PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Starker (ranked 1497 p4p, 842 weight class) and Jimmy Nickels (ranked 66 p4p, 16 weight class). Starker comes into the arena with Catrin O'Neill - Ar Lan Y Mor blaring out of the sound system. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Starker
vs
Nickels

190 cm
43
265
23 - 18 - 0

190 cm
33
245
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Kore Fight Nutrition

Core Combat
Altitude Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 18 - 0, fighting out of New York, Paul Starker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jimmy Nickels!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nickels lands with an overhand left.

Starker moves into the clinch successfully.
A shot in the inside from Starker.
Starker lands with a light punch inside.
Nickels lands a nice elbow.
Nickels fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Starker throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nickels working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Starker pushes off an throws an elbow but Nickels leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nickels comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Paul Starker has been cut.
Starker lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Jimmy Nickels has been cut.
Starker lands a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Starker takes an elbow to the forehead.
Starker creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nickels pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A short left from Nickels.
Nickels avoids a wild elbow strike from Starker.
Starker dodges an elbow strike from Nickels.
Starker creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nickels creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Starker throws an elbow that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nickels.
Starker pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nickels gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nickels.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starker throws an elbow that misses.
Starker throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nickels blocks an elbow strike.
Nickels lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Starker comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Starker blocks an elbow strike.
Nickels lands a damaging elbow.
Nickels misses with the head strike.
Starker looks to throw an elbow but misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nickels.
Nickels drops down looking for an ankle pick but Starker pulls his leg out and moves away.

Starker moves into range and clinches up with Nickels.
Nickels goes for a takedown in the clinch but Starker prevents it.
Nickels looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nickels blocks an uppercut.
Starker throws an elbow but it misses.
Starker misses with an elbow over the top.
Starker takes an elbow to the temple.
Nice elbow from Nickels.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nickels scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nickels lands a left hand.
Nickels lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Paul Starker's cut is getting worse.
Starker pushes off an throws an elbow but Nickels leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Starker blocks an uppercut.
Nickels lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nickels creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Starker's defenses.
Nickels lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nickels lands an elbow that stopped Starker in his tracks for a moment.
Nickels blocks an elbow strike from Starker.
Nickels lands with a light punch inside.
Nickels lands an elbow inside.
Starker pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Starker lands a hook to the side of the head.
Starker lands a damaging elbow.
Nickels lands a right hand that snaps the head of Starker backwards.
Starker pushes off an throws an elbow but Nickels leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nickels working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nickels.
Starker gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That has opened up Jimmy Nickels's cut even more.
Starker creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nickels lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickels throws an elbow that misses.
Nickels lands a left hand that snaps the head of Starker backwards.
Nickels working aggressively here.
Nickels dodges an elbow strike from Starker.
Starker throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nickelss head.
Nickels misses with an elbow over the top.
Starker avoids the elbow strike from Nickels, against the cage.
Starker prevents the takedown attempt.
Paul Starker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Nickels.
Starker avoids the elbow strike from Nickels, against the cage.
Starker throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nickels dodges an elbow strike from Starker.
Starker throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Starker throws an elbow but it misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Starker throws an elbow but misses.
Starker looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nickels throws an elbow but it misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Starker just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nickels's brow.
Starker pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nickels lands a hook that snaps the head of Starker backwards.
Starker misses with an elbow strike.
Nickels lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickels has a couple of punches blocked by Starker.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nickels.

Paul Starker's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Nickels blocks the elbow strike.
Nickels comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Starker throws a head punch that misses.
Nickels lands an elbow that stopped Starker in his tracks for a moment.
Nickels pushes off an throws an elbow but Starker leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nickels blocks the elbow strike.
Nickels lands with a left to the head.

Nickels has Starker pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Nickels pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Starker tumbling to the mat - Nickels dives into Starker's guard.
Starker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nickels trying to control the position from guard on top but Starker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nickels throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Nickels dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Starker wants to clinch but Nickels slips to the side
and Nickels counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Starker closes the distance and clinches.
Starker lands an elbow inside.
Nickels dodges an elbow strike from Starker.
Nickels lands a nice elbow.
A nice left hand lands by Nickels.
Starker throws an elbow but it misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nickels.
Starker pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nickels just misses with a elbow thrown towards Starker's brow.
Nickels throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Starker lands with a light punch inside.
Nickels throws an elbow that misses.
A shot in the inside from Starker.
Starker misses with an elbow strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nickels dodges an elbow strike from Starker.
Nickels comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Starker throws a punch but it's blocked by Nickels.
Nickels avoids the elbow strike from Starker, against the cage.
Nickels dodges an elbow strike from Starker.
Nickels blocks the elbow strike.
Nickels lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickels lands an uppercut.
Starker blocking some punches.
Starker misses with an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Starker just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nickels's brow.
Starker gets through Nickels's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Nickels.
Starker misses with an elbow over the top.
Nickels lands a nice uppercut.
Starker misses with an elbow strike.
A head punch on the inside from Nickels fails to land.
Nickels lands an elbow just above Starker 's eye.
Nickels lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nickels.
Nickels pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Starker pushes off an throws an elbow but Nickels leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Starker throws an elbow but it misses.
Nickels lands with a light punch inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Starker just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nickels's brow.
Starker misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nickels throws an elbow but misses.
Nickels lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickels throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Starker softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Starker prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nickels misses with some punches.
A short right from Nickels.
Nickels scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Starker throws an elbow but it misses.
Starker throws an elbow but it misses.
Nickels misses with the head strike.
Starker softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Nickels has Starker pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Nickels pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Starker tumbling to the mat - Nickels dives into Starker's guard.
Nickels trying to control but Starker is working from the bottom.
Starker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nickels.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickels trying to control but Starker is working from the bottom.
Nickels throwing strikes from guard but Starker blocks nicely.
Nickels postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nickels lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Starker keeping moving, preventing Nickels from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Starker wants to clinch
and Nickels counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nickels. Starker does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Starker shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Jeez, Paul Starker's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Nickels looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nickels swats away the attempt to clinch by Starker.
Nickels avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nickels circles away from the clinch attempt
and Nickels counters with a two punch combo.
Starker tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nickels paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nickels tries to bum rush Starker with a series of wild strikes but Starker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nickels has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nickels, as that shot connected.
Starker on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nickels misses with a jab, cross combination.
Starker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nickels thinks about the counter body kick.
Paul Starker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Starker tries to clinch but Nickels is having none of it.
Nickels lands a jab.
Nickels cracks a nice hook into Starker's ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Nickels showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nickels connects with a nice looking jab.
Starker tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nickels manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nickels misses with a takedown attempt - Starker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Starker clinches with his opponent.
Starker pushes off an throws an elbow but Nickels leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nickels scores with a nice hook to the head.
Starker pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nickels lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Starker backwards.
Starker blocks an elbow strike.
Starker throws an elbow but it misses.
Nickels blocks an elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickels scores with a shot to the side of Starker's head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nickels just misses with a elbow thrown towards Starker's brow.
Starker lands an elbow inside.
Starker pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nickels avoids a wild elbow strike from Starker.
Starker pushes off an throws an elbow but Nickels leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nickels lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nickels lands a takedown into guard.
Nickels sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Starker keeping moving, preventing Nickels from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nickels lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nickels with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nickels throwing strikes but missing.
Nickels landing with the ground and pound.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickels trying to control but Starker is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Nickels tries to keep at a distance but Starker has taken the fight into the clinch.
Starker is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Nickels avoids a wild elbow strike from Starker.
Nickels dodges an elbow strike from Starker.
Nickels lands with a right to the head.
Nickels avoids the elbow strike from Starker, against the cage.
Starker lands an elbow inside.
Starker looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nickels wants to take the fight to the mat but Starker manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Paul Starker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Nickels.
Nickels takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A short uppercut from Starker.
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!
Starker takes an elbow to the temple.
Nickels avoids the elbow strike from Starker, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickels pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Starker.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nickels.
Starker throws an elbow that misses.
Starker takes an elbow to the temple.
Jimmy Nickels seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nickels blocks an elbow strike from Starker.
Nickels lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Starker backwards.
Starker misses with an elbow strike.
Nickels blocks an elbow strike from Starker.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nickels.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Starker.
Starker blocks an elbow strike.
Nickels blocks an elbow strike.
Nickels throws a punch but it's blocked by Starker.
Starker misses with a punch on the inside.
Starker creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Starker lands a right hand.
Nice elbow from Starker.

The cut above Jimmy Nickels's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Nickels throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Starker throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starker throws an elbow but it's blocked.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nickels creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Starker creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nickels's defenses.
Nickels comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice elbow from Nickels.
Starker pushes off an throws an elbow but Nickels leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nickels tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nickels tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nickels throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Starker dodges an elbow strike from Nickels.
Starker throws an elbow but it misses.
Jimmy Nickels is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Starker throws an elbow but it misses.
Nickels dodges an elbow strike from Starker.
Nickels scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Starker lands a nice elbow.
Starker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nickels backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Starker.
Paul Starker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nickels lands an elbow inside that Starker shrugs off.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Paul Starker.
Well Nickels has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmy Nickels!
The defeated Paul Starker had this to say: 'I`LL BE BACK@#$%!'.