PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Darjus Nikolaichev (ranked 4536 p4p, 4471 weight class) and Carwyn Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 517 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.

Nikolaichev
vs
Roberts

180 cm
25
160
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
170
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

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, Darjus Nikolaichev!
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, Carwyn Roberts!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nikolaichev instigates a clinch.
Nikolaichev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nikolaichev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Roberts to keep the fight standing.
Nikolaichev tries to pull guard but Roberts won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darjus Nikolaichev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikolaichev tries to pull guard but Roberts forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Roberts swings wildly with an uppercut but Nikolaichev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikolaichev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Roberts to keep the fight standing.
Nikolaichev fails to pull guard.
Roberts slowing the pace effectively.
Roberts swings wildly with an uppercut but Nikolaichev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikolaichev tries to pull guard but Roberts won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nikolaichev pulls guard.
Roberts sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Roberts throws an elbow that misses. Nikolaichev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Roberts's guard. Nice move by Nikolaichev!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Roberts can do anything to dispel that myth.
Nikolaichev stopping the sweep attempt from Roberts.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Roberts holds on and takes a little breather.
Roberts tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Roberts keeping moving, preventing Nikolaichev from controlling successfully.
Nikolaichev is stalling in the full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Roberts looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Nikolaichev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Roberts misses the target.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nikolaichev.
Nikolaichev slips a jab from Roberts.
Nikolaichev goes for a double leg but Roberts avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Roberts continues to drive forward.
Nikolaichev is trying to pull guard but Roberts turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Roberts tries to throw a body punch but Nikolaichev avoids it by throwing Roberts back against the cage.
Roberts looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nikolaichev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Roberts prevents it.
A bit of stalling here from Roberts.
Roberts taking a breather.

Roberts pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nikolaichev tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaichev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Roberts paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nikolaichev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Roberts as he avoids it easily.

Roberts tries to keep at a distance but Nikolaichev has taken the fight into the clinch.

Nikolaichev drags the fight down to the ground.
Roberts pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nikolaichev is keeping the position for now.

Roberts has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Nikolaichev to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Roberts is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Nikolaichev pulls down on the head and he's put Roberts to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Darjus Nikolaichev!