PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mattia Nicoletti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nicoletti
vs
Miller

175 cm
26
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

180 cm
19
185 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent elbows
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mattia Nicoletti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dave Miller!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller throws out a powerful jab.

Nicoletti clinches.
Miller is trying to break the clinch but Nicoletti has him pressed against the cage.

Miller has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Nicoletti regains guard immediately.
Nicoletti looking to control.
Miller trying to control but Nicoletti is working from the bottom.
Miller won't allow Nicoletti to sweep him here.
Miller trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nicoletti looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Miller trying to control but Nicoletti is working from the bottom.
Miller postures up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Miller lands an overhand right.
Miller swings widly with a right hand

and Nicoletti counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Miller pulls Nicoletti in close to prevent any damage.
Nicoletti's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Miller working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nicoletti doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nicoletti manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nicoletti trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nicoletti lands a couple of digs.
Miller can't keep his opponent in guard - Nicoletti advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Nicoletti has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Miller is controlling an arm, preventing Nicoletti from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

Nicoletti jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Miller is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Miller and Nicoletti has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Nicoletti moves into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller is squirming around, avoiding Nicoletti's attempts to control the action.
Miller is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nicoletti looking to ground and pound but Miller is blocking nicely.
Miller tries to hold on but Nicoletti postures up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nicoletti wants to control the pace but Miller is squirming around nicely.
Miller is working to get back to half guard.

Nicoletti is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Miller to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Miller shrugs it off.
Nicoletti fails to take his opponent's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicoletti takes Miller's back.

Nicoletti is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Miller knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Miller for a finish.

Nicoletti is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Miller is defending well though. Nicoletti let's go of the attempt for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nicoletti trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Miller trying to control the hands but Nicoletti won't let him.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Nicoletti controlling the positon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Miller showing good submission defense here.
Nicoletti tries to keep control of the position but Miller is staying busy.

Miller is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Nicoletti gets his way!

Nicoletti tightening his grip on Miller, looking for the choke.
Nicoletti is looking to control Miller but Miller is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Miller really must keep his cool here. He's controlling one of Nicoletti's hands and whilst he does that, he's got a chance of escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mattia Nicoletti dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Miller swings for the body but Nicoletti moves out of range.
Nicoletti throws a head kick that misses.
A punch lands to the side of Miller 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Miller throws out a loose jab but Nicoletti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Miller lands a body shot.
Nicoletti tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice uppercut there from Nicoletti.
Nicoletti chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nicoletti is looking to clinch but Miller is avoiding it.
Mattia Nicoletti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nicoletti misses with a leg kick.
Nicoletti scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Miller doesn't seem bothered though.
Miller takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Miller avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nicoletti cracks the inside of Miller's front leg.
Miller looks to throw the jab but Nicoletti is out of range.
Miller avoids the head kick by Nicoletti.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller loads up on a big right hand but Nicoletti slips the punch.
Miller checks a leg kick.
Nicoletti pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nicoletti tries to close the distance and clinch but Miller swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nicoletti shoots in and drives through. Miller sprawls well.
Nicoletti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nicoletti tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Miller darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nicoletti's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Miller connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Nicoletti scrambles back to his feet.
Good work by Miller as he checks the leg kick.
Miller lands with a good body shot.
Miller cracks Nicoletti with a good jab.
Miller blocks a head kick by Nicoletti.
Miller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nicoletti.
Miller moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A leg kick checked by Miller.
Dave Miller seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicoletti tries a head kick but it misses.
Nicoletti chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nicoletti attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Nicoletti misses the target.
Miller avoids the head kick by Nicoletti.
Miller throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nicoletti takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nicoletti throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nicoletti throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Nicoletti closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Miller on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nicoletti creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Miller's defenses.
Nicoletti is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Miller is defending well for now.
Nicoletti throws an elbow that misses.
Nicoletti scores a nice knee to the body.
Nice elbow from Nicoletti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller avoiding damage as Nicoletti throws knees to the body.

Miller has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Nicoletti is trying to keep an underhook but Miller manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Nicoletti wants to get back to full guard.
Nicoletti gets back to full guard.
Nicoletti keeping moving, preventing Miller from controlling successfully.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Miller throws a big right hand that misses.
Nicoletti wants to sweep but no luck.
Nicoletti manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Nicoletti working for a submission but Miller is keeping him at bay.

Nicoletti is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Miller has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nicoletti takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Nicoletti is not going to allow Miller to sit and survive in this position.

Miller showing good submission defense here.
Miller tries to escape but Nicoletti has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Nicoletti is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Miller knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Miller for a finish.

Nicoletti patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mattia Nicoletti dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nicoletti wants to clinch up but Miller keeps it at a distance.
Miller misses with a straight right.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nicoletti.
Nicoletti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nicoletti misses with a head kick.
Miller blocks a head kick by Nicoletti.
Nicoletti throws a leg kick but Miller sees it coming and moves out of range.
Miller throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nicoletti on the side of the head.
Nicoletti misses the jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nicoletti is defended easily by Miller.
Nicoletti takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nicoletti darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Miller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nicoletti.
Nicoletti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicoletti with a poor takedown
and Miller counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mattia Nicoletti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Miller takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nicoletti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Miller.
Nicoletti ducks under a wild hook from Miller.
Nicoletti takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Miller works over Nicoletti's head and body with a nice combination.
Miller throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nicoletti is looking to score with low kicks.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Miller checks a leg kick.
Miller checks a leg kick.
Dave Miller is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Miller punishes Nicoletti's body with a nice straight punch.
Miller throws a hook to the side of Nicoletti's head but Nicoletti sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nicoletti throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Nicoletti shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Miller waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nicoletti.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nicoletti pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller misses with the combination.
Miller looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A combination from Miller does no damage.
Miller thows a body shot but no joy.
Miller throws a body punch but Nicoletti moves out of range.
Miller just misses with a punch to the body.
Nicoletti tries a head kick but it misses.
Nicoletti throws a head kick but Miller moves out of range.
Nicoletti avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Miller avoids the head kick by Nicoletti.
Nicoletti fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nicoletti throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Miller ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Miller moves forwards but Nicoletti connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller misses the shot to the body.
Nicoletti throws a front kick aimed at Miller's knee but Miller avoids it well.
Miller ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nicoletti pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nicoletti ducks under a wild hook from Miller.
Nicoletti with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Nicoletti fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Miller to the ground. Nicoletti is now in Miller's guard.

Nicoletti 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.

Nicoletti drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nicoletti jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Miller is controlling Nicoletti's posture.
Nicoletti looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicoletti stands and throws Miller's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Dave Miller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Miller stops Nicoletti from passing to mount.
Miller throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Nicoletti tries to advance to mount but Miller denies him.
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!
Miller wants to control but Nicoletti postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nicoletti works to advance to full mount. Miller defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Miller can do anything to dispel that myth.

Nicoletti is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Miller is surviving well by controlling Nicoletti's body position as best he can.
Miller really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nicoletti. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Nicoletti blocks Miller's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

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 Mattia Nicoletti.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nicoletti, 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mattia Nicoletti!
Mattia Nicoletti tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.