PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jamal Thibodeaux (ranked 3262 p4p, 3177 weight class) and Darjus Nikolaichev (ranked 344 p4p, 338 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thibodeaux
vs
Nikolaichev

172 cm
25
152
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
160
2 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Basic striking
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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jamal Thibodeaux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Darjus Nikolaichev!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, David Hoff and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thibodeaux jabs at Nikolaichev's body.
Nikolaichev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Darjus Nikolaichev has been cut.
Nikolaichev fails with a takedown attempt.
Nikolaichev avoids the body shot from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nikolaichev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Thibodeaux defends well and Nikolaichev ends up having to push Thibodeaux into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice cross by Thibodeaux.
The crowd cheers as Thibodeaux lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nikolaichev doesn't seem phased though.
Thibodeaux displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nikolaichev.
Nikolaichev looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Jamal Thibodeaux has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darjus Nikolaichev.
Thibodeaux defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nikolaichev.
Nikolaichev misses with a takedown attempt - Thibodeaux sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
No luck for Nikolaichev with that takedown attempt.
Thibodeaux lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nikolaichev at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikolaichev shoots in looking for a takedown. Thibodeaux tries to sprawl out of it but Nikolaichev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thibodeaux manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaichev shoots in looking for a takedown but Thibodeaux manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nikolaichev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thibodeaux throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jamal Thibodeaux seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thibodeaux leaves Nikolaichev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
No joy there for Thibodeaux, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nikolaichev follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Thibodeaux lands a slapping body shot.
Thibodeaux scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nikolaichev in his tracks.
Thibodeaux works the jab nicely.
Nikolaichev shoots in but no luck this time.
Nikolaichev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nikolaichev tries for a takedown but Thibodeaux sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nikolaichev looks winded!
Thibodeaux lands a nice shot to the body.
Thibodeaux jabs at Nikolaichev's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikolaichev tries to clinch up.
A jab from Thibodeaux finds it's way through Nikolaichev's defenses.
Nikolaichev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Thibodeaux takes the fight into the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Thibodeaux.
A right handed body shot lands from Thibodeaux.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Thibodeaux throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Thibodeaux is pressed up against the cage. Nikolaichev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thibodeaux down to the mat. Thibodeaux avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thibodeaux lands with a good body shot.
Thibodeaux lands with a nice body punch.
Thibodeaux scores with a one two! Nikolaichev had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Nikolaichev is rocked!
Thibodeaux lands with a straight right. Nikolaichev didn't see that one coming.
Nikolaichev is still on wobbly legs! Can Thibodeaux finish him?
Thibodeaux fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nikolaichev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nikolaichev walks into a left hand.
Nikolaichev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nikolaichev finds himself stumbling back on wobbly legs after being clipped by a right hand. He's up against the cage, ducking and weaving under Thibodeaux's strikes but an uppercut finds it's way through and Nikolaichev falls! - He's completely out of it and the ref jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jamal Thibodeaux!