PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jay Pound (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pound comes to the cage accompanied by When I'm Gone - Eminem. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pound
vs
Nikolaev

171 cm
20
162 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
24
165 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Polskie Odżywki/ Polish Nutrition [PL]

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jay Pound!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Nikolaev!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Illya Tyunina and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pound throws a body punch but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Pound has his takedown stuffed
and Nikolaev counters with a straight right hand.
Pound digs a good hook to Nikolaev's body.
Pound uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikolaev.
Vladimir Nikolaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikolaev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pound.
Nikolaev connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Jay Pound has been cut.
Nikolaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nikolaev ducks under a wild hook from Pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pound takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Pound closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nikolaev did well to prevent Pound getting side control.
Nikolaev wants to get back to his feet.
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.
Pound takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Pound'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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jay Pound.
Pound thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pound dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nikolaev slips a straight right by Pound.
Pound fails with the takedown
and Nikolaev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jay Pound. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikolaev throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Pound at a distance.
Pound tries for a takedown but Nikolaev circles away easily
and Nikolaev counters with a straight right hand.
Nikolaev connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nikolaev moves in looking to clinch but Pound pushes him off.
Pound uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikolaev.
Pound ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pound misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nikolaev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pound.
Danga de danga de dang - Pound scores with a four punch combination!
Pound uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev throws the left hand but Pound avoids the punch easily.
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!
Pound shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nikolaev defends it nicely.
Pound fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Nikolaev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jay Pound'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.

Nikolaev lands an overhand right.
Nikolaev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pound shoots for a double leg takedown but Nikolaev sprawls well. He's pushed Pound's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pound drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nikolaev slips under a jab.

Nikolaev closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Pound quickly recovers to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pound blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pound does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nikolaev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nikolaev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nikolaev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Pound is trying to control but can't.
Nikolaev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pound wants to get back to full guard.
Nikolaev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Pound blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev looks to land a strike but Pound avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Nikolaev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Pound's head.
Nikolaev trying to control but Pound is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pound is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nikolaev distracts Pound with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikolaev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nikolaev trying to control but Pound is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikolaev controls from within his opponent's guard.
Nikolaev looking to sit in guard and control but Pound gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev wants to get back to his feet but Pound is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jay Pound wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Pound closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nikolaev quickly recovers to half guard.
Nikolaev wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pound stalling away here and it's allowed Nikolaev to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Pound prevents Nikolaev from getting back to his feet.
Pound trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pound stays in close to Nikolaev's body and controls the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jay Pound just wasn't active enough.
Pound avoids the body shot from Nikolaev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Nikolaev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jay Pound's cut.
That's time! Pound's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nikolaev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nikolaev lands a nice uppercut.
Nikolaev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev lands a left hand.
Nikolaev prevents the takedown attempt.
Pound is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nikolaev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nikolaev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nikolaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Pound uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikolaev lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nikolaev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nikolaev lands a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pound backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nikolaev.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nikolaev pushes Pound back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nikolaev working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Pound has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nikolaev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jay Pound. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikolaev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pound backwards.
Nikolaev lands with a right to the head.
Nikolaev displaying some good clinch control by pressing Pound up against the cage.
Nikolaev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikolaev lands with a right to the head.
Nikolaev lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev lands a shoulder strike.
Vladimir Nikolaev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nikolaev creates some distance for himselfand unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Pound's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Pound drops to his knees and Nikolaev pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:14 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vladimir Nikolaev!