PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexandr Sobolev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nik Nechvidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sobolev's entrance music is Война. A fine choice. Nik Nechvidov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Sobolev
vs
Nechvidov

200 cm
19
256 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

198 cm
22
270 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexandr Sobolev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nik Nechvidov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Valeri Chadov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nechvidov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sobolev to the mat! Sobolev manages to get full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Sobolev looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Nechvidov wants to pass the guard but Sobolev is keeping the position.
Nechvidov thows a big elbow that misses.
Nechvidov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nechvidov lands a couple of elbows.

Nechvidov drops back looking for a leg! Sobolev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sobolev manages to kick Nechvidov off! Nechvidov jumps back into Sobolev's guard.
Sobolev keeping full guard, as Nechvidov tries to pass.
Nechvidov stays in close to Sobolev's body and controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nechvidov chips away with some ground and pound.
Sobolev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nechvidov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nechvidov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nechvidov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Nechvidov wants to pass the guard but Sobolev is keeping the position.
Sobolev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nechvidov passes Sobolev's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nechvidov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nechvidov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Nechvidov seems to be working for a kimura but Sobolev defends the submission attempt.
Nechvidov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nechvidov wants to take a breather but Sobolev is having none of it.
Nechvidov is thwarting Sobolev's attempts to control the position.
Well, if Nechvidov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev is trying to maintain the position but Nechvidov is very close to passing his half guard.
Nechvidov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sobolev's head.
Sobolev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nechvidov is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sobolev tries for a takedown but Nechvidov circles away easily

and Nechvidov counters with a single leg into guard. Sobolev didn't expect that.
Nechvidov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Nechvidov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev trying to keep a closed guard but Nechvidov is proving a slippery customer.
Nechvidov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sobolev is working an open guard so Nechvidov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sobolev misses with a takedown

and Nechvidov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Sobolev!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nik Nechvidov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexandr Sobolev'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.

Nechvidov throws a sloppy head kick and Sobolev moves out of range easily.

Nechvidov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sobolev trying to control from the bottom.
Sobolev trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Nechvidov breaks from Sobolev's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Nechvidov prevents Sobolev from getting the reversal.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nechvidov controlling his opponent.
Nechvidov scoring with strikes but Sobolev is staying in there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobolev tries to hold on but Nechvidov pushes him away.
Sobolev is trying to reverse the position but instead Nechvidov has taken his back - oops!

Nechvidov has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Sobolev has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Nechvidov is not going to allow Sobolev to sit and survive in this position.
Nechvidov has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Sobolev's body.

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.
Nechvidov avoiding Sobolev 's attempts to control his hands.
Nechvidov scores with punches and elbows.
Nechvidov not allowing Sobolev to control his hands.
Nechvidov wants to control but Sobolev is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nechvidov patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Nechvidov lands a shot to the head.
Nechvidov missing with strikes from the back.
Nik Nechvidov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nechvidov gets his hands free as Sobolev looks to control.
Nechvidov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Sobolev.
Sobolev just trying to survive but Nechvidov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

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.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Alexandr Sobolev wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Sobolev with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nechvidov counters with a shoot takedown. Sobolev fights it but they end up in guard.
Nechvidov wants to control from the top but Sobolev keeps moving.
Sobolev trying to keep a closed guard but Nechvidov is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nik Nechvidov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alexandr Sobolev's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Sobolev doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Nechvidov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nechvidov tries to stand but Sobolev is controlling from the bottom.
Sobolev is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Nechvidov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sobolev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nechvidov has managed to get both his arms back between Sobolev's legs - danger averted.
Nechvidov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nechvidov postures up in Sobolev's guard and throws a big left but Sobolev blocks it.

Sobolev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Nechvidov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sobolev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nechvidov wants to control from the top but Sobolev keeps moving.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Nechvidov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nik Nechvidov wasn't active enough on the ground.
Sobolev has his takedown stuffed
and Nechvidov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Nechvidov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sobolev is trying to defend but Nechvidov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sobolev regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sobolev trying to keep a closed guard but Nechvidov is proving a slippery customer.
Nechvidov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sobolev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nechvidov wants to control from the top but Sobolev keeps moving.
Sobolev is controlling Nechvidov's posture.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Sobolev looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alexandr Sobolev wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sobolev fails with the takedown

and Nechvidov counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandr Sobolev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nechvidov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Nechvidov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Nechvidov trying to control the position but Sobolev is working away.
Sobolev is trying to control Nechvidov's posture but Nechvidov avoids it.
Nechvidov controls the position from side control.
Sobolev is trying to control Nechvidov's posture but Nechvidov avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nik Nechvidov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nechvidov 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nik Nechvidov!