PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Haer Dalis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandre Nieto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dalis comes to the cage accompanied by On the Warpath. Nieto has chosen Bullet the Blue Sky as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Dalis
vs
Nieto

175 cm
30
163 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

170 cm
25
162 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Haer Dalis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexandre Nieto!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dalis throws a poor cross that misses
and Nieto counters with an inside leg kick.
Dalis throws a right hand that Nieto ducks under and follows up with a left that Nieto also avoids with ease.
Nieto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nieto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dalis takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nieto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alexandre Nieto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dalis takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Dalis thumps Nieto with a low kick.
Nieto checks a low kick from Dalis.
Nieto defending well as Dalis loads up on a big left hand.

Nieto drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Dalis manages to get back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nieto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dalis is trying to stand.
Nieto trying to pass the guard but Dalis defending well.
Dalis wants to control but Nieto is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dalis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nieto sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dalis defending well though.
Nieto thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dalis's head.
Nieto thows a huge punch but Dalis dodges it nicely.
Dalis on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nieto tries to pass to full mount but Dalis defends it.
Nieto is taking a breather. Dalis says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
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. Nieto connects with a nice short shot to Dalis's temple.
Nieto thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dalis's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dalis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dalis moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Dalis wants to sweep but no luck.
Nieto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dalis swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nieto has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dalis wants to stand but Nieto is controlling the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nieto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nieto postures up.
Nieto throwing strikes from guard but Dalis blocks nicely.
Dalis working a defensive guard here.
Dalis is looking to stand up but Nieto isn't so interested in that idea.
Nieto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieto trying to control the position from guard on top but Dalis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dalis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nieto trying to control the position from guard on top but Dalis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dalis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dalis is trying to hold Nieto in close to prevent damage but Nieto has managed to pass into half guard.
Nieto is pressing down on Dalis's thigh, looking to free his foot. Dalis is holding on for now.
Nieto works his way into side control.
Dalis on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Dalis is not content to let Nieto control the position.
Nieto lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dalis manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Dalis is trying to control but can't.
Nieto thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dalis's head.
Nieto passes into side control, despite Dalis's attempt to control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dalis can't do much from the bottom here.
Nieto tries to score with some ground and pound. Dalis controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Dalis tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nieto wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dalis avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Nieto.
Nieto in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The strikes coming from Nieto are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandre Nieto dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dalis tries a low kick but Nieto avoids it.
Dalis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nieto pinned against the cage. Nieto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice shot by Nieto.

Nieto drives through with a takedown into Dalis's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Nieto trying to control the position from guard on top but Dalis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dalis keeping full guard, as Nieto tries to pass.
Nieto lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Dalis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nieto wants to control from the top but Dalis keeps moving.
Dalis looking to control.
Dalis managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieto trying to control the position from guard on top but Dalis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Dalis gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nieto needs to keep his hands up - Dalis had a free shot at his head there.
Dalis scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nieto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dalis.
Nieto throws a jab but it's blocked by Dalis.
Nieto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dalis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nieto somewhat.
Dalis misses with a hook.
Dalis misses with a wild body shot.
Dalis tries to work over Nieto's front leg with a kick but Nieto checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nieto takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Nieto shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The referee warns Dalis that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dalis really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
BOOM! Nieto connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Nieto breaks from Dalis's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Dalis is in a horrible position here. Nieto smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Nieto fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Dalis slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Alexandre Nieto has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dalis holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Nieto looks to land a strike but Dalis avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nieto accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nieto throwing strikes from guard but Dalis blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nieto trying to control but Dalis is working from the bottom.
Dalis is trying to keep Nieto in close.
Nieto throwing strikes from guard but Dalis blocks nicely.
Nieto wants to pass the guard but Dalis is keeping the position.
Nieto lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nieto trying to control the position from guard on top but Dalis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dalis is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Dalis keeping full guard, as Nieto tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dalis has Nieto pulled in close to control his posture.
Dalis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Haer Dalis just wasn't active enough.
Nieto chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dalis can pounce on him.
A swing and a miss from Nieto.
Dalis waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nieto.
Crunch! Dalis slams his shin into Nieto's torso.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dalis jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Dalis checks a leg kick nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A combination from Nieto does no damage.
Good work by Nieto as he checks the leg kick.
Dalis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nieto misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandre Nieto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nieto avoids the head kick by Dalis.
Dalis tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nieto swings for the body but Dalis moves out of range.
Dalis throws a body punch but Nieto moves out of range.
Dalis throws a low kick, looking for Nieto's leg but Nieto calmly moves out of range.
Dalis scoring well with a low kick there.
Nieto throws a body punch but Dalis moves out of range.
Nieto shoots in looking for a takedown. Dalis tries to sprawl out of it but Nieto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dalis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Haer Dalis is winning the standup battle so far.
Dalis connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nieto's hands.
Nieto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dalis was well out of range. Poor timing from Nieto.
Dalis uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nieto.

Nieto closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Dalis quickly recovers to half guard.
Dalis tries to get to full guard but Nieto has control of the leg.
Nieto is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Dalis reverses the position - he's now on top in Nieto's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dalis passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Nieto is looking to reverse the position.
Dalis wants to control but Nieto is keeping him busy.
Nieto wants to control but Dalis postures up.
Nieto keeps Dalis under control for a moment.
Nieto is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dalis working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Nieto gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Dalis scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Dalis prevents Nieto from getting the reversal.
Nieto is squirming around, avoiding Dalis's attempts to control the action.
Dalis looking to finish Nieto with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nieto!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dalis fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Dalis sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Dalis trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Dalis cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Nieto tries to hold on but Dalis pushes him away.
Dalis lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Nieto is looking to get to half guard.
Dalis wants to control the pace but Nieto is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieto is trying desperately to improve position.
Dalis trying to control but Nieto is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nieto regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haer Dalis clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Dalis throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nieto misses with a low kick.
Nieto thuds a left hand into Dalis's body.
Nieto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That kick from Dalis tenderised Nieto's leg. Nieto is trying to keep his angry face on.
A jab from Nieto finds it's way through Dalis's defenses.
Dalis keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dalis dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nieto. That did some damage!
Nieto feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Daliss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nieto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nieto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Dalis is able to avoid easily.
Dalis throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Dalis thumps Nieto with a low kick.
Nieto is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A bone on bone clash there as Nieto blocks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dalis throws a jab but it's blocked by Nieto.
Nieto misses the shot to the body.
Nieto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nieto misses with a leg kick.
Dalis scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Dalis changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nieto throws a series of punches but Dalis moves out of range.
Nieto is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Dalis misses with a double jab.
Dalis looks to land a combination but Nieto avoids it well.
Nieto throws a hook but Dalis blocks it.
Nieto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dalis was well out of range. Poor timing from Nieto.

Nieto scores with a takedown into Dalis's guard.
Dalis lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Nieto!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dalis controlling from mount.
Dalis with good strikes from the mount here!
Dalis with the ground and pound from mount.
Nieto taking shots to the head.
Nieto tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dalis lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Dalis cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Dalis tries to control but Nieto wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dalis content just to control the position here.
Nieto tries to reverse the position but Dalis maintains control.
Dalis lands a heavy elbow.
Dalis lands a big elbow.
Nieto tries to hold on but Dalis pushes him away.
Nieto tries to reverse the position but Dalis maintains control.
Dalis can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nieto is looking to escape.
Nieto is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieto sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dalis perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nieto gets full guard.
Dalis looking to sit in guard and control but Nieto gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Nieto wants to control from the top but Dalis keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nieto seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Dalis trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haer Dalis had his way with Alexandre Nieto in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nieto dips to his left and cracks Dalis with an uppercut!
Dalis darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nieto misses with a straight left.
Nieto looks to score with a jab to the body but Dalis is just out of range.

Nieto looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Dalis!
Nieto controlling his opponent.
Dalis tries to hold on but Nieto pushes him away.
Dalis is looking to improve his position but Nieto isn't that keen on the idea.
Dalis wants to control but Nieto is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Nieto thowing shots but they're missing.
Dalis is in a horrible position here. Nieto smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Dalis is working to get back to half guard.
Nieto lands a big shot there that rocks Dalis but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Nieto lands a big shot there that rocks Dalis but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
BOOM! Nieto connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Dalis is squirming around, avoiding Nieto's attempts to control the action.
Nieto scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Dalis?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nieto punishing his opponent with strikes.
Dalis tries to hold on but Nieto pushes him away.
Nieto with a couple of short strikes.
Dalis avoids a series of strikes thrown by Nieto.
Nieto prevents Dalis from getting the reversal.
Nieto scoring with strikes but Dalis is staying in there.
Nieto can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dalis is looking to escape.
Nieto landing strikes from the mount.
Dalis is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Dalis keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Nieto trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieto landing punches.
Dalis wants to control but Nieto is having none of it.
Nieto lands a big elbow.
Dalis bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Nieto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Nieto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dalis throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nieto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nieto working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dalis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dalis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nieto looking for a sweep. Not yet Nieto, not yet.
Nieto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dalis wants to pass the guard but Nieto is keeping the position.
Dalis looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nieto is on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexandre Nieto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nieto 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:48
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexandre Nieto! Alexandre Nieto retains his lightweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Alexandre Nieto thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.