PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Theo Nickson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junior dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Nickson
vs
dos Santos

183 cm
20
160 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

181 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Theo Nickson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Junior dos Santos!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from dos Santos does no damage.

Nickson forces dos Santos back against the cage and clinches.

Nickson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
dos Santos goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nickson is looking to chop away at dos Santos's legs.
dos Santos will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
dos Santos fails to land the takedown.
Nickson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
dos Santos tries a head kick but it misses.
A combination from dos Santos does no damage.
Junior dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
dos Santos needs to keep his hands up - Nickson had a free shot at his head there.
dos Santos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nickson throws a push kick but dos Santos slaps the foot to one side.
dos Santos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nickson circles away.
Theo Nickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior dos Santos.
dos Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
Nickson misses the shot to the body.
Nickson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from dos Santos.
Nickson blocks a head kick by dos Santos.
Nickson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
dos Santos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No luck for dos Santos with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dos Santos goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nickson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nickson misses with a body kick.
Nickson blocks a head kick by dos Santos.
dos Santos tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nickson swivels and escapes.
dos Santos shoots in looking for a takedown. Nickson tries to sprawl out of it but dos Santos keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nickson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nickson misses with a looping right.

Nickson gets a clinch.
dos Santos fails to pull guard.
dos Santos tries to pull guard but Nickson won't allow it.
dos Santos drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nickson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nickson throws a series of punches but dos Santos avoids them all with ease.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from dos Santos.
Nickson misses with the combination.
dos Santos avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos misses with a double jab.
dos Santos has a takedown stuffed.
No luck for dos Santos with that takedown attempt.
dos Santos looks gassed!
dos Santos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nickson throws a sloppy head kick and dos Santos moves out of range easily.
dos Santos lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nickson misses with a jab, cross combination.

Nickson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with dos Santos, pushing him back against the cage.
dos Santos tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nickson is looking to break free of the clinch but dos Santos has double underhooks.
Nickson is trying to break free.
Nickson is trying to break free.

Nickson breaks from the clinch.
dos Santos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nickson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Good work by dos Santos as he checks the leg kick.
dos Santos lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nickson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
dos Santos blocks a low kick nicely.
dos Santos fails with the takedown.
Nickson tries to work over dos Santos's front leg with a kick but dos Santos checks it.
Nickson misses with a jab, cross combination.
A nice combination there by dos Santos.
Nickson swings for the body but dos Santos moves out of range.
Nickson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nickson.
Nickson tries to land a front kick but dos Santos steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
dos Santos shoots in looking for a takedown. Nickson tries to sprawl out of it but dos Santos keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nickson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nickson tries to clinch up but dos Santos circles away and keeps his distance.
Nickson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by dos Santos.
A head kick from dos Santos lands but Nickson takes it in his stride.

Nickson pushes dos Santos up against the cage in a clinch.
Nickson lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickson prevents the takedown attempt.
Nickson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but dos Santos has him pressed against the cage.
Nickson is trying to break the clinch but dos Santos has him pressed against the cage.
dos Santos tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nickson smiles and moves away.
dos Santos shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nickson pinned against the cage. Nickson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A head kick from dos Santos lands but Nickson takes it in his stride.
Nickson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jab from Nickson.
dos Santos tries for a takedown but Nickson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nickson throws a hook but dos Santos avoids it easily.
Theo Nickson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Nickson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
dos Santos fails to pull guard.

Nickson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nickson throws a body kick that misses.
Nickson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nickson stuffs the takedown attempt from dos Santos. dos Santos gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theo Nickson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nickson throws a body punch but dos Santos moves out of range.
dos Santos throws a head kick that Nickson semi-blocks.
dos Santos lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nickson backs up against the cage.
dos Santos throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nickson.
dos Santos shoots in but no luck this time.
Nickson throws a right hand that dos Santos ducks under and follows up with a left that dos Santos also avoids with ease.
Nickson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nickson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by dos Santos. dos Santos obviously looking to wear him down.
A head kick misses from dos Santos.
Nice takedown defense from Nickson. No joy for dos Santos on that attempt.
dos Santos changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nickson tries to avoid it but dos Santos manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nickson to the ground. Nickson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Theo Nickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior dos Santos.
dos Santos avoids a kick to the body.
Nickson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by dos Santos.
dos Santos tries for a takedown but Nickson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
dos Santos shoots in looking for a takedown. Nickson tries to sprawl out of it but dos Santos keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nickson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Nickson moves into the clinch successfully.

Nickson breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
dos Santos works over Nickson's head and body with a nice combination.
dos Santos throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nickson's head.
dos Santos fails to land the takedown.
dos Santos fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nickson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
dos Santos shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nickson as he jumps to the side.
dos Santos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Nickson.
Nickson throws a body kick that misses.
dos Santos misses with a takedown attempt - Nickson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nickson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from dos Santos.
No joy there for dos Santos, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nickson tries to work over dos Santos's front leg with a kick but dos Santos checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
dos Santos moves out of range of the body kick from Nickson.
Nickson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but dos Santos moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Theo Nickson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nickson stuffs the takedown.
Nickson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nickson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
dos Santos shoots in but Nickson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A right-left combo lands from dos Santos.
A clash of legs there as dos Santos blocks the low kick.
Nickson is looking to wear down dos Santos with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Nickson misses with a two punch combination.
No luck for dos Santos with that takedown attempt.
dos Santos shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nickson pinned against the cage. Nickson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
dos Santos slips a jab and a cross from Nickson.
dos Santos shoots in but Nickson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nickson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos looks to land a combination. Nickson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nickson dodges the punch combination from dos Santos.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from dos Santos.
A head kick from dos Santos lands but Nickson takes it in his stride.
dos Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
dos Santos moves out of range of the body kick.
dos Santos shoots in but Nickson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nickson closes this distance looking for a takedown but dos Santos circles away.
dos Santos on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nickson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
dos Santos takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
dos Santos swinging wilding here.
dos Santos blocks the body kick.
Nickson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Theo Nickson is winning the standup battle so far.
Nickson throws a push kick but dos Santos slaps the foot to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos closes the distance and clinches up with Nickson, looking for a takedown. dos Santos pushes Nickson against the cage but Nickson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Nickson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with dos Santos, pushing him back against the cage.

Nickson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
dos Santos has his takedown stuffed

and Nickson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Nickson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nickson misses with a wild combination.
dos Santos swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A choreographed right hand from Nickson misses the target.
Nickson throws a leg kick but dos Santos moved away.
dos Santos throws a right and a left that Nickson avoids nicely.
dos Santos throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nickson throws a looping overhand right but dos Santos ducks down to avoid it.
dos Santos throws a nice head kick!
dos Santos misses with the combination.
dos Santos tries for a takedown but Nickson circles away easily
and Nickson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nickson throws an overhand right that lands on dos Santos's shoulder, as dos Santos tries to avoid the shot.
dos Santos throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theo Nickson dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

dos Santos shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nickson as he jumps to the side.
Nickson tries a head kick but it misses.

dos Santos darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
dos Santos stops Nickson from getting back to his feet.
Nickson pushes dos Santos off but dos Santos dives into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nickson is pushing dos Santos's head away, looking to escape. dos Santos manages to hold on to the position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nickson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
dos Santos gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nickson counters by moving into the clinch.
dos Santos tries to pull guard but Nickson holds him up against the cage and eventually dos Santos drops back down to his feet.
Theo Nickson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior dos Santos.
dos Santos tries for a takedown but Nickson manages to get underhooks.

Nickson breaks from the clinch.
Nickson throws a solid leg kick but dos Santos takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nickson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Nickson moves into the clinch.

Nickson manages to break the clinch.
dos Santos shoots and misses

and Nickson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Nickson breaks the clinch.
dos Santos takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nickson scores with a spinning back kick!
Nickson lands a glancing blow to the side of dos Santos's head.
Nickson misses with a jab, cross combination.

Nickson drives through and clinches with dos Santos against the cage.
dos Santos looking for a takedown.

Nickson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
dos Santos changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nickson tries to avoid it but dos Santos manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nickson to the ground. Nickson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
dos Santos keeps the fight on the outside.
dos Santos misses with a takedown
and Nickson counters with a left and a right that stings dos Santos.
dos Santos lands a jab-cross combination.
Left hook, right uppercut from dos Santos.
dos Santos misses with a takedown attempt - Nickson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
dos Santos scores with a one two! Nickson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for dos Santos, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nickson looks to land a combination but dos Santos avoids it well.
dos Santos misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
dos Santos lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Nickson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but dos Santos checks it well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from dos Santos.
Nickson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Nickson drives through and clinches with dos Santos against the cage.
dos Santos keeps control of Nickson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
dos Santos keeps control of Nickson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
dos Santos changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nickson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nickson throws a wild body kick that dos Santos sees coming a mile off.
Nickson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but dos Santos moves away.
dos Santos shoots in but no luck this time.
Nickson misses with a low kick as dos Santos jumps back.
dos Santos shoots for a double leg takedown but Nickson sprawls well. He's pushed dos Santos's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nickson throws the left hand but dos Santos avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickson throws a hook but dos Santos avoids it easily.
dos Santos shoots in for a takedown but Nickson shows good takedown defense.
dos Santos shoots in and drives through. Nickson sprawls well.
Nickson stalks dos Santos and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into dos Santos's face. dos Santos staggers backwards, shaken.
dos Santos fails to land the takedown.
Nickson stuffs the takedown attempt from dos Santos. dos Santos gets slowly back to his feet.
dos Santos scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Nickson moves into range and clinches up with dos Santos.
dos Santos changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nickson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nickson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
dos Santos lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
dos Santos looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
dos Santos blocks a leg kick.
Junior dos Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
dos Santos will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

And that's the end of the fight!
Theo Nickson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nickson, 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Theo Nickson!