PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Gavin (ranked 4850 p4p, 4800 weight class) and Emil Nikolov (ranked 536 p4p, 533 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gavin
vs
Nikolov

186 cm
25
166
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
157
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight 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, Jimmy Gavin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Emil Nikolov!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Winston Alpacca and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gavin tries to move into range but Nikolov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nikolov digs a good hook to Gavin's body.
Gavin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nikolov throws a jab when Gavin was well out of range.
Gavin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Nikolov defends well and Gavin ends up having to push Nikolov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nikolov.
Nikolov trying to stall but Gavin improves his position.
A short body shot lands from Nikolov as the two fighters clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gavin as Nikolov tries to tie him up.
Nikolov is looking to control Gavin's arms but Gavin gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nikolov has his back to the cage.
Nikolov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikolov can't find room to land a body shot as Gavin controls the action.
Nikolov avoiding damage as Gavin throws knees to the body.
Nikolov misses with the head strike.
Gavin tries to pull guard but Nikolov holds him up against the cage and eventually Gavin drops back down to his feet.
Nikolov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolov is looking to control Gavin's arms but Gavin gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nikolov has his back to the cage.
Good body shot from Nikolov.
Gavin misses with a punch to the body.
Nikolov tries to work over Gavin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gavin tries to pull guard but Nikolov won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jimmy Gavin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nikolov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gavin jumps guard but Nikolov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Gavin jumps guard but Nikolov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Nikolov effectively controlling the action here.
Nikolov tries a body shot but Gavin blocks it.
Nikolov gets underhooks to prevent Gavin's takedown attempt.
Nikolov slows down the pace here.
Nikolov looking to slow down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gavin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nikolov is looking to control Gavin's arms but Gavin gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nikolov has his back to the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Emil Nikolov.
Nikolov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gavin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikolov.
Gavin shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gavin tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Nikolov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gavin doesn't manage to clinch there - Nikolov circles away.
A countering left hand to the body from Nikolov misses.
Gavin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nikolov sprawls well. Nikolov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gavin gets slowly back to his feet.
Gavin fails with the takedown
and Nikolov counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolov misses with a few strikes there.
Gavin takes one to the chin there.
Nikolov sizes up Gavin with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gavin wants to clinch.
Gavin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nikolov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gavin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nikolov just misses with a punch to the body.
Emil Nikolov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gavin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A shot to the liver by Nikolov. Beautiful body shot.
Gavin is breathing heavily.
Gavin gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nikolov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gavin fails with the takedown
and Nikolov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gavin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nikolov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gavin rather than just go for the knockout.
Gavin shoots in looking for a takedown but Nikolov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gavin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nikolov cracks Gavin with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nikolov sizes up Gavin with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

It looks like Jimmy Gavin has been cut.
Gavin takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Gavin is rocked!
Nikolov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Oh Gavin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nikolov lands a nice hook to Gavin's body. Gavin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gavin seems to have got his legs back now.
Gavin slips a jab and a cross from Nikolov.
Gavin takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Gavin takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nikolov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nikolov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Nikolov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nikolov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gavin finds himself stumbling back on wobbly legs after being clipped by a right hand. He's up against the cage, ducking and weaving under Nikolov's strikes but an uppercut finds it's way through and Gavin falls! - He's completely out of it and the ref jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Emil Nikolov!