PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mad Rob (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Nikolaev
vs
Rob

167 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
24
170 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Nikolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mad Rob!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rob digs a good body shot into Nikolaev's ribs.
Rob lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A slow jab from Rob misses its intended target.
Nikolaev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Rob has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Rob throws an overhand right that lands on Nikolaev's shoulder, as Nikolaev tries to avoid the shot.
Nikolaev looks for the body kick but Rob saw that one coming.
Donk. Rob catches Nikolaev right on the button with a cross.
Nikolaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rob.
Nice defenses there by Nikolaev.
Rob's corner calls for a 1-2. Rob obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nikolaev checks a leg kick.
Nikolaev throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rob dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nikolaev throws a body punch but Rob moves out of range.
Nikolaev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Nikolaev looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rob wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rob bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nikolaev's guard.

Rob throwing strikes but missing.
Nikolaev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nikolaev tries to get out of the position.
Nikolaev wants to sweep but no luck.
Rob scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nikolaev is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Nikolaev wants to sweep here but Rob controlling him for the moment.
Rob is looking to work some ground and pound but Nikolaev has wrist control.
Rob with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rob makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nikolaev looking for a sweep. Not yet Nikolaev, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rob working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nikolaev has his hands on Rob's head, controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikolaev trying to keep a closed guard but Rob is proving a slippery customer.
Nikolaev pulls Rob in close to prevent any damage.
Nikolaev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rob's guard.

Rob is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Rob keeps moving.
Rob trying to control the position here.
Nikolaev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Rob keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rob trying to control the position.
Nikolaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rob works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rob utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nikolaev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nikolaev postures up in Rob's guard and throws a big left but Rob blocks it.
Rob tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nikolaev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rob is trying to keep Nikolaev in close.
Rob looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nikolaev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nikolaev stands up over Rob, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rob has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rob keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.
Nikolaev looking to pass the guard.
Nikolaev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nikolaev won't allow Rob to sweep him here.
Rob keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.
Rob working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nikolaev distracts Rob with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mad Rob will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nikolaev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rob, as that shot connected.
Nikolaev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rob to score with a decent uppercut.
Rob lands a jab to the nose.
Rob changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nikolaev goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rob connects with a right hand. Nikolaev shakes it off.
Nikolaev misses with a hook.
Rob has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rob misses with a body shot.
Nikolaev looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Nikolaev drives through with a takedown into Rob's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rob manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nikolaev manages to get himself to full guard.

Nikolaev trying to strike off his back.
Rob throwing strikes from guard but Nikolaev blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rob lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nikolaev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nikolaev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rob.
Nikolaev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rob postures up in Nikolaev's guard and throws a big left but Nikolaev blocks it.
Rob won't allow Nikolaev to get back to his feet.
Rob wants to control from the top but Nikolaev keeps moving.
Nikolaev is trying to control the position but Rob postures up.
Nikolaev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nikolaev controls Rob momentarily but Rob frees himself.
Nikolaev wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev working a defensive guard here.
Nikolaev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rob throws a big right hand that misses.
Nikolaev keeping moving, preventing Rob from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mad Rob is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nikolaev looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rob throws a body kick that misses.
Rob thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nikolaev appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Rob connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rob misses with a wild combination.
Rob misses with a body shot.
Rob scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rob takes a swing at Nikolaev's ribcage but misses.
Nikolaev feinted with a counter takedown.
Rob is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Nikolaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rob.
Rob throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nikolaev looks for the body kick but Rob saw that one coming.
Rob misses the jab.
Nikolaev checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nikolaev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mad Rob seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rob misses with an uppercut.
Nikolaev feinted with a counter takedown.
Rob has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nice straight punches there by Rob. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rob.
Nikolaev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rob.
Rob throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nikolaev moves away from the strike by Rob.
Nikolaev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rob.
Nikolaev tries to counter with a takedown but Rob is quick to defend against it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev moves out of range of the strikes.
Nikolaev misses with a looping right.
Rob misses with a hook.
Rob throws a body shot but no joy.
Nikolaev changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rob misses with a wild body shot.
Nikolaev throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nikolaev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rob sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rob is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Rob fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nikolaev manages to avoid it.
Nikolaev pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rob defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nikolaev.
Rob misses with a wild body shot.
Nikolaev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good shot there by Rob.
Nikolaev tries to land a front kick but Rob steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rob!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mad Rob showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nikolaev blocks a head kick by Rob.
Rob throws a body punch but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Rob ducks under a wild hook from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rob sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nikolaev somewhat.
Mad Rob seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rob throws a lazy uppercut

so Nikolaev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Rob keeps moving.
Nikolaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rob works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikolaev stopping the sweep attempt from Rob.
Nikolaev trying to control but Rob is working from the bottom.
Rob wants to sweep here but Nikolaev controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rob's head.
Nikolaev landing with the ground and pound.
Rob looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rob manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nikolaev manages to get himself to full guard.

Nikolaev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nikolaev keeping moving, preventing Rob from controlling successfully.
Nikolaev working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Rob puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Rob missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rob is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rob working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nikolaev trying to control here.
Nikolaev gets back to full guard.
Rob landing some decent shots from guard.
Nikolaev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rob trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikolaev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nikolaev wants to take a breather but Rob is having none of it.
Nikolaev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rob's head.
Rob is staying active underneath Nikolaev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mad Rob is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rob wants to control but Nikolaev is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nikolaev lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rob is looking to improve his position.
Rob moves into full guard.
Nikolaev slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rob takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Vladimir Nikolaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikolaev working the body and head with strikes.
Nikolaev lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Rob can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rob is looking to regain half guard here but Nikolaev keeps moving and retains side control.
Nikolaev misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Nikolaev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rob 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mad Rob!
A victorious Mad Rob thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.