PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalash Nikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couture comes to the cage accompanied by Mama said knock you out. Nikov has chosen Konala Cartelli - Jep Jep Joo ( feat. Solonen ) as his entrance music. Kalash Nikov has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Couture
vs
Nikov

175 cm
31
156 lbs
28 - 9 - 2

174 cm
26
158 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Punishment Nutrition - All 159Q products now $75

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Brandon Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kalash Nikov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Jeff Smith and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Couture circles away.
Couture fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nikov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nikov throws a sloppy head kick and Couture moves out of range easily.
Nikov is looking to clinch.
Nikov blocks a jab.
Couture on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nikov. Nikov obviously looking to wear him down.
Nikov looks to land a body kick but Couture moved away.
Couture takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nikov throws a nice looking combination but Couture bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nikov is looking to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nikov. Couture does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kalash Nikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Nikov.
Couture bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Couture sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kalash Nikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikov throws a head kick that misses.
Nikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Couture circles away quickly and effectively.
Nikov swinging wildly here.
Nikov moves out of range of the body kick.
Nikov throws a sloppy head kick and Couture moves out of range easily.
Nikov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nikov is looking to clinch.
Nikov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Couture checks the leg kick.
Nikov tries to clinch

and Couture counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Couture working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Couture trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Couture landing with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikov wants to sweep here but Couture controlling him for the moment.
Couture has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture postures up.
Nikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Couture stops Nikov from standing up.
Couture trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Couture with a flurry of punches that miss.
Couture throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nikov wants to get back to his feet but Couture is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Couture passes Nikov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Couture thows a huge punch but Nikov dodges it nicely.
Nikov tries to kick Couture off but Couture keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Couture missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Couture wants to work for an arm triangle but Nikov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikov regains full guard. Nicely done.

Nikov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Couture thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nikov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nikov misses with a double jab
and Couture counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nikov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Couture checks it well.
Nikov throws the left hand but Couture avoids the punch easily.
Couture missing with a left hand there. Nikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A clash of legs there as Couture blocks the low kick.
Couture shoots in looking for a takedown. Nikov tries to sprawl out of it but Couture keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nikov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikov blocks the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikov scoring well with a low kick there.
A head kick misses from Nikov.
Nikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Couture swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nikov thuds a left hand into Couture's body.
Couture finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nikov throws a body punch but Couture moves out of range.
Couture throws a jab when Nikov was well out of range.
Nikov throws a right hand that Couture ducks under and follows up with a left that Couture also avoids with ease.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Couture closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nikov circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Couture avoids a kick to the body.
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 Brandon Couture will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Couture fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nikov checks it well.
Couture circles away from the clinch attempt
and Couture counters with a straight right hand.
Nikov gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Couture counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Couture throws a head kick but Nikov moves out of range.
Nikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Couture swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nikov connects with a leg kick. Couture looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Couture misses with a hook. Nikov ducked under it nicely.
Couture misses with a body kick.
Nikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nikov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Couture doesn't seem bothered though.
Nikov thows a leg kick but Couture checks it
and Couture counters with a head kick.

Nikov is rocked!
Nikov tries to clinch up.
Nikov is still on wobbly legs! Can Couture finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture misses with an uppercut.
Nikov seems to have recovered his senses.

Nikov closes the distance and clinches.
Nikov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Nikov breaks the clinch.
Nikov tries a low kick but Couture avoids it.
Couture feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Nikovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Couture takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nikov lands a leg kick that knocks Couture off balance momentarily.
Nice takedown defense from Nikov. No joy for Couture on that attempt.
A punch combination from Nikov misses.
Nikov connects with a leg kick. Couture looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nikov lands with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikov throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nikov.
Nikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nikov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nikov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Couture circles away from the clinch attempt
and Couture counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Couture takes one to the chin there.
Couture moves into range and connects with a jab.
Couture avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kalash Nikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nikov misses with a few strikes there.
Nikov connects with a leg kick. Couture looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikov lands with a kick to the ribs.
Couture avoids the head kick by Nikov.
Nikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Couture.
Nikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kalash Nikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nikov moves out of range of the body kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Nikov.

Nikov clinches up against the cage.
Couture managing to block the knees to the body from Nikov.
Nikov is looking to break free of the clinch but Couture has double underhooks.

Couture has Nikov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Couture pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Nikov tumbling to the mat - Couture dives into Nikov's guard.
Nikov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikov keeping moving, preventing Couture from controlling successfully.
Couture slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
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!
Couture advances to full mount.
Nikov tries to reverse the position but Couture maintains control.
Nikov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Nikov tries to buck Couture off but he can't manage it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Couture lands with some strikes.
Couture lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
BOOM! Couture connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Nikov is trying desperately to improve position.
Couture scoring with strikes but Nikov is staying in there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Brandon Couture will probably get the nod.
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!

Nikov wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nikov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Couture.
Nikov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Couture scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nikov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Couture throws a big shot that misses.
Couture sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Couture throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Nikov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Couture is in Nikov's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture won't allow Nikov to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Couture passes into half guard.
Couture with the ground and pound but Nikov uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Nikov wants to stand up but Couture is controlling him.
Nikov working a defensive guard here.
Nikov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Couture postures up in Nikov's guard and throws a big left but Nikov blocks it.
Couture wants to pass the guard but Nikov is keeping the position.

Couture drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Nikov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Couture has Nikov in his guard.
Couture keeping moving, preventing Nikov from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikov 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.
Nikov trying to control but Couture is working from the bottom.
Brandon Couture overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Kalash Nikov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Nikov tries to clinch there but Couture circles away.
Nikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Couture throws a low kick but Nikov moves out of range easily.
Couture thumps Nikov with a low kick.
Couture shoots for a double leg takedown but Nikov sprawls well. He's pushed Couture's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Couture throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Nikov counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Nikov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Couture is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Couture gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Nikov trying to keep a closed guard but Couture is proving a slippery customer.
Nikov wants to get back to his feet but Couture is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Couture is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Couture won't allow Nikov to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Couture looking to pass the guard.

Nikov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kalash Nikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Couture tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nikov smiles and moves away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikov misses with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Brandon Couture.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Couture, 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:28
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Couture!
Brandon Couture managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Punishment Nutrition - All 159Q products now $75, into his post fight interview.