PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Romano Schoots (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalash Nikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by ILL BILL & VINNIE PAZ (HEAVY METAL KINGS) - "OATH OF THE GOAT" . Romano Schoots could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Kalash Nikov's chin.

Schoots
vs
Nikov

180 cm
30
155 lbs
21 - 16 - 0

174 cm
28
158 lbs
14 - 8 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hardcore Nutrition

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 21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Romano Schoots!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Hilo, Kalash Nikov!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Chad Campbell and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schoots swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Schoots scores with a sloppy right hand. Nikov should have avoided that one.
Schoots fails with an attempt to clinch.
Schoots missing with a left hand there. Nikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Schoots lands with a cross.
Schoots uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikov.
Schoots takes a kick to the side of the head.
Schoots avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Schoots throws a shot from downtown. Nikov moves away and avoids it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Schoots.
Schoots misses the body punch
and Nikov counters with a thumping low kick.
A slow jab from Nikov misses its intended target.
Nikov misses with a low kick as Schoots jumps back.
Schoots lands a jab-cross combination.
Nikov throws a shot from downtown. Schoots moves away and avoids it.

Schoots dives in and scores a takedown into Nikov's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schoots postures up.
Schoots trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schoots won't allow Nikov to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schoots pushes down on Nikov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Schoots content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Nikov is trying to get back to full guard.
Schoots perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Schoots prevents Nikov from standing back up.
Schoots is taking a breather. Nikov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

We're going to have a standup here because Romano Schoots wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Nikov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Schoots cracks Nikov with an open hand slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nikov closes the distance and clinches.
Nikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Schoots blocks it with crossed arms.

Nikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Schoots swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nikov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Schoots missing with a left hand there. Nikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nikov throws a head kick but Schoots moves out of range.
Schoots takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Schoots tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Nikov counters with a three punch combo that has Schoots backing up. Schoots nods at Nikov to acknowledge the strikes.
Nikov looks to throw the jab but Schoots is out of range.
Nikov lands a leg kick that knocks Schoots off balance momentarily.
Schoots moves in looking to clinch but Nikov pushes him off.
Schoots throws a hook but Nikov avoids it easily.
Nikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nikov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Schoots scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Schoots scores with the left hand. Nikov knows he should have avoided that one.
Schoots rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Nikov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Schoots fails to land.
Nikov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A hook to the body from Schoots.
Schoots keeps control of Nikov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Schoots misses with some punches.
Schoots is working for takedown but Nikov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Schoots throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nikov throws a head punch that misses.
Nikov is looking to break free of the clinch but Schoots has double underhooks.
Schoots tries a body shot but Nikov blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nikov.
Nikov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Schoots blocks a body shot from Nikov.
Schoots misses with a hook to the ribs.
Schoots lands with a light punch inside.
Nikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Schoots scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schoots lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Romano Schoots has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Schoots lands a hook that snaps the head of Nikov backwards.
Schoots slowing the pace effectively.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nikov as Schoots tries to tie him up.
Schoots lands with a light punch inside.
Nikov scores a nice knee to the body.
Schoots has a couple of punches blocked by Nikov.

Nikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nikov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nikov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Schoots doesn't manage to clinch there - Nikov circles away.
Schoots circles away from the clinch attempt.
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 Romano Schoots will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Romano Schoots's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Schoots swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nikov throws a leg kick but Schoots sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Schoots instigates a clinch.
Nikov takes a shot to the head.
Schoots tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nikov wants to break the clinch but can't.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A knee to the head by Nikov.
Schoots misses with a knee strike.
Schoots lands an uppercut.
Schoots tries to stall but Nikov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Schoots with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Schoots is defending well for now.
Nikov lands a shoulder strike.
Nikov blocking some punches.
Schoots doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schoots throws a head punch that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Schoots.
Schoots lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right handed body shot lands from Schoots.
A right handed body shot lands from Nikov.

Nikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Nikov.

Nikov has closed the distance and engaged Schoots in a clinch.
Schoots slows down the pace here.
Schoots takes a shot to the head.
Schoots missing with knees to the body.
Schoots lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nikov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Schoots tries to land a knee to the head but Nikov blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikov digs a right hand underneath Schoots's ribcage. Schoots let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A right hook to the body lands for Nikov.
Schoots tries a knee to the head but Nikov blocks it.
Schoots wants to stall.
Schoots misses with a knee to the head.
A shot in the inside from Schoots.
Nikov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Schoots backwards.
Schoots with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Schoots.
Nikov working aggressively here.
Schoots scores with a shoulder strike.
Schoots tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nikov's elbow.
A short left from Nikov.
Nikov lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nikov.
Nikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Schoots lands a body punch in the clinch.
Schoots stalls.
Schoots keeps control of Nikov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Schoots trying to stall but Nikov improves his position.
Nikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Schoots as Nikov tries to tie him up.
Schoots blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Schoots looking to throw knees to the head but Nikov is blocking nicely.
Schoots working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Nikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Schoots tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nikov avoids it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nikov stalls.
Nikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Schoots uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikov takes a knee to the side of the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nikov.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Schoots with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nikov has had enough of the clinch but Schoots keeps him there for the moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Schoots using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nikov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Schoots lands an uppercut.
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 Romano Schoots will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Romano Schoots's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Schoots gets a clinch.
Schoots pushes Nikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Schoots fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Schoots is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nikov is defending well for now.
Schoots is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nikov has a couple of punches blocked by Schoots.
Nikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Schoots is defending well for now.
Nikov tries to throw a body punch but Schoots avoids it by throwing Nikov back against the cage.
Nikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Schoots backwards.
Romano Schoots has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nikov throws a head punch that misses.
Nikov scores with a shoulder strike.
Schoots blocks a body shot from Nikov.

Nikov breaks the clinch.
Schoots is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nikov.
Nikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kalash Nikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schoots takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nikov throws a head kick that misses.
Nikov moves in looking to clinch but Schoots pushes him off.
Schoots with a hook.
Nikov throws the left hand but Schoots avoids the punch easily.
Nikov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Romano Schoots seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nikov moves out of range as Schoots throws a body kick.
Nikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Schoots is just out of range.
Nikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Schoots pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nikov.
Schoots with a nice cross.
Schoots scores with a body shot.
No joy there for Nikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nikov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Schoots moves out of range as Nikov strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schoots fails to land with a series of punches.
Nikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Schoots swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Schoots throws a jab when Nikov was well out of range.
Schoots shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
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!
Schoots misses with an uppercut. Nikov saw that one coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kalash Nikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Schoots takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Schoots thows a body shot but no joy.
Romano Schoots is winning the standup battle so far.
Nikov staying out of range there.
Schoots fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nikov is out of range.
Schoots swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Schoots looks to land a right hand but Nikov moved out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Schoots just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikov is looking to clinch.

Nikov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Schoots misses with the head strike.
Schoots with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Schoots misses with the head strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Schoots.
Schoots changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nikov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nikov with a jab.
Nikov throws a lazy right hand but Schoots sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Schoots fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Romano Schoots. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikov fakes the leg kick and cracks Schoots in the body.
Schoots throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Schoots tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Nikov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikov throws out a loose jab but Schoots uses good head movement to avoid it.
Schoots misses with a double jab.
Nikov jabs Schoots to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nikov on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Nikov clinches up with Schoots and pushes him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A shot in the inside from Nikov.
Nikov misses with some punches.
Schoots tries to land a knee to the head but Nikov blocks with his arms.
Nikov gets through Schoots's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nikov digs a right hand into Schoots's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Schoots's gas tank.
Schoots lands with a light punch inside.
Kalash Nikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Schoots up against the cage.
A hook to the body from Nikov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kalash Nikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Schoots has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Romano Schoots!
A victorious Romano Schoots thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.