PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Damien Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Maia
vs
Nikolaev

173 cm
28
150 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

170 cm
23
135 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30)

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Damien Maia!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anton Nikolaev!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Maia misses the target.
Maia misses with a hook. Nikolaev ducked under it nicely.
Maia throws a right and a left that Nikolaev avoids nicely.
Nikolaev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maia keeps the fight on the outside.
Nikolaev tries to clinch but Maia moves out of range.
Nikolaev slips a jab and a cross from Maia.
Maia throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Nikolaev moves into the clinch.
Nikolaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Maia's efforts to push away.
Nikolaev tries to land a knee to the head but Maia blocks with his arms.
Maia working hard to break the clinch.
Maia blocks an elbow strike from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev keeps control of Maia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Maia breaks the clinch.
Maia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nikolaev.
Maia scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Maia with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nikolaev takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Maia looks to score with a jab to the body but Nikolaev is just out of range.
Maia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nikolaev moves away.
Nikolaev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maia swings for the body but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Maia throws a shot from downtown. Nikolaev moves away and avoids it.
Nikolaev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nikolaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Maia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maia works Nikolaev's body with a nice hook.
Maia's corner calls for a 1-2. Maia obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maia throws a left and a right that both miss

and Nikolaev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nikolaev looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Maia breaks the clinch.
Maia ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikolaev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A big right from Maia misses.
Maia swats away the attempt to clinch by Nikolaev.
Damien Maia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikolaev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maia throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nikolaev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia misses with a lunging right hand

and Nikolaev counters by moving into the clinch.
Maia has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Nikolaev throws an elbow but misses.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev is controlling him.
Maia on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maia is trying to force a seperation but Nikolaev has the dominant position.
Maia has had enough of the clinch but Nikolaev keeps him there for the moment.

Maia manages to break the clinch.
Nice shot by Maia.
Maia just misses with a punch to the body.
Maia misses with a lunging right hand

and Nikolaev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Maia has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Nikolaev throws an elbow but misses.
Maia wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Maia has had enough of the clinch but Nikolaev keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev is controlling him.
Knees to the body from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev prevents Maia from breaking the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maia looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Maia has had enough of the clinch but Nikolaev keeps him there for the moment.
Maia wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Maia avoids a wild elbow strike from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Maia has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nikolaev.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Nikolaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maia's brow.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Nikolaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maia's brow.
Nikolaev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Maia has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Maia pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A slow jab from Maia misses its intended target.
Nikolaev drops his hands momentarily and Maia takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

It looks like Anton Nikolaev has been cut.

Nikolaev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maia, pushing him back against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damien Maia dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anton Nikolaev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Maia swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nikolaev tries to clinch there but Maia circles away.
Maia throws an off balance right hand

and Nikolaev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nikolaev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev is controlling him.
Maia has had enough of the clinch but Nikolaev keeps him there for the moment.

Maia pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A cross from Maia lands.
Maia misses with an uppercut

and Nikolaev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Maia wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nikolaev.
A knee to the head by Nikolaev.

Maia breaks the clinch.
Nikolaev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Maia will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Maia misses.
Maia throws a right and a left that Nikolaev avoids nicely.
Maia swings for the body but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Nikolaev is looking to clinch.
Maia closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nikolaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maia misses with a hook to the body

and Nikolaev counters by clinching up.
Maia can't break the clinch.
Maia is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Nikolaev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maia blocks it with crossed arms.
Nikolaev with a knee to the head.
Maia wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes.
Maia tries to break free but Nikolaev pushes him back against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nikolaev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nikolaev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maia avoids it.
Nikolaev pushes off an throws an elbow but Maia leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Maia has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Maia breaks the clinch.
Nikolaev darts in trying to clinch
and Maia counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maia swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikolaev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maia throws a body punch but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Maia misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia throws a lazy uppercut

and Nikolaev counters by clinching up.
Maia is looking to break free of the clinch but Nikolaev has double underhooks.
Maia is trying to stall.
Nikolaev looking to throw knees to the head but Maia is blocking nicely.
Maia avoids a wild elbow strike from Nikolaev.
Maia tries to break free but Nikolaev pushes him back against the ropes.
Maia wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nikolaev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nikolaev misses with a knee strike.
Maia tries to circle away but Nikolaev has him pinned against the ropes.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev is controlling him.
Maia has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Maia is trying to push Nikolaev away but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Nikolaev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maia blocks it with crossed arms.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Nikolaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maia's brow.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Nikolaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maia's brow.

Maia's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Nikolaev has Maia up against the ropes in a clinch.
Maia blocks an elbow strike from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Maia's efforts to push away.

Maia breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nikolaev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Damien Maia is winning the standup battle so far.
Nikolaev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikolaev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nikolaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Maia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maia throws a lazy uppercut

and Nikolaev moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damien Maia dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Anton Nikolaev's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nikolaev wants to clinch
and Maia counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Maia missing with a left hand there. Nikolaev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maia circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maia lands with a cross.
Maia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nikolaev.
Maia misses with a looping left.
Maia misses with a shot to the body

and Nikolaev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Nikolaev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maia avoids it.
Nikolaev tries a knee to the head but Maia blocks it.
Maia wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nikolaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Maia's efforts to push away.
Maia is trying to force a seperation but Nikolaev has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev keeps control of Maia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Maia tries to circle away but Nikolaev has him pinned against the ropes.
Maia blocks an elbow strike from Nikolaev.
Maia is trying to push Nikolaev away but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Nikolaev misses with a knee strike.
Nikolaev keeps control of Maia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nikolaev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nikolaev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nikolaev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nikolaev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Nikolaev misses with a knee to the head.
Nikolaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Anton Nikolaev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nikolaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Maia breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maia scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nikolaev in his tracks.
Maia circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maia throws a body punch but Nikolaev moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia misses with an uppercut.
Nikolaev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maia.
Maia jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Maia misses with a hook. Nikolaev ducked under it nicely.
Maia throws a lazy uppercut

and Nikolaev counters by clinching up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikolaev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Maia wants to get back to striking at distance but Nikolaev won't allow it.
Nikolaev lands a knee to the head.
Maia is trying to push Nikolaev away but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Nikolaev scores a nice knee to the body.
Maia looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nikolaev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Maia's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev throws an elbow that misses.
Maia working hard to break the clinch.
Maia is looking to break free of the clinch but Nikolaev has double underhooks.
Nikolaev keeps control of Maia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nikolaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nikolaev crunches a lovely knee into Maia's ribcage.
Maia taking a breather.
Maia working hard to break the clinch.
Nikolaev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maia tries to break free but Nikolaev pushes him back against the ropes.
Nice elbow from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev has Maia pressed against the ropes, preventing Maia from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Maia tries to circle away but Nikolaev has him pinned against the ropes.
Nikolaev misses with an elbow strike.
Nikolaev keeps control of Maia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Maia wants to get back to striking at distance but Nikolaev won't allow it.
Nikolaev throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nice elbow from Nikolaev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes.
Maia tries to circle away but Nikolaev has him pinned against the ropes.
Maia wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nikolaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Maia breaks the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maia throws a predictable looking body shot

and Nikolaev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nikolaev throws an elbow but it misses.
Nikolaev misses with a knee strike.
Maia is looking to break free of the clinch but Nikolaev has double underhooks.
Maia wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nikolaev as Maia tries to tie him up.

Maia breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maia misses with a lunging right hand

and Nikolaev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nikolaev.
Maia can't break the clinch.
Maia avoids the elbow strike from Nikolaev, against the ropes.
Maia blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Damien Maia did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Anton Nikolaev's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A jab from Maia does it's job there.
Maia throws an overhand right that lands on Nikolaev's shoulder, as Nikolaev tries to avoid the shot.
Maia misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nikolaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Maia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nikolaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maia.
Nikolaev defending well as Maia loads up on a big left hand.
Maia throws a left and a right that both miss

and Nikolaev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nikolaev.
Maia can't break the clinch.
Maia wants to get back to striking at distance but Nikolaev won't allow it.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes.
Nikolaev trying to land knees to the body.
Maia avoids the elbow strike from Nikolaev, against the ropes.
Nikolaev lands an elbow inside that Maia shrugs off.
Nikolaev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia tries to circle away but Nikolaev has him pinned against the ropes.
Nikolaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nikolaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nikolaev has Maia pressed against the ropes, preventing Maia from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nikolaev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nikolaev has Maia pressed against the ropes, preventing Maia from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev is controlling him.
Nikolaev misses with a knee strike.
Nikolaev misses with a knee strike.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev is controlling him.
Maia dodges an elbow strike from Nikolaev.

Maia breaks from the clinch.

Nikolaev moves into the clinch.
Maia wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Maia's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Maia swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maia lands a jab to Nikolaev's midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia misses with the combination.
Nikolaev tries to clinch up but Maia circles away and keeps his distance.
Nikolaev tries to clinch up.
Maia misses with a body shot.
Nikolaev is looking to clinch but Maia is avoiding it.
Maia pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Maia works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Anton Nikolaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
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!
Nikolaev closes the distance but Maia moves to the side
and Maia counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nikolaev thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Maia connects with a right hand. Nikolaev shakes it off.
Maia throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Nikolaev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nikolaev with a knee to the head.
Nikolaev lands a damaging elbow.
Maia wants to get back to striking at distance but Nikolaev won't allow it.
Maia can't break the clinch.
Nikolaev keeps control of Maia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nikolaev trying to land knees to the body.
Maia tries to break free but Nikolaev pushes him back against the ropes.
Maia wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nikolaev prevents Maia from breaking the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Maia's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nikolaev has Maia pressed against the ropes, preventing Maia from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nikolaev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Maia can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev misses with a knee strike.
Maia working hard to break the clinch.
Maia tries to break the clinch but Nikolaev is controlling the position.
Maia wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Maia is trying to force a seperation but Nikolaev has the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A frustrated look appears on Maia's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Maia looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nikolaev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nikolaev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maia blocks it with crossed arms.
Maia blocks the elbow strike.
Maia blocks the elbow strike.
Nikolaev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nikolaev lands an elbow that stopped Maia in his tracks for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Nikolaev throws an elbow but misses.
Nikolaev lands a nice elbow.
Nikolaev throws an elbow that misses.
Maia wants to break the clinch but can't.

Maia breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damien Maia had his way with Anton Nikolaev in that round.
The cut man is working on Anton Nikolaev's cut.
That's time! Maia's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Maia misses with a wild body shot.
Maia throws a lazy uppercut

and Nikolaev counters by clinching up.
Nikolaev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Maia can't break the clinch.
Nikolaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Maia is trying to break free.
Nikolaev tries to land a knee to the head but Maia blocks with his arms.
Nikolaev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maia blocks it with crossed arms.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes.
Nikolaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Maia's efforts to push away.
Maia wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes.
Nikolaev tries a knee to the head but Maia blocks it.
Nikolaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Maia's efforts to push away.
Maia wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nikolaev prevents Maia from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev prevents Maia from breaking the clinch.
Nikolaev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maia blocks it with crossed arms.
Maia has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Come on Maia - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nikolaev keeps control of Maia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes.
Maia wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nikolaev lands an elbow that stopped Maia in his tracks for a moment.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes.
Maia tries to circle away but Nikolaev has him pinned against the ropes.
Nikolaev prevents Maia from breaking the clinch.
Nikolaev lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Nikolaev.
Maia wants to get back to striking at distance but Nikolaev won't allow it.
Maia wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Maia wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Maia's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Maia is looking to break free of the clinch but Nikolaev has double underhooks.
Nikolaev keeps control of Maia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Maia blocks the elbow strike.
Maia tries to break the clinch but Nikolaev is controlling the position.

Maia breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Maia throws a body punch but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Maia circles away from the clinch attempt.
Damien Maia is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Maia throws a nice looking combination but Nikolaev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikolaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Maia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maia lands a really nice looking cross but Nikolaev seems unphased.
Nikolaev gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev tries to clinch up but Maia circles away and keeps his distance.
Maia misses with a double jab

and Nikolaev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Maia managing to block the knees to the body from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev tries to land a knee to the head but Maia blocks with his arms.
Nikolaev tries to land a knee to the head but Maia blocks with his arms.

Maia pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nikolaev tries to clinch up.
Nikolaev tries to clinch but Maia is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia thuds his right hand into Nikolaev's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Maia dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Maia wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Nikolaev rushes Maia and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Nikolaev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nikolaev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Damien Maia has been cut.
Maia avoids a wild elbow strike from Nikolaev.
Maia is trying to push Nikolaev away but Nikolaev has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nikolaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Anton Nikolaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikolaev working Maia over with knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Damien Maia.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Maia, 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 50:46
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Damien Maia!
Damien Maia retains his featherweight title!