PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Rykov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esko Nikkari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Nikkari's choice of entrance music: Koto - Jabdah . 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?

Rykov
vs
Nikkari

200 cm
25
272 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
240 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

The Prototype's Nutrition Company
The Prototype's Nutrition Company

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alexey Rykov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Esko Nikkari!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Fedor Mirinova and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikkari fails to land with a series of punches.
Rykov thows a body shot but no joy.
Esko Nikkari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikkari misses with a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rykov. Nikkari does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nikkari throws a chopping leg kick but Rykov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rykov lands the left hand.

It looks like Esko Nikkari has been cut.
Rykov misses with a combination
and Nikkari counters with a nice low kick that buckles Rykov's knee momentarily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rykov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nikkari sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nikkari misses with a low kick.
A combination from Nikkari does no damage.
Nikkari is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rykov fails to land with a series of punches.
Rykov throws a nice looking combination but Nikkari bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nikkari throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rykov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nikkari moves away.
Nikkari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nice body punch from Nikkari.
Rykov is breathing heavily.
Nikkari tries to clinch but Rykov is having none of it.
A good leg kick by Nikkari.
Nikkari throws a looping overhand right but Rykov ducks down to avoid it.
Nice uppercut there from Nikkari.

It looks like Alexey Rykov has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikkari throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nikkari, right into the meat.
Nikkari lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rykov at a distance.
An inside leg kick lands from Nikkari.
Rykov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nikkari thumps Rykov with a low kick.
Nikkari cracks the inside of Rykov's front leg.
Rykov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari scores with a shot to the body.
A good leg kick by Nikkari.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nikkari.
Nikkari misses the jab.
Rykov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice uppercut there from Nikkari.
Nikkari throws a leg kick which misses Rykov's front leg but catches the back leg as Rykov tries to avoid it.
Rykov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nikkari.
Nikkari comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nikkari. That's going to slow Rykov down.
Rykov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nikkari throws a leg kick which misses Rykov's front leg but catches the back leg as Rykov tries to avoid it.
Nikkari misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nikkari.
Nikkari tries to clinch there but Rykov circles away.
Rykov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Nikkari. That one must have hurt.
Rykov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nikkari feints and then cracks Rykov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rykov down.
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!
Rykov misses with a body punch
and Nikkari counters with a nice low kick that buckles Rykov's knee momentarily.
Rykov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nikkari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nikkari tries to clinch up.
Rykov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rykov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nikkari throws a front kick that sends Rykov stumbling back into the cage.
Nikkari throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nikkari.
Nikkari lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nikkari feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rykov's calf.
Nikkari connects with a solid leg kick.
Rykov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nikkari can pounce on him.
Nikkari lands a head kick!
Nikkari thumps Rykov with a low kick.
Nikkari is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rykov rather than just go for the knockout.
Good shot there by Nikkari.

Alexey Rykov's cut is getting worse.
Nikkari delivers a nice body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rykov blocks a jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nikkari.
Nikkari lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Nikkari 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.

Rykov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nikkari tries to clinch there but Rykov circles away.
Nikkari connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nikkari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Nikkari.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikkari looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nikkari.
Nikkari lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rykov's sensitive parts.
Nikkari throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nikkari throws a quick inside leg kick.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Nikkari. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Nikkari throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nikkari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rykov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nikkari works Rykov's body with a nice hook.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nikkari gets a clinch.
Nikkari misses with a knee to the head.
Nikkari lands a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rykov backwards.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rykov blocks it with crossed arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nikkari.
Nikkari is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Nikkari.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Rykov's ribcage.
Nikkari with a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikkari scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nikkari stalls.
Nikkari is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nikkari with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nikkari lands a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nikkari leaning against his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari tries to land knees in the clinch but Rykov avoids the damage to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nikkari as Rykov tries to tie him up.
Rykov throws a punch but it's blocked by Nikkari.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nikkari obliges.
Rykov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A short right from Nikkari.
Nikkari scores with a shot to the side of Rykov's head.
Nikkari avoiding damage.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rykov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nikkari effectively controlling the action here.
Knees to the body from Nikkari.
Rykov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Nikkari utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nikkari landing knees to the body.
Nikkari lands a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rykov takes an elbow to the temple.
Esko Nikkari seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nikkari with a knee to the head.
Nikkari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nikkari taking a breather.
Nikkari utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nice body punch from Nikkari.
Nikkari landing knees to the body.
Nikkari utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Rykov's ribcage.
Nikkari with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rykov takes a knee to the side of the body.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Rykov is trying to break the clinch but Nikkari has him pressed against the cage.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Rykov's ribcage.
Nikkari throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rykovs head.
Nikkari lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari is leaning against Rykov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Rykov manages to break the clinch.
Nikkari tries to clinch up but Rykov circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Rykov misses the target.
A punch combination from Rykov misses.
Nikkari tries to clinch there but Rykov circles away.
Nikkari goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Alexey Rykov's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Rykov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nikkari.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nikkari, right into the meat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikkari tries to clinch up but Rykov circles away and keeps his distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rykov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Nikkari counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rykov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Nikkari 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 minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nikkari is looking to clinch.
Rykov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nikkari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rykov. That did some damage!
A slow jab from Nikkari misses its intended target.
Nikkari missing with a left hand there. Rykov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nikkari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rykov manages to avoid it.
Nikkari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rykov. That did some damage!
A clash of legs there as Rykov blocks the low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rykov misses with a hook.
Nikkari tries to clinch up but Rykov circles away and keeps his distance.
Esko Nikkari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rykov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rykov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Alexey Rykov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rykov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkari looks to score with a jab to the body but Rykov is just out of range.
Rykov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nikkari can pounce on him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nikkari is looking to land body kicks.
Nikkari clobbers Rykov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Good leg kick by Nikkari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nikkari moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nikkari cracks the inside of Rykov's front leg.
Nikkari tries to clinch there but Rykov circles away.
Nikkari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rykov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Good leg kick by Nikkari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nikkari tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rykov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari cracks a nice hook into Rykov's ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nikkari lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rykov will feel that in the morning.
Rykov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nikkari swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rykov counters with a left to the body.
Nikkari moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nikkari lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rykov's sensitive parts.
The crowd cheers as Nikkari lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rykov doesn't seem phased though.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nikkari.
Nikkari is looking to slow Rykov down with leg kicks.
Nikkari feints and then cracks Rykov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rykov down.
Nice body kick there by Nikkari.
Nikkari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari tries to clinch but Rykov is having none of it.
Nikkari throws a leg kick which misses Rykov's front leg but catches the back leg as Rykov tries to avoid it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nikkari.
A good leg kick by Nikkari.
An inside leg kick lands from Nikkari.
Nikkari slips a straight right by Rykov.
Rykov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikkari lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nikkari chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nikkari connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rykov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Jeez, Alexey Rykov's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Nikkari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rykov moves away.
Rykov misses with a shot to the body
and Nikkari counters with a leg kick.
Nikkari dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nikkari scores with a nice body kick.
Rykov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rykov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nikkari can pounce on him.
Alexey Rykov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikkari connects with a solid leg kick.

Nikkari has closed the distance and engaged Rykov in a clinch.
Nikkari working Rykov over with knees to the body.
Nikkari landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rykov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nikkari unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A right hand to the body from Nikkari.
Nice body punch from Nikkari - that landed with a thud.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nikkari.
A head punch on the inside from Rykov fails to land.
Rykov takes a knee right on the jaw!

And that's the end of the fight!
Esko Nikkari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nikkari 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 25:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 25:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esko Nikkari!