PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jack Daniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oleg Nikitin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikitin has chosen Slipknot - The Heretic Anthem as his entrance music. Jack Daniels had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 156.6lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Daniels
vs
Nikitin

174 cm
21
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

179 cm
26
162 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

{GTI} - HGH Nutrients
Wolfpack Threadz

Steel Penn's Laundry 93%

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Daniels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Oleg Nikitin!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Patrick Alders and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Daniels tries to close the distance and clinch but Nikitin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Daniels shoots for a takedown but Nikitin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nikitin lands with a shot to the body.
Nikitin showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Daniels.
Daniels moves out of range of the body kick.
Nikitin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Daniels doesn't seem bothered though.
Daniels shoots in for a takedown but Nikitin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Daniels shoots in looking for a takedown but Nikitin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Daniels's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Daniels. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikitin throws a good cross that connects.
Nikitin moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Daniels looking to score a takedown here. Nikitin is defending well but Daniels drives through and ends up in Nikitin's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Nikitin working a defensive guard here.
Daniels throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nikitin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nikitin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Daniels trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikitin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels postures up.
Daniels has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nikitin is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Oleg Nikitin has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A combination from Daniels does no damage.

Daniels shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nikitin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Daniels.
Daniels looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nikitin is pressing down on Daniels's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Nikitin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nikitin is on top in guard.
Daniels manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikitin is trying to get back to full guard.
Nikitin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nikitin won't allow Daniels to pass to mount.
Nikitin is trying to maintain the position but Daniels is very close to passing his half guard.
Nikitin works his way to full guard. Good work.
Daniels is working Nikitin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nikitin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nikitin wants to sweep but no luck.
Nikitin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Daniels manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin looking to pass the guard.

Daniels is looking for a triangle but Nikitin pushes his legs off easily.
Nikitin passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Daniels manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Daniels thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nikitin's head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Daniels connects with a nice short shot to Nikitin's temple.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikitin is looking for a sweep. Daniels is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Daniels is trying to control the action in half guard but Nikitin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nikitin is trying to get back to full guard.
Daniels looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Nikitin is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daniels takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nikitin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nikitin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Daniels.
Daniels sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nikitin defending well though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nikitin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nikitin is trying to control but Daniels passes into side control!
Nikitin regains half guard.
Daniels lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Daniels misses with a head shot. Nikitin uses the momentum to regain guard.
Daniels chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Oleg Nikitin will probably get the nod.
That's time! Daniels's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nikitin lands a really nice looking cross but Daniels seems unphased.
Nikitin lands with a good body shot.
Nikitin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Daniels showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nikitin.
Daniels throws a jab but it's blocked by Nikitin.
Horrible takedown by Daniels or perhaps it was just good defense by Nikitin which made him look bad.
Nikitin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nikitin throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Daniels tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nikitin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Daniels somewhat.

Daniels drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Daniels throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels trying to control the position but Nikitin is working away.
Daniels is working Nikitin over with some ground and pound from side control.
Nikitin sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Jack Daniels overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Daniels throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Daniels sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nikitin defending well though.
Daniels seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nikitin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nikitin tries to kick Daniels off but Daniels keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Daniels is looking to advance position but Nikitin won't allow it.
Nikitin is looking to control Daniels's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nikitin avoid being mounted?
Nikitin wants to get back to full guard.
Daniels working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nikitin trying to control but Daniels postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin is looking to improve his position.
Daniels seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Daniels is thwarting Nikitin's attempts to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikitin gets back to full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Daniels trying to control but Nikitin is working from the bottom.
Daniels landing with the ground and pound.

Nikitin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Daniels stopping the sweep attempt from Nikitin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels with a nice head shot there.
Nikitin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Daniels working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nikitin's head.
Nikitin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nikitin is trying to control the position but Daniels postures up.
Daniels throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Daniels is working Nikitin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Daniels trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nikitin working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Daniels is looking to work some ground and pound but Nikitin has wrist control.
Daniels lands a couple of elbows.
Daniels with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Nikitin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Daniels.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Daniels scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Daniels postures up.
Nikitin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nikitin working a defensive guard here.
Nikitin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikitin wants to control the position but Daniels says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Daniels dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nikitin misses the jab.
Nikitin just misses with a punch to the body.
Nikitin connects with a nice looking jab.
Nikitin stalks Daniels and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Daniels's face. Daniels staggers backwards, shaken.
Nikitin misses with a body shot.
No luck for Daniels with that takedown attempt.
Daniels takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Daniels misses with a takedown attempt
and Nikitin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Daniels tries to clinch up but Nikitin circles away and keeps his distance.
Daniels blocks a jab.
Nikitin throws out a powerful jab.
Nikitin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Daniels on the side of the head.
Nikitin swats away the attempt to clinch by Daniels.
Oleg Nikitin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nikitin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nikitin lands the left hand.
Nikitin connects with a looping right hand.
Daniels staying out of range there.
Daniels fails in his attempt to clinch.
Daniels tries to clinch but Nikitin moves out of range.
Daniels moves in looking to clinch but Nikitin pushes him off.
Nice shot lands for Nikitin.
Nikitin lands a jab-cross combination.
Daniels moves in looking to clinch but Nikitin pushes him off.
Nikitin stuffs the takedown attempt from Daniels. Daniels gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Daniels. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniels looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nikitin is fending him off so far but Daniels persists. Nope, Nikitin circles away and we're back to standing.
Daniels fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nikitin manages to avoid it.

Daniels closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nikitin wants to control but Daniels is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nikitin is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Daniels is staying active.
Nikitin is pressing down on Daniels's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nikitin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Nikitin kicks Daniels off and gets to his feet.
Daniels blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin throws a nice looking combination but Daniels bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Daniels closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nikitin circles away.
Daniels is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nikitin thows a body shot but no joy.
Oleg Nikitin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Daniels tries to clinch but Nikitin is having none of it.
Nikitin swings for the body but Daniels moves out of range.
A slow jab from Nikitin misses its intended target.
Nikitin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nikitin wants it to stay on the feet.
Nikitin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nikitin throws a right hand that Daniels ducks under and follows up with a left that Daniels also avoids with ease.

Daniels shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Nikitin is trying to defend but Daniels finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Daniels seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nikitin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin is looking to improve his position.
Nikitin is pressing down on Daniels's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Daniels postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nikitin keeping full guard, as Daniels tries to pass.
Daniels throwing strikes but missing.
Nikitin controlling Daniels's posture.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Daniels throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nikitin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oleg Nikitin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nikitin 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Oleg Nikitin!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Oleg Nikitin waved his t-shirt featuring Steel Penn's Laundry 93%'s logo in front of the cameras.