PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Damon Nickleson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Test (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Damon Nickleson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Nickleson
vs
Test

176 cm
23
145 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

170 cm
21
130 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Brute
Ganja's Warehouse

STEEL PENN'S 160 OF STEEL $50 Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Damon Nickleson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, The Test!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nickleson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Test momentarily.
Nickleson lands the left hand.
Nickleson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Test throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nickleson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Test gets a takedown into half guard.
Test stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nickleson is trying to stand up here but Test is controlling him well.
Test content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Test is trying to control. Nickleson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. The Test was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Test shoots in for a takedown but Nickleson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nickleson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Damon Nickleson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nickleson misses with a hook. Test ducked under it nicely.
Test shoots in for a double leg but Nickleson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Test moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nickleson tries to bum rush Test with a series of wild strikes but Test uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Test misses with a takedown attempt - Nickleson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Damon Nickleson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Test.
Test looks to land a right hand but Nickleson moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickleson misses with the combination.
Nickleson throws a jab but it's blocked by Test.
Nickleson's corner calls for a 1-2. Nickleson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nickleson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nickleson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like The Test has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nickleson thuds his right hand into Test's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nickleson throws a hook but Test avoids it easily.
Nickleson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Test clinches up against the cage.

Test gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Test pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nickleson is keeping the position for now.
Test postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Test showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nickleson wants to stand up but Test is controlling him.
Test landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Test content to stall in guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Test wants to control from the top but Nickleson keeps moving.
Test is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. The Test hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nickleson misses with a hook. Test ducked under it nicely.
Nickleson stuffs the takedown attempt from Test. Test gets slowly back to his feet.
Nickleson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but The Test will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on The Test's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The fight stays on the outside here - Test looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Test slips under a jab.
Nickleson fails to land with a series of punches.
Nickleson throws a hook but Test avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Test.
Nickleson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
No joy there for Test, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Test displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nickleson throws out the jab.
Damon Nickleson is winning the standup battle so far.
Nickleson looks to land a right hand but Test moved out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Test.
Nickleson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nickleson cracks a nice hook into Test's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickleson looks to land a combination but Test avoids it well.
A combination from Nickleson does no damage.
Nickleson throws a shot to the body.
Test shoots in but no luck this time.
A punch combination from Nickleson misses.
Nickleson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nickleson wants it to stay on the feet.
Damon Nickleson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Test.
Nickleson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Test.
Nickleson throws a lazy right hand but Test sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nickleson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Test counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Test is trying to stall.
Nickleson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nickleson breaks from the clinch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nickleson checks a leg kick.
Nickleson keeps the fight on the outside.
Test shoots for a double leg takedown but Nickleson sprawls well. He's pushed Test's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A big right from Nickleson misses.
Test connects with a body shot that sends Nickleson's belly button to the back.
Test is looking to clinch but Nickleson is avoiding it.
Test gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nickleson counters with a right hand to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Test gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nickleson.
Test throws a looping overhand right but Nickleson ducks down to avoid it.
Nickleson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Test doesn't seem bothered though.
Nickleson takes a swing at Test's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickleson thows a body shot but no joy.
Nickleson cracks Test with a good jab.
Nickleson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nickleson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Test takes one to the chin there.
Nickleson lands with a hook. Test tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Test shoots in and drives through. Nickleson sprawls well.
Good shot there by Nickleson.
Test avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nickleson looks to score with a jab to the body but Test is just out of range.
Test fails with a takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nickleson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Test.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickleson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Test tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd cheers as Test lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nickleson doesn't seem phased though.
Nickleson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A punch lands to the side of Test 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Test fails with a takedown attempt.
Damon Nickleson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nickleson throws a hook to the side of Test's head but Test sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Test shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nickleson defends it nicely.
Nickleson throws a sloppy body shot

and Test counters by clinching up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damon Nickleson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on The Test's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nickleson throws a big shot that misses.
Test shoots in but Nickleson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
No joy there for Nickleson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Test shoots in for a takedown but Nickleson shows good takedown defense.
Nickleson scores with a hook to the body. Test takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nickleson misses with a series of wild punches.
Test shoots in for a takedown but Nickleson shows good takedown defense.
Damon Nickleson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Test.
Nickleson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Test in his tracks.
A big right from Nickleson misses.
Sloppy strikes from Nickleson. Those never looked like landing.
Test slips under a jab from Nickleson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickleson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nickleson tries to bum rush Test with a series of wild strikes but Test uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Test shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nickleson sprawls well. Nickleson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Test gets slowly back to his feet.
Nickleson lands a two punch combo.
A telegraphed right hand from Nickleson misses the target.
Test tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nickleson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Test.

Test drives through with a takedown into guard.
Test passes Nickleson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Test content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nickleson is looking to escape.
Test is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by The Test.

Test closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nickleson quickly recovers to half guard.
Test seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nickleson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nickleson wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nickleson is not content to let Test control the position.

The Test has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Nickleson throws a series of punches but Test avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickleson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nickleson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sloppy strikes from Nickleson. Those never looked like landing.

Test looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Nickleson!

Nickleson bucks up and throws Test to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Test tries to clinch but Nickleson moves away
and Nickleson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Test fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nickleson throws a lazy right hand but Test sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Test showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nickleson.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to The Test.
I think Test 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... The Test!