PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johan Nickson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Geek Fighter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Geek Fighter has chosen One More Saturday Night as his entrance music. 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.

Nickson
vs
Geek Fighter

190 cm
22
190 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

186 cm
25
185 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johan Nickson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mark Geek Fighter!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Geek Fighter moves into range and clinches up with Nickson.
Nickson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Geek Fighter takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Mark Geek Fighter has been cut.
Nickson is pressed up against the cage. Geek Fighter has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nickson down to the mat. Nickson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nickson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nickson moves in looking to clinch but Geek Fighter pushes him off.

Geek Fighter moves into the clinch.
Nickson misses with a knee to the head.
Nickson missing with knees to the body.
Nickson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Geek Fighter is defending well for now.
The referee is keeping an eye on Nickson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nickson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nickson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nickson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nickson tries to break free but Geek Fighter pushes him back against the cage.
Geek Fighter is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nickson is defending well for now.
Nickson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knees to the body from Nickson.
Nickson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Geek Fighter is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nickson prevents a body shot from Geek Fighter.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nickson tries to stall but Geek Fighter uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Geek Fighter lands a takedown into guard.
Geek Fighter sitting in guard here, content to control.
Geek Fighter preventing the sweep.
Nickson wants to stand but Geek Fighter is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Geek Fighter controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Geek Fighter postures up.
Nickson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nickson tries to get out of the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Geek Fighter avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nickson throws a series of punches but Geek Fighter moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Geek Fighter fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nickson avoids it really well and circles away.

Nickson moves into range and clinches up with Geek Fighter.

Geek Fighter breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nickson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nickson tries to clinch

and Geek Fighter counters with a single leg into guard. Nickson didn't expect that.
Geek Fighter tries to free his leg and advance position but Nickson is retaining full guard.
Geek Fighter controls from within his opponent's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Geek Fighter's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Geek Fighter pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nickson is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Geek Fighter passes into half guard.
Geek Fighter looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
It looks like Geek Fighter might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Let's hope that Geek Fighter has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mark Geek Fighter wasn't active enough on the ground.
Nickson fails in his attempt to clinch.
No luck for Nickson with that takedown attempt.

Nickson has closed the distance and engaged Geek Fighter in a clinch.
Nickson scores a nice knee to the body.

Geek Fighter turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Nickson is looking to reverse the position.
Nickson can't do much from the bottom here.
Nickson is trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Nickson's face as Geek Fighter controls the position.
Geek Fighter wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nickson keeps working.
Geek Fighter controlling the position from side mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mark Geek Fighter.

Geek Fighter gets a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Geek Fighter dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mark Geek Fighter's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nickson tries to keep at a distance but Geek Fighter has taken the fight into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nickson managing to block the knees to the body from Geek Fighter.

Geek Fighter wants the takedown. Nickson is fighting it off but Geek Fighter persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Nickson's guard against the cage.
Geek Fighter prevents Nickson from getting back to his feet.
Nickson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Geek Fighter not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Nickson keeping moving, preventing Geek Fighter from controlling successfully.
Geek Fighter stands and throws Nickson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Geek Fighter takes a little break here. Nickson wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Nickson is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Nickson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Geek Fighter wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Geek Fighter is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Nickson will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Nickson is looking for a sweep.
Geek Fighter content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Nickson is trying to control Geek Fighter's posture but Geek Fighter avoids it.
Nickson being controlled for a moment.

Mark Geek Fighter has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Geek Fighter shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Nickson eats them both and turns towards Geek Fighter to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickson tries to close the distance and clinch but Geek Fighter swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nickson tries to clinch but Geek Fighter is having none of it.
Nickson has his takedown stuffed
and Geek Fighter counters with a left and a right that stings Nickson.
Geek Fighter lands an overhand right.
Johan Nickson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nickson tries to clinch up but Geek Fighter circles away and keeps his distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Geek Fighter has taken the fight to the clinch.
Johan Nickson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Geek Fighter tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nickson avoids it.
Nickson has Geek Fighter pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Geek Fighter manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nickson gets underhooks to prevent Geek Fighter's takedown attempt.
Geek Fighter missing with knees to the body.
Nickson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Nickson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Geek Fighter fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nickson, pushing him back against the cage.
Geek Fighter tries for a takedown but Nickson manages to get underhooks.
Geek Fighter has Nickson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nickson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Johan Nickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Geek Fighter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nickson is fighting off a takedown attempt but Geek Fighter is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Nickson to the mat. Nickson regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Nickson wants to sweep here but Geek Fighter controlling him for the moment.
Nickson trying to control the position.
Geek Fighter throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nickson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Geek Fighter stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nickson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Geek Fighter wants to control from the top but Nickson keeps moving.
Nickson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Johan Nickson.
Geek Fighter stuns Nickson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nickson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A right-left combo lands from Geek Fighter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Geek Fighter drives through and clinches with Nickson against the cage.
Nickson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Geek Fighter tries for a takedown but Nickson manages to get underhooks.
Geek Fighter lands a knee to the body.
Nickson fails to pull guard.

Nickson breaks the clinch.
Nickson shoots for a double leg takedown but Geek Fighter sprawls well. He's pushed Nickson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nickson has his takedown stuffed

and Geek Fighter counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nickson won't be happy with that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Geek Fighter controlling the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Geek Fighter gets to mount! Nickson was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Geek Fighter content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Geek Fighter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mark Geek Fighter's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Geek Fighter looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Geek Fighter prevents Nickson from standing back up.
Nickson has his hands clasped together around Geek Fighter's back. He's all about the action.
Nickson is looking to escape.
Geek Fighter not doing much here.
Geek Fighter thows a huge punch but Nickson dodges it nicely.
Nickson is trying to stand.
Geek Fighter lands strikes from half guard.
Geek Fighter not doing much here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Geek Fighter tries to pass the half guard into mount. Nickson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Geek Fighter trying to control the pace.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nickson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Geek Fighter is fending him off so far but Nickson persists. Nope, Geek Fighter circles away and we're back to standing.

Geek Fighter has Nickson up against the cage in a clinch.
Geek Fighter has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Geek Fighter avoiding damage as Nickson throws knees to the body.
Geek Fighter looking to slow down the pace here.
Geek Fighter drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nickson is trying to drag Geek Fighter to the mat but Geek Fighter just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Nickson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Geek Fighter lands a nice uppercut.
Geek Fighter is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nickson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Geek Fighter is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nickson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Geek Fighter blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nickson tries to break the clinch but Geek Fighter is controlling the position.

Nickson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nickson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Geek Fighter counters with a left and a right that stings Nickson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johan Nickson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Geek Fighter moves into range and clinches up with Nickson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Geek Fighter keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nickson's efforts to push away.
Nickson landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nickson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Geek Fighter pushes Nickson up against the cage in a clinch.
Nickson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nickson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nickson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Geek Fighter just stands there and leans against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Geek Fighter.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nickson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Geek Fighter's defenses.

Geek Fighter manages to break the clinch.
Nickson misses with a hook. Geek Fighter ducked under it nicely.
Geek Fighter avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nickson tries to clinch up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nickson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Geek Fighter moves into range and clinches up with Nickson.
Nickson misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Geek Fighter drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nickson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Stalling in the clinch from Geek Fighter.
Geek Fighter can't get the takedown.
Geek Fighter misses with a knee to the head.
Geek Fighter changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nickson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Geek Fighter forces Nickson back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch on the inside from Nickson fails to land.
Geek Fighter drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Geek Fighter managing to block the knees to the body from Nickson.
Nickson scores with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Mark Geek Fighter just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Mark Geek Fighter's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A head kick misses from Geek Fighter.
Nickson looks to land a combination. Geek Fighter sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nickson doesn't manage to clinch there - Geek Fighter circles away.
Nickson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Geek Fighter counters with a three punch combo that has Nickson backing up. Nickson nods at Geek Fighter to acknowledge the strikes.

Geek Fighter has closed the distance and engaged Nickson in a clinch.
Geek Fighter trying to stall but Nickson improves his position.

Nickson manages to break the clinch.
Geek Fighter pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nickson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Geek Fighter manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nickson tries to clinch there but Geek Fighter circles away.

Nickson closes the distance and clinches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nickson breaks from the clinch.
Nickson wants to clinch.

Geek Fighter closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nickson quickly recovers to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Geek Fighter seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Nickson trying to control here.
Nickson pushes Geek Fighter off looking to stand but Geek Fighter dives back in and keeps control.
Nickson wants to improve his position but Geek Fighter is controlling well.
Geek Fighter landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Geek Fighter perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nickson is trying to control but can't.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Geek Fighter takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nickson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Nickson tries to land a front kick but Geek Fighter steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Geek Fighter slips a jab and a cross from Nickson.
Nickson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Geek Fighter manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Geek Fighter forces Nickson back against the cage and clinches.
Nickson is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Geek Fighter pulls guard effortlessly.
Nickson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Geek Fighter looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Nickson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Geek Fighter's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Geek Fighter looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mark Geek Fighter was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Nickson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Geek Fighter takes the fight into the clinch.
Geek Fighter looking for a takedown.
Geek Fighter lands with a light punch inside.
Nickson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Nickson manages to break the clinch.
Nickson catches Geek Fighter with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nickson scores with a push kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Geek Fighter closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Geek Fighter is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Johan Nickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Geek Fighter.
Nickson with a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Geek Fighter breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nickson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Geek Fighter shoots in for a double leg but Nickson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Nickson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Geek Fighter goes for a takedown attempt but Nickson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Geek Fighter.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nickson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Geek Fighter but Geek Fighter pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Geek Fighter keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Johan Nickson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mark Geek Fighter's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nickson fails with a takedown attempt.
Geek Fighter fails to land the takedown.
Johan Nickson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nickson tries to clinch there but Geek Fighter circles away.
Nickson tries to close the distance and clinch but Geek Fighter swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Geek Fighter fails to land the takedown.

Nickson closes the distance and clinches.
Geek Fighter is trying to break the clinch but Nickson has him pressed against the cage.
Nickson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Geek Fighter.
Geek Fighter lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nickson backwards.
Geek Fighter tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nickson lands an elbow that stopped Geek Fighter in his tracks for a moment.
Nickson missing with knees to the body.
Geek Fighter on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Geek Fighter tries for a takedown but Nickson manages to get underhooks.
Johan Nickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Geek Fighter.
Geek Fighter stalling against the cage.

Nickson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nickson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Geek Fighter paws at him with a jab and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Geek Fighter is trying to maintain a safe position but Nickson gets an underhook and turns Geek Fighter into the cage.
Nice elbow from Nickson.
Nickson lands a good knee to the midsection. Geek Fighter won't want to take too many of those.
Geek Fighter is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Nickson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Nickson moves into the clinch successfully.

Geek Fighter pulls guard successfully.
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!
Geek Fighter is pulling down on Nickson's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickson wants to pass the guard but Geek Fighter is keeping the position.
Nickson wants to stand and escape but instead Geek Fighter has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Geek Fighter slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Nickson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Geek Fighter!
Nickson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Geek Fighter is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickson is really struggling to control Geek Fighter but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Geek Fighter manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Nickson seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Mark Geek Fighter has got the better of the ground game so far.
Geek Fighter trying to control but Nickson postures up.

Geek Fighter has one foot on Nickson's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Geek Fighter scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Geek Fighter controlling the pace.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Nickson wants to get back to his feet.
Geek Fighter passes to side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nickson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Geek Fighter content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Nickson is trying to buck Geek Fighter off.

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 Johan Nickson.
I think Geek Fighter 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Mark Geek Fighter!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Mark Geek Fighter!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Mark Geek Fighter!

Mark Geek Fighter wins by unanimous decision!
Mark Geek Fighter managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, KAISER, into his post fight interview.