PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Elias Nielsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cole Phelps (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Elias Nielsen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nielsen
vs
Phelps

190 cm
18
217 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Elias Nielsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cole Phelps!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phelps lands a head shot.

Nielsen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Phelps tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nielsen is in Phelps's guard.
Phelps is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nielsen is controlling him.

Nielsen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Phelps has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nielsen has managed to get both his arms back between Phelps's legs - danger averted.
Phelps is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Phelps trying to keep a closed guard but Nielsen is proving a slippery customer.
Phelps keeping moving, preventing Nielsen from controlling successfully.

Nielsen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nielsen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Phelps can do anything to dispel that myth.
Nielsen passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nielsen works his foot free and advances to mount.
Phelps tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nielsen controlling the position easily from mount.

Nielsen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Phelps has given up his back. Will we see Nielsen going for some submissions?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Nielsen seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Phelps for as long as he can get away with.
Nielsen's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Phelps trying to control the action but Nielsen just sinks the hooks in.
Nielsen slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phelps prevents Nielsen from getting a body triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Elias Nielsen wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Phelps wants to clinch.
Phelps throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice uppercut lands for Phelps. That snapped Nielsen's head back.
Phelps is looking to score with low kicks.
Nielsen keeps the fight on the outside.
Phelps tries to work over Nielsen's front leg with a kick but Nielsen checks it.
Phelps throws a leg kick that misses.
Phelps misses with a low kick.
Phelps scores with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nielsen fails with a takedown attempt.
Cole Phelps seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Nielsen gets tackled into the cage by Phelps. Phelps maintains the clinch.
Phelps keeps control of Nielsen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nielsen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phelps just stands there and leans against the cage.

Nielsen drags the fight down to the ground.

Nielsen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phelps trying to control the position from guard on top but Nielsen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nielsen is trying to control the position but Phelps postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Phelps's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nielsen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Nielsen dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nielsen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nice cross by Phelps.
Nielsen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Phelps tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Nielsen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Phelps fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Phelps is looking to clinch but Nielsen is avoiding it.
Nielsen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nielsen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Phelps connects with a solid leg kick.
Phelps throws a series of strikes that have Nielsen backpedaling.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nielsen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Phelps.

It looks like Elias Nielsen has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Phelps scores with a four punch combination!
Phelps scoring well with a low kick there.
Phelps throws a sloppy head kick and Nielsen moves out of range easily.
Phelps works over Nielsen's head and body with a nice combination.

Phelps gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Phelps's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cole Phelps is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Phelps clinches up against the cage.

Phelps breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sloppy strikes from Phelps. Those never looked like landing.
Phelps fails in his attempt to clinch.
Phelps tries to clinch there but Nielsen circles away.

Phelps gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phelps gets underhooks to prevent Nielsen's takedown attempt.
Phelps landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Come on Phelps - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Phelps breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phelps is looking to clinch but Nielsen is avoiding it.
Phelps stalks Nielsen and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nielsen's face. Nielsen staggers backwards, shaken.
Phelps lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Phelps wants to clinch up but Nielsen keeps it at a distance.
A nice leg kick lands there from Phelps.

Phelps closes the distance and clinches.
A short uppercut from Phelps.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Phelps drives through and clinches with Nielsen against the cage.
Phelps scores with a hook to the body.

Phelps breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Phelps throws a shot to the body.
Nielsen dodges the punch combination from Phelps.
Phelps looks to land a combination. Nielsen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Phelps is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Phelps fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cole Phelps is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Phelps lands with a good body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phelps wants to clinch.
Nielsen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Phelps.
Some wild striking there from Phelps.

Nielsen tries to keep at a distance but Phelps has taken the fight into the clinch.
Phelps is looking to control Nielsen's arms but Nielsen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Phelps has his back to the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nielsen jumps guard but Phelps stands there with Nielsen around his waist. Nielsen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elias Nielsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Phelps breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phelps lands a two punch combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Phelps showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Elias Nielsen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nielsen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nielsen keeps the fight on the outside.
Nielsen walks into a stiff left hand from Phelps.
Phelps cracks a nice hook into Nielsen's ribs.
Phelps throws a low kick, looking for Nielsen's leg but Nielsen calmly moves out of range.
Phelps lands a jab-cross combination.
Nielsen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nielsen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Phelps as he avoids it easily.
Cole Phelps seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Phelps scores with a jab. Nielsen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Phelps closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phelps moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Phelps drops Nielsen with a beautiful combination! Nielsen stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Phelps is looking for the KO!

Nielsen is rocked!
Phelps lands a nice shot that snaps Nielsen's head back.
Oh Nielsen is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Phelps throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Phelps smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Phelps, right into the meat.
Phelps lands a jab-cross combination.
Phelps scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Phelps closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nielsen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phelps just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nielsen seems to have got his legs back now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elias Nielsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Phelps is pushing Nielsen up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nielsen jumps guard but Phelps stands there with Nielsen around his waist. Nielsen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Phelps lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nielsen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nielsen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Phelps prevents it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nielsen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Nielsen manages to pull guard.
Elias Nielsen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Phelps sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Phelps's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nielsen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Phelps gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Phelps trying to control but Nielsen is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Cole Phelps.
Phelps works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Phelps tries to clinch up but Nielsen circles away and keeps his distance.
Phelps slips under a jab from Nielsen.
Phelps connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nielsen momentarily.
Phelps throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phelps lands a jab-cross combination.
Phelps has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Phelps moves into the clinch.

Phelps breaks from the clinch.
A shot to the liver by Phelps. Beautiful body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phelps clobbers Nielsen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Phelps lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nielsen at a distance.
Phelps takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Phelps misses with a body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Phelps ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Phelps throws a head kick that misses.
Elias Nielsen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cole Phelps is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nielsen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Phelps counters with a stiff right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cole Phelps comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Phelps 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Cole Phelps!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Cole Phelps!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Cole Phelps!

Cole Phelps wins by unanimous decision!