PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nick Skerlik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Ramirez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nick Skerlik has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Skerlik
vs
Ramirez

165 cm
27
156 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

175 cm
24
145 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

CEC Nutrition Q159 (*$75*)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nick Skerlik!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Juan Ramirez!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Donatello Bradman and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ramirez missing with a left hand there. Skerlik was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ramirez.

Ramirez tries to sprawl but Skerlik drives through with a takedown into half guard.
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.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ramirez holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Ramirez wants to control but Skerlik is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Skerlik wants to work for an arm triangle but Ramirez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ramirez can do anything to dispel that myth.

Skerlik looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Skerlik is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ramirez is just riding it out for now. Skerlik eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez is staying active underneath Skerlik, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Skerlik is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ramirez controlling the position well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skerlik works his way into side control.

Skerlik working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ramirez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Skerlik's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Skerlik is working for a kimura here but Ramirez manages to reverse the position and he's now in Skerlik's guard.
Ramirez throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ramirez distracts Skerlik with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Skerlik wants to stand but Ramirez is controlling the position.
Ramirez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Skerlik avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ramirez is looking to work some ground and pound but Skerlik has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez chips away with some ground and pound.
Ramirez stops Skerlik from standing up.
Ramirez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Skerlik. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ramirez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ramirez looking to pass the guard.

Ramirez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Skerlik is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Skerlik has escaped and now he's on top!
Ramirez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nick Skerlik will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ramirez misses with a head kick.

Skerlik shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ramirez looking for a sweep. Not yet Ramirez, not yet.
Skerlik looking to pass the guard.
Skerlik is pushing down on Ramirez's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ramirez is fighting to maintain full guard but Skerlik has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ramirez is trying to maintain the position but Skerlik is very close to passing his half guard.
Nick Skerlik overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Skerlik is looking for a kimura but Ramirez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Skerlik to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Skerlik is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ramirez has managed to free his arm - good work.
Skerlik wants to control but Ramirez is keeping him busy.

Skerlik is looking for a kimura here.
Skerlik prevents Ramirez from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez is refusing to be controlled, as Skerlik sits in half guard.

Skerlik is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ramirez defends it well.

Skerlik is trying to work for a kimura but Ramirez is defending well.
Ramirez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Skerlik is looking for a kimura but Ramirez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Skerlik to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skerlik is trying to control. Ramirez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ramirez trying to control but Skerlik postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ramirez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Skerlik slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Skerlik tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Skerlik has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez is trying to control Skerlik's posture but Skerlik avoids it.

Skerlik tries for a kimura but Ramirez is defending well.
Ramirez tries to buck Skerlik off but Skerlik is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Skerlik dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ramirez connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Skerlik momentarily.

Skerlik drives through with a takedown into Ramirez's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ramirez has his hands on Skerlik's head, controlling the position.
Skerlik stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ramirez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Skerlik trying to control but Ramirez is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skerlik stopping the sweep attempt from Ramirez.
Ramirez is pulling down on Skerlik's head to control his posture.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Juan Ramirez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Skerlik shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ramirez is trying to defend but Skerlik finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Skerlik is looking for a kimura but Ramirez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Skerlik to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skerlik is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ramirez!
Ramirez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Skerlik blocks Ramirez's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

Skerlik looking for a guillotine from mount but Ramirez is having none of it.

Skerlik is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Ramirez is surviving well by controlling Skerlik's body position as best he can.

Skerlik looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Skerlik blocks Ramirez's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Nick Skerlik is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez is desperately trying to improve his position but Skerlik has a good base and remains in mount.
Skerlik controlling his opponent.
Ramirez is squirming around, avoiding Skerlik's attempts to control the action.
Juan Ramirez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Skerlik controlling his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ramirez tries to hold on but Skerlik pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Skerlik showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Skerlik, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Skerlik!
Nick Skerlik retains his featherweight title!