PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Casper Orion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolaj Orlow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Casper Orion could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nikolaj Orlow's chin.

Orion
vs
Orlow

185 cm
34
215 lbs
17 - 14 - 0

185 cm
29
205 lbs
20 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Casper Orion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolaj Orlow!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, William Gold and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Orion moves to clinch but Orlow breaks away
and Orlow counters with a nice low kick that buckles Orion's knee momentarily.
Orlow is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Orlow displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Orion.
Orion throws a series of punches but Orlow avoids them all with ease.
Orlow misses with a body shot.
Horrible takedown by Orlow or perhaps it was just good defense by Orion which made him look bad.

Orlow gets tackled into the cage by Orion. Orion maintains the clinch.

Orion ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Orion no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Orlow tries to free his leg and advance position but Orion is retaining full guard.
Orlow advances to half guard.
Orion looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Orlow is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Orion has managed to free his arm - good work.

Orion is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Orlow pulls his head out easily.
Orion is trying to control but can't.

Orlow is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Orion has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Orlow is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orlow trying to control from half guard but Orion is working away.
Orlow trying to mount his opponent but Orion defends it.
Orion tries to roll over but Orlow keeps him under control.

Orlow wants to work for an arm triangle but Orion is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Orion looks like he's trying to stand up.
Orlow wants to control but Orion is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orion is looking for a sweep. Orlow is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Orion trying to control but Orlow postures up.
Orlow works his way into side control.
Orlow trying to control the position but Orion is working away.
Orion manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Orlow is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Orion is trying to maintain the position but Orlow is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orlow wants to control but Orion is keeping him busy.
Orion is looking to improve his position.
Orlow tries to pass the half guard into mount. Orion knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Orion trying to control from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Orlow throws a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Orlow throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Orion counters with a left and a right that stings Orlow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Orion fails with a takedown attempt.
Orlow throws a nice head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolaj Orlow dominated that round.
That's time! Orion's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Orion misses with a takedown attempt - Orlow sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Orlow gets caught flat footed, as Orion shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Orion tries to free his leg and advance position but Orlow is retaining full guard.
Orion working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Orlow's head.
Orion trying to stand up but can't free himself from Orlow's guard.
Orion is looking to work some ground and pound but Orlow has wrist control.
Orion wants to get up but he can't break Orlow's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Orion drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Orlow dives on top into guard.
Orlow is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Orion is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orlow wants to control from the top but Orion keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Orlow wants to pass the guard but Orion is keeping the position.
Orion is trying to hold Orlow in close to prevent damage but Orlow has managed to pass into half guard.
Casper Orion overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Orion makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Orion.

Orion is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Orlow wants to control from the top but Orion keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Orlow drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Orlow jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Orlow trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Orion working a defensive guard here.

Orion working for submissions but it's allowed Orlow to get to half guard.
Orion flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orion wants to control but Orlow is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Orion pushes Orlow off looking to stand but Orlow dives back in and keeps control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Orlow wants to control but Orion is keeping him busy.
Orlow keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nikolaj Orlow was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Orion looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Orlow is fending him off so far but Orion persists. Nope, Orlow circles away and we're back to standing.
Orion takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Orion fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Orlow to the ground. Orion is now in Orlow's guard.
Orlow preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Orlow looking for a sweep. Not yet Orlow, not yet.
Orlow has Orion pulled in close to control his posture.
Orion pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Orlow is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orion wanted to stand there but Orlow had control of the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Orion looking to sit in guard and control but Orlow gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Orion thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Orlow trying to control but Orion is working from the bottom.

Orion looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Casper Orion dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A slow jab from Orlow misses its intended target.
Orion wants to clinch.
Orlow lands with an overhand left.
Orlow fakes the leg kick and cracks Orion in the body.
Orlow comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Orlow throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Orion bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Orlow throws a body punch but Orion moves out of range.
Orlow plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orion changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Orlow tries to avoid it but Orion manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Orlow to the ground. Orlow escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nikolaj Orlow seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Orlow lands a right hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Orlow looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Orlow misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Orion counters with a head kick. That will keep Orlow thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Casper Orion is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Orion throws a lazy head kick
and Orlow counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Orlow lands a leg kick that knocks Orion off balance momentarily.

Orlow gets a clinch.
Orion blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Orion is trying to break the clinch but Orlow is controlling him.
Orion stalling against the cage.
Orlow wants a takedown but no success here.
Orlow digs a right hand underneath Orion's ribcage. Orion let out a lung full of air as it connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Orlow lands with a left to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orlow misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Orlow cracks Orion with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Orion manages to break the clinch.
Orlow shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Orion will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Orlow shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Orion defends it nicely.
Orlow looks to land a left hand but Orion moved out of range nicely.
Orion shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Orlow defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Casper Orion. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Orion displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Orlow throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orion uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Orlow.
Orlow throws a body punch but Orion moves out of range.
Orion wants to clinch up but Orlow keeps it at a distance.

Orion gets tackled into the cage by Orlow. Orlow maintains the clinch.
Orion stalling against the cage.

Orlow breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Orion will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Orion bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nikolaj Orlow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Orlow lands with a shot to the body.
Orion dives in and grabs Orlow's left leg, looking for a takedown. Orlow pushes down on Orion's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orion takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Orion is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Orlow misses the target.
Orion fails to land with a series of punches.
Orlow swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Orion shoots in for a double leg but Orlow sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Orlow tries to land a front kick but Orion steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Orlow tries to land a front kick but Orion steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Orion moves away from the strike by Orlow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Orion misses with a series of wild punches.
Orion fails with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolaj Orlow comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Orlow 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolaj Orlow!
During a confident post fight interview, Nikolaj Orlow thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.