PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Len Nicodemo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gunner State (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). State is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Blaze Of Glory by Bon Jovi. Gunner State is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Nicodemo
vs
State

180 cm
24
156 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

172 cm
22
159 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Len Nicodemo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gunner State!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Dean Styles and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
State takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nicodemo looks to score with a jab to the body but State is just out of range.
Nicodemo looks to throw the jab but State is out of range.
Nicodemo misses with a straight left.
Nicodemo throws a hook but State avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Nicodemo.
State shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nicodemo as he avoids it easily.
Nicodemo connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Gunner State has been cut.
State swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nicodemo counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
State slips under a jab from Nicodemo.
State takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
State looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
State walks into a straight right hand from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nicodemo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nicodemo misses with a wild body shot.
A left lands for Nicodemo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicodemo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nicodemo loads up on a big right hand but State slips the punch.
Nicodemo throws a hook but State blocks it.
Nicodemo misses with the combination.
Nicodemo connects with a looping right hand.
Nicodemo looks to land a right hand but State moved out of range.
State walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nicodemo jabs at State's body.
A jab from Nicodemo does it's job there.

State is rocked!
Nicodemo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
State is still on wobbly legs! Can Nicodemo finish him?
Nicodemo misses with a combination
and State counters with a nice body shot.
State seems to have recovered his senses.
Nicodemo looks to score with a jab to the body but State is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
State moves out of range as Nicodemo strikes.
State lands a front kick.
A jab from Nicodemo misses.
State moves out of range of the strikes.
Nicodemo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That has opened up Gunner State's cut even more.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nicodemo misses with a shot to the body

and State counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Nicodemo's guard now.
Nicodemo seems keen to control State's posture.
State wants to control from the top but Nicodemo keeps moving.
Nicodemo wants to sweep here but State controlling him for the moment.
Nicodemo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in State's guard.
Nicodemo tries to stand but State is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nicodemo got a little sloppy there for a moment and State has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nicodemo has managed to get both his arms back between State's legs - danger averted.
Nicodemo has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nicodemo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Nicodemo passes State's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Nicodemo wants to stand up but State is controlling the position.

State is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nicodemo pulls his head out easily.
Nicodemo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
State flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nicodemo is keen to just control but State is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
State wants to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nicodemo throws a right hand that State ducks under and follows up with a left that State also avoids with ease.
Nicodemo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between State's hands.
A jab lands there for Nicodemo.
A left and a right from State both land. Nice combination.
Nicodemo moves out of range of the strikes.
Nicodemo throws a predictable looking body shot

and State decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nicodemo's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nicodemo wants to sweep here but State controlling him for the moment.
Nicodemo keeping moving, preventing State from controlling successfully.
Nicodemo pulls State in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Len Nicodemo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gunner State's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

State swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nicodemo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
State takes a swing at Nicodemo's ribcage but misses.
Nicodemo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nicodemo thows a body shot but no joy.
State uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo works State's body with a nice hook.
State closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nicodemo circles away.
State staying out of range there.
State displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nicodemo throws out the jab.
Nicodemo just misses with a punch to the body.
State on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Len Nicodemo is winning the standup battle so far.
State is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
State lands a nice looking body shot.
Nicodemo throws a hook to the side of State's head but State sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
State misses with a body shot.
Nicodemo works State's body with a nice hook.
State throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nicodemo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nicodemo lands a nice shot to the body.
State swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nicodemo lands a nice shot that snaps State's head back.
Nicodemo takes a swing at State's ribcage but misses.
Nicodemo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jab, jab by Nicodemo - just one landing.
Nicodemo jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nicodemo swings away with a body shot that misses
and State counters with a straight right hand.
Nicodemo scores with a jab. State acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Nicodemo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nicodemo fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
State staying out of range there.
Len Nicodemo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nicodemo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nicodemo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping State at a distance.
Nicodemo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo throws a shot to the body.
State takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nicodemo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by State.
State takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
State needs to keep his hands up - Nicodemo had a free shot at his head there.
Nicodemo works the jab nicely.
Nicodemo lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
State tries to move into range but Nicodemo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nicodemo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from State.
Nicodemo misses with a wild body shot.
Nicodemo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps State's head backwards.

The cut above Gunner State's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
No joy there for State, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nicodemo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nicodemo throws a looping overhand right but State ducks down to avoid it.
Nicodemo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent State stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nicodemo missing with a left hand there. State was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
State moves away from the strike by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nicodemo lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
State misses with a body punch
and Nicodemo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
State is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nicodemo rather than just go for the knockout.
Nicodemo lands a slapping body shot.
State takes one to the chin there.
Nicodemo dips to his left and cracks State with an uppercut!
State uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo thows a body shot but no joy.
State looks to throw the jab but Nicodemo is out of range.
State defending well as Nicodemo loads up on a big left hand.
Nicodemo tests State's chin there with a solid looking shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nicodemo looks to land a right hand but State moved out of range.
State pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nicodemo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that State can do to turn this around?
State swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Len Nicodemo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gunner State's cut.
That's time! Nicodemo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

State swinging wildly here.
Nicodemo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
State with a jab.
Nicodemo misses with a jab, cross combination.
State moves out of range as Nicodemo strikes.
State fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nicodemo manages to avoid it.
Nicodemo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from State.
The fighters circling - Nicodemo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicodemo throws a hook but State blocks it.
Nicodemo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nicodemo connects with the punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
State keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nicodemo missing with a left hand there. State was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicodemo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
State uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nicodemo tests State's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nicodemo throws a body punch but State moves out of range.
Nicodemo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nicodemo takes a swing at State's ribcage but misses.
State slips under a jab.
State takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A shot to the body from Nicodemo misses
and State counters with a straight right hand.
Nicodemo looks to throw the jab but State is out of range.
Nicodemo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
State lands with a good body shot.
State shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nicodemo sprawls well. Nicodemo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. State gets slowly back to his feet.
Nicodemo misses with a hook to the body

and State counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Nicodemo!
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!
Nicodemo slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Nicodemo is looking to improve his position.

State is working for a submission of some sort.
State sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nicodemo defending well though.
Nicodemo gets full guard.
Nicodemo is controlling State's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
State is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Nicodemo pushes State off and gets back to his feet.
Nicodemo blocks a jab.

State changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nicodemo looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sloppy strikes there by State.
State throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Nicodemo is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked State off and has taken his back!
Nicodemo is looking to control State but State is wriggling around and keeping busy.
State has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo biding his time, controlling State.
Nicodemo doesn't have the hooks in and State manages to turn into his guard.
Nicodemo trying to control the position.
State passes into half guard.
State lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Len Nicodemo did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Gunner State's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nicodemo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nicodemo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nicodemo misses with a straight left.
State misses with a body shot.

State shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than State was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Nicodemo regains half guard.
State thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nicodemo's head.
Nicodemo blocking the ground and pound attempt from State.
Nicodemo wants to control but State is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nicodemo manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Gunner State has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nicodemo is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Nicodemo looking for a guillotine here but State defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicodemo wants to sweep but no luck.
Nicodemo wants to get back to his feet but State is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
State postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
State passes easily into side control. Nice work.
State lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

State is trying to get an arm triangle but Nicodemo is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nicodemo is looking for a sweep.
Nicodemo prevents State from improving position.
Nicodemo defending against the ground and pound.
State with the ground and pound but Nicodemo regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Nicodemo is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Nicodemo moves into full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nicodemo holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
State trying to control the position from guard on top but Nicodemo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nicodemo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nicodemo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nicodemo wants to take a breather but State is having none of it.
Nicodemo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

State is defending against the submission attempts here by Nicodemo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
State misses with some strikes from the bottom.
State is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nicodemo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nicodemo's back!
Nicodemo trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Nicodemo covering up well and avoiding damage.
Nicodemo tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

State working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Nicodemo holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as State tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Len Nicodemo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gunner State's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

State takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nicodemo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A punch combination from Nicodemo misses.
State ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Nicodemo lands a left and a right that send State crashing to the mat, dazed. Nicodemo thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Nicodemo misses with a hook to the body
and State counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
State misses with an uppercut.
Nicodemo lands with a nice body punch.
Nicodemo connects with a body shot.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
State slips under a jab from Nicodemo.
State misses with a series of wild punches.
Nicodemo scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicodemo throws a body punch but State moves out of range.
Nicodemo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A combination from Nicodemo does no damage.
State keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
State moves away from the strike by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo misses with a shot to the body
and State counters with a right hand to the body.
State has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nicodemo swinging wildly here.
State throws a hook but Nicodemo avoids it easily.
Nicodemo just misses with a punch to the body.
State defending well as Nicodemo loads up on a big left hand.
State throws a hook to the side of Nicodemo's head but Nicodemo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
State throws a head kick that misses.
State ducks under a wild hook from Nicodemo.
State throws a hook but Nicodemo avoids it easily.
Nicodemo looks to score with a jab to the body but State is just out of range.
Len Nicodemo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
State jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nicodemo throws a series of punches but State avoids them all with ease.
Nicodemo moves out of range of the strikes.
Len Nicodemo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
State fails with the takedown.
State shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nicodemo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Jab by Nicodemo.
A shot to the body from Nicodemo misses
and State counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
State tries for a takedown but Nicodemo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nicodemo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
State loads up on a big right hand but Nicodemo slips the punch.
State on the wrong end of a nice jab.
State just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice defenses there by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nicodemo lands a right hook to the body.
Nicodemo dips to his left and cracks State with an uppercut!
Nicodemo smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
State rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nicodemo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
State throws a looping overhand right but Nicodemo ducks down to avoid it.
Nicodemo lands with a nice body punch.
State takes one to the chin there.
Gunner State has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Nicodemo.
State misses with a wild body shot.
Nicodemo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nicodemo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
State misses with a jab to the body
and Nicodemo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nicodemo works the jab nicely.
State takes one to the side of the head.
Nicodemo is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
State walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nicodemo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nicodemo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nicodemo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nicodemo lands a jab-cross combination.
Nicodemo swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Len Nicodemo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nicodemo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 50:44
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 49:45
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Len Nicodemo!
Len Nicodemo retains his featherweight title!