Rodionovich blocks a jab.
Nokkau throws a lazy right hand but Rodionovich sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rodionovich is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Nokkau throws the left hand but Rodionovich avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nokkau misses the jab.
Nokkau swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rodionovich counters with a one-two to the body.
Nokkau misses with a series of wild punches.
Alexei Rodionovich is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodionovich ducks under a wild hook from Nokkau.
Nokkau swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rodionovich checks the leg kick.
Rodionovich defending well as Nokkau loads up on a big left hand.
A combination from Nokkau does no damage.
Nokkau misses with a low kick.
Nokkau rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodionovich moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rodionovich avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A quick step to the side and Rodionovich tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rodionovich steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nokkau.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodionovich looks to land a body kick but Nokkau moved away.
The fighters circling - Nokkau throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Alexei Rodionovich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nokkau throws a hook but Rodionovich avoids it easily.
Nokkau throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rodionovich sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Rodionovich was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rammaru Nokkau comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nokkau 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rammaru Nokkau!
In defeat, Alexei Rodionovich stepped up to the mic, saying 'Every white has its black and every sweet its sour'.