PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Panda Four (ranked 1401 p4p, 1176 weight class) and Casimiro Nicoletta (ranked 190 p4p, 159 weight class). Nicoletta has chosen For Once In My Life as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Panda Four has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Four
vs
Nicoletta

150 cm
25
205
11 - 7 - 0

190 cm
25
210
13 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT

HELLBENT
Urban Fighter

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Panda Four!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Casimiro Nicoletta!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Andrew Berry and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Four shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nicoletta defends it nicely.
Nicoletta has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Four is looking to clinch but Nicoletta is avoiding it.
Nicoletta throws out a loose jab but Four uses good head movement to avoid it.
No joy there for Nicoletta, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Four changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nicoletta looks to land a left hand but Four moved out of range nicely.
Nicoletta lands a nice looking body shot.
Nicoletta throws a looping overhand right but Four ducks down to avoid it.
Nicoletta scores with a sloppy right hand. Four should have avoided that one.
Four walks into a jab.

It looks like Panda Four has been cut.
Four walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nicoletta missing with a left hand there. Four was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Four takes a kick to the side of the head.
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!
Four tries to clinch up but Nicoletta circles away and keeps his distance.

Four closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Four lands in his opponent's guard.
Nicoletta wants to get back to his feet but Four is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Four tries to free his leg and advance position but Nicoletta is retaining full guard.
Nicoletta wants to stand but Four is controlling the position.

Four thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Nicoletta wants to stand and escape but Four is having none of it.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Four might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Four passes Nicoletta's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Four wants to work for an arm triangle but Nicoletta is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Four is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nicoletta defends it well.

Four is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nicoletta doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Four.
Nicoletta wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Four shoots in looking for a takedown but Nicoletta manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Four's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nicoletta throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nicoletta throws a sloppy head kick and Four moves out of range easily.
Four throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nicoletta misses with a double jab.
Four tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Four is looking to clinch but Nicoletta is avoiding it.
Four shoots in looking for a takedown. Nicoletta tries to sprawl out of it but Four keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nicoletta manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Panda Four. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Four blocks a jab.
Four drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nicoletta sprawls and moves away.
Nicoletta is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Four wants to clinch
and Nicoletta counters with a head kick. That will keep Four thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Four is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Four closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Nicoletta kicks off Four and gets to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Four shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nicoletta sprawls well. Nicoletta wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Four gets slowly back to his feet.
Nicoletta misses with a few strikes there.
Four moves away from the strike by Nicoletta.
Four ducks under a wild hook from Nicoletta.

Four clinches.
Nicoletta creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nicoletta pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Four pulls Nicoletta into guard.
Nicoletta would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Four has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nicoletta can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Casimiro Nicoletta dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Panda Four's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nicoletta throws a nice looking combination but Four bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A punch combination from Nicoletta misses.
A head kick misses from Nicoletta.
Nicoletta misses with a hook.
Four appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Casimiro Nicoletta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Nicoletta.
Four tries to close the distance and clinch but Nicoletta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Despite the aggression on Nicoletta's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Four slips under a jab.
Four ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Four.
Nicoletta misses with a few strikes there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicoletta throws a hook but Four blocks it.
Four is looking to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nicoletta! But no joy.
Four tries to clinch there but Nicoletta circles away.
Nicoletta throws a hook but Four blocks it.
Nicoletta missing with a left hand there. Four was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Four moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Four fails to land the takedown.
Nicoletta stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Panda Four's cut is getting worse.
Nicoletta has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nicoletta keeps the fight on the outside.
Nicoletta looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nicoletta sizes up Four with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nicoletta misses with a hook.
Four half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nicoletta falls off balance throwing a combination

and Four decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nicoletta's guard.
Nicoletta is looking to stand up but Four isn't so interested in that idea.
Four passes Nicoletta's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Four is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Four is working for an americana but Nicoletta has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Four was thinking about the submission.
Four trying to move into half guard but instead Nicoletta has managed to sweep!

This has been an exciting period of action!

Four escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nicoletta gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Four is looking for a triangle but Nicoletta pushes his legs off easily.

Four looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nicoletta stands and steps away. Four gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Nicoletta leaves Four with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nicoletta looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Panda Four. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nicoletta misses with an uppercut. Four saw that one coming.
Four appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nicoletta throws a series of punches but Four moves out of range.
Nicoletta might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Four fails in his attempt to clinch.
Four shoots in but Nicoletta avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nicoletta lands the left hand.
Nicoletta ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Four moves away.
Four closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nicoletta circles away.
Nicoletta throws an overhand right that lands on Four's shoulder, as Four tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicoletta throws a head kick that misses.

Four has closed the distance and engaged Nicoletta in a clinch.
Nicoletta lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Four jumps guard but Nicoletta stands there with Four around his waist. Four gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nicoletta lands with a right to the head.
Four tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nicoletta smiles and moves away.
A head kick misses from Nicoletta.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Four uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nicoletta.
Four appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Four closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Four lands in his opponent's guard.

Four drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Nicoletta dives on top into guard.

Nicoletta gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Casimiro Nicoletta showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Panda Four's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Four avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nicoletta enables Four to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nicoletta manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Four looking to pass the guard.

Four postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nicoletta is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Four, into his guard.

Nicoletta wants to stand but Four has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nicoletta stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicoletta lands with a hook. Four tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A big left from Nicoletta misses.
Four attempts a counter takedown but Nicoletta avoids it well and moves away.
Nicoletta rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Four moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nicoletta tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Four closes the distance and clinches up with Nicoletta, looking for a takedown. Four pushes Nicoletta against the cage but Nicoletta circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nicoletta dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nicoletta throws a jab when Four was well out of range.
Nicoletta tests Four's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Four clinches up against the cage.
Nicoletta pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nicoletta lands a left hand.

Panda Four's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

Four decides to pull guard.
Nicoletta trying to stand up but can't free himself from Four's guard.
Nicoletta wants to control from the top but Four keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nicoletta trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nicoletta controlling from the top position.

Four looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Nicoletta got a little sloppy there for a moment and Four has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nicoletta has managed to get both his arms back between Four's legs - danger averted.

Nicoletta decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Four, up you get!
Nicoletta misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Four takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nicoletta misses with a straight left.
Nicoletta misses with a two punch combination.

Four looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Nicoletta!

Nicoletta throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Nicoletta circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nicoletta now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Four tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nicoletta paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nicoletta with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Four takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Jeez, Panda Four's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Four wants to clinch up but Nicoletta keeps it at a distance.
Four is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nicoletta sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nicoletta misses with a hook. Four ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Four throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nicoletta's waist but Nicoletta gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Four off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Panda Four. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nicoletta misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Four.
Nicoletta fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Four is rocked!

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Panda Four's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Casimiro Nicoletta!
Casimiro Nicoletta decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.