PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alberto Aquilani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandros Nicolaou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nicolaou has chosen Anubis as his entrance music. Alexandros Nicolaou has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Aquilani
vs
Nicolaou

178 cm
26
156 lbs
10 - 8 - 1

178 cm
26
166 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Tianada's Nutrition Superstore

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 10 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alberto Aquilani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexandros Nicolaou!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Daniel Blasius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nicolaou gets a clinch.
Aquilani wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nicolaou has him pressed against the ropes.
Aquilani working hard to break the clinch.

Nicolaou breaks the clinch.
Aquilani on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nicolaou throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aquilani throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Aquilani shoots in for a takedown but Nicolaou shows good takedown defense.
Aquilani motions for Nicolaou to come forward. Aquilani throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nicolaou throws a nice looking combination but Aquilani bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Aquilani wants to land a leg kick but Nicolaou is out of range.
Aquilani misses with a low kick as Nicolaou jumps back.
Aquilani swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nicolaou dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nicolaou wants to clinch.
Aquilani wants to land a leg kick but Nicolaou is out of range.
Nicolaou misses with a hook. Aquilani ducked under it nicely.
Aquilani will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Aquilani slips under a jab.
Nicolaou connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nicolaou moves into the clinch.
Nicolaou scores with a hook to the body.
Nicolaou cracks Aquilani with a nice body shot.
Nicolaou keeps control of Aquilani as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Nicolaou breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nicolaou takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Aquilani swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Aquilani, right into the meat.
Nicolaou throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Nicolaou moves into the clinch.
Aquilani wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nicolaou lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Aquilani looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Aquilani being controlled against the ropes.
Aquilani is working for takedown but Nicolaou is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aquilani is trying to break the clinch but Nicolaou has him pressed against the ropes.
Nicolaou landing knees to the head.
Aquilani wants to break free but Nicolaou has control.
Nicolaou pushes Aquilani back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Aquilani tries to break free but Nicolaou pushes him back against the ropes.
Nicolaou trying to control the position but instead, Aquilani has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nicolaou into the ropes.
Nicolaou lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Aquilani backwards.
Aquilani is trying to push Nicolaou away but Nicolaou has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Aquilani is looking to break free of the clinch but Nicolaou has double underhooks.
Nicolaou works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nicolaou will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Aquilani up against the ropes.
Aquilani tries to break the clinch but Nicolaou is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicolaou lands a body shot.
Nicolaou pushes Aquilani back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Nicolaou lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Aquilani's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aquilani looks to land a right hand but Nicolaou moved out of range.
A head kick by Aquilani misses
enabling Nicolaou to counter with a crisp jab.
Aquilani lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Aquilani thows a leg kick but Nicolaou checks it
letting Nicolaou counter with a right hand.
Aquilani shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Nicolaou counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alberto Aquilani. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aquilani throws a leg kick but Nicolaou sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Aquilani takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Aquilani thows a leg kick but Nicolaou checks it
letting Nicolaou counter with a right hand.

Nicolaou has Aquilani up against the ropes in a clinch.
A short uppercut from Nicolaou.

Nicolaou pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aquilani misses with a low kick.
Nicolaou chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Aquilani shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nicolaou but Nicolaou pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Aquilani looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nicolaou looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nicolaou ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aquilani moves away.
Nicolaou smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nicolaou wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nicolaou looks gassed!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nicolaou scores with a nice head shot.
Nicolaou throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Aquilani on the side of the head.
Aquilani misses with a takedown
and Nicolaou counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aquilani throws out a leg kick but Nicolaou moves out of range and Aquilani only half commits.
Aquilani throws a low kick but Nicolaou moves out of range easily.
Nicolaou throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Nicolaou scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandros Nicolaou dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Aquilani takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nicolaou loads up on a big right hand but Aquilani slips the punch.
Nicolaou avoids a punch combination nicely.
Alberto Aquilani is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aquilani throws an overhand right that lands on Nicolaou's shoulder, as Nicolaou tries to avoid the shot.
Nicolaou slips under a jab.
Aquilani throws the kick towards the body but Nicolaou avoids it.
Aquilani stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Aquilani wants it to stay on the feet.
Nicolaou checks a leg kick.
Aquilani throws out a leg kick but Nicolaou moves out of range and Aquilani only half commits.
Aquilani misses with a body kick.
A low kick from Aquilani misses
and Nicolaou counters with a nice uppercut.
Nicolaou stuffs the takedown attempt from Aquilani. Aquilani gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aquilani slips a jab from Nicolaou.
Aquilani throws a leg kick
and Nicolaou counters with an inside leg kick.
Aquilani tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nicolaou was well out of range. Poor timing from Aquilani.
Aquilani moves out of range of the strikes.
Nicolaou is breathing heavily.

Nicolaou closes the distance and pushes Aquilani back into the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicolaou is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Aquilani is defending well for now.
Nicolaou lands a shoulder strike.
Nicolaou is trying to maintain a safe position but Aquilani gets an underhook and turns Nicolaou into the ropes.
Aquilani wants a takedown but no success here.
Nicolaou taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Aquilani wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Aquilani tries to break free but Nicolaou pushes him back against the ropes.
Aquilani working hard to break the clinch.

Nicolaou pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Aquilani tries a head kick but it misses.
Nicolaou checks a low kick from Aquilani.
Aquilani misses with a few strikes there.
Aquilani throws a sloppy head kick
and Nicolaou counters with a nice uppercut.
Nicolaou checks a low kick from Aquilani.
Aquilani throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Aquilani throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's two 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.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nicolaou checks a leg kick.
Aquilani fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nicolaou manages to avoid it.
Nicolaou rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aquilani moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nicolaou throws a nice looking combination but Aquilani bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nicolaou keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nicolaou lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Aquilani fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Aquilani dives in and grabs Nicolaou's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nicolaou pushes down on Aquilani's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alberto Aquilani. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aquilani misses with a wild body shot.
Nicolaou lands a nice shot that snaps Aquilani's head back.
Alexandros Nicolaou seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Aquilani throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Nicolaou to counter with a crisp jab.
Nicolaou blocks a leg kick.
Aquilani lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nicolaou's sensitive parts.
Aquilani tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Aquilani takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nicolaou misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aquilani.
Aquilani lands a head kick. Nicolaou smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Nicolaou throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Aquilani's waist but Aquilani gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nicolaou off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aquilani fails to land with a series of punches.
A low kick from Aquilani is predictable there
and Nicolaou counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Aquilani.
Nicolaou throws a series of punches but Aquilani avoids them all with ease.
Aquilani cracks the inside of Nicolaou's front leg.
Aquilani does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Aquilani fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Aquilani lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Aquilani throws a sloppy head kick and Nicolaou moves out of range easily.
Aquilani misses with an attempted mid kick.
Aquilani misses with a wild body shot.
Nicolaou misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aquilani.
Aquilani looks to land a combination but Nicolaou avoids it well.
Aquilani fails to land with a series of punches.

Aquilani decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Aquilani is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nicolaou defends it well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Aquilani wants to pass to mount but Nicolaou is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aquilani seems to be working for a kimura but Nicolaou defends the submission attempt.

Aquilani is working for a kimura but Nicolaou is defending it quite comfortably.

Aquilani is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nicolaou doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aquilani.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Aquilani is looking for a kimura but Nicolaou is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Aquilani to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alberto Aquilani will probably get the nod.
That's time! Aquilani's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Aquilani will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Aquilani tried to score with a low kick but Nicolaou checks it.
Aquilani throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Nicolaou cracks Aquilani with an open hand slap.
Aquilani tried to score with a low kick but Nicolaou checks it.
Nicolaou fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nicolaou misses with the combination.
Nicolaou checks a leg kick nicely.
The fighters circling - Aquilani throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nicolaou throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aquilani misses with a body kick.
Aquilani wants to land a leg kick but Nicolaou is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy left from Nicolaou finds it's target.
Nicolaou checks the leg kick.
Nicolaou misses with a double jab.
Nicolaou avoids the head kick by Aquilani.
Aquilani misses the body punch
and Nicolaou counters with a straight right hand.
Nicolaou takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nicolaou tries to close the distance and clinch but Aquilani swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aquilani misses with an uppercut. Nicolaou saw that one coming.
Aquilani gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nicolaou counters with a slapping leg kick.
Aquilani shoots in for a double leg but Nicolaou sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nicolaou wants to land a leg kick but Aquilani is out of range.

Nicolaou closes the distance and clinches.
Nicolaou digs a right hand underneath Aquilani's ribcage. Aquilani let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Aquilani tries to circle away but Nicolaou has him pinned against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Nicolaou's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nicolaou is pushing Aquilani up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Still in the clinch, Nicolaou scores with a nice short uppercut.
Aquilani is trying to break the clinch but Nicolaou has him pressed against the ropes.

Nicolaou breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nicolaou checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicolaou just misses with a punch to the body.
Nicolaou chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Aquilani can pounce on him.
Aquilani throws a half hearted mid kick.
Aquilani looks to land a right hand but Nicolaou moved out of range.
Aquilani throws a sloppy head kick and Nicolaou moves out of range easily.
Aquilani throws out a leg kick but Nicolaou moves out of range and Aquilani only half commits.
Aquilani throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nicolaou's waist but Nicolaou gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aquilani off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alberto Aquilani. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nicolaou blocks a head kick by Aquilani.
Aquilani fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nicolaou blocks a jab.
Nicolaou checks the leg kick.
Nicolaou throws a series of punches but Aquilani moves out of range.
Nicolaou looks to land a combination but Aquilani avoids it well.
Aquilani circles away from the clinch attempt.
Aquilani misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nicolaou fails in his attempt to clinch.

Nicolaou gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aquilani thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Aquilani drops back, looking for a kneebar! Nicolaou looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Nicolaou looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Nicolaou!
Aquilani seems a little lost for a moment, as Nicolaou dominates the positioning.
Aquilani is trying to improve his position.
Aquilani sneaks back into half guard.

Aquilani is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nicolaou pulls his head out easily.
Aquilani misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicolaou is just content to waste time from the top position. Aquilani takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Nicolaou controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Aquilani is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nicolaou defends well.

Aquilani has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nicolaou can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nicolaou slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Nicolaou has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alexandros Nicolaou.
I think Nicolaou has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexandros Nicolaou!