PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hank Nichols (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Irvin Ross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Nichols
vs
Ross

188 cm
20
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
184 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Dragon

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hank Nichols!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Irvin Ross!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Donatello Bradman and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nichols scores with a takedown into Ross's guard.
Nichols won't allow Ross to get back to his feet.
Nichols 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.
Nichols throws a strike but Ross rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Nichols keeping full guard, as Ross tries to pass.
Nichols managing to control the position.
Nichols manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross is squirming around, avoiding Nichols's attempts to control the action.
Nichols throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Ross really wants to buck Nichols off and get back to his feet.
Ross is squirming around, avoiding Nichols's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Nichols tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ross can do anything to dispel that myth.

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

Nichols is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ross knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ross pushes Nichols away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Nichols gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nichols working the strikes but Ross uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

Nichols is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ross is trying to stand.
Nichols content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Nichols is trying to control. Ross wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ross makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Ross throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nichols's waist but Nichols gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ross off to one side.
Nichols closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ross circles away.
No luck for Nichols with that takedown attempt.
Ross uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Ross forces Nichols back against the cage and clinches.
Nichols changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ross fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hank Nichols. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nichols is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nichols misses with a double jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ross shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nichols pinned against the cage. Nichols gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Nichols dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A shot to the liver by Ross. Beautiful body shot.
Nichols fails with the takedown.
Nichols tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ross manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Nichols gets caught napping as Ross dives in and scores a takedown. Nichols manages to retain guard.
Ross being controlled here momentarily.
Ross tries to free his leg and advance position but Nichols is retaining full guard.

Ross drops back looking for a leg! Nichols is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nichols manages to kick Ross off! Ross jumps back into Nichols's guard.
Nichols is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross looking to sit in guard and control but Nichols gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ross is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nichols has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nichols working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ross wants to stand and escape but Nichols is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nichols accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ross is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nichols is controlling him.
Nichols looking to sit in guard and control but Ross gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nichols working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ross doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ross manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nichols is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nichols is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ross is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Nichols has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ross can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ross keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nichols's head.

Nichols is looking for a triangle here but Ross uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Ross is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Nichols has escaped the position, nice work there.
Hank Nichols overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Nichols throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross stalks Nichols and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nichols's face. Nichols staggers backwards, shaken.
Nichols will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ross closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nichols circles away.
Nichols shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hank Nichols. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nichols is defended easily by Ross.
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!
Ross throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ross looks for a takedown but Nichols sprawls well.
Nichols doesn't manage to clinch there - Ross circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Irvin Ross showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Nichols's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nichols with a lazy takedown attempt

and Ross counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nichols trying to strike off his back.
Nichols wants to sweep but no luck.
Nichols trying to control the position.
Ross forces his way into half guard.

Ross is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nichols doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ross.
Ross tries to pass to full mount but Nichols defends it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ross is taking a breather. Nichols 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.
Ross prevents Nichols from standing back up.

Ross is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Nichols trying to control from the bottom.

Ross is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nichols is just riding it out for now. Ross eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nichols is trying to get back to full guard.
Nichols is working hard here to advance position.
Ross drops an elbow to the side of Nichols's head.

Ross decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Nichols tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nichols fails to land the takedown.
Nichols tries to clinch up but Ross circles away and keeps his distance.
Ross throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Ross drives through with a takedown into Nichols's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ross trying to control but Nichols is working from the bottom.
Ross works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Nichols is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ross pulls his head out easily.
Nichols flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ross trying to control from half guard but Nichols is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nichols trying to control but Ross postures up.
Nichols is refusing to be controlled, as Ross sits in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ross connects with a nice short shot to Nichols's temple.
Ross seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ross is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Irvin Ross comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ross has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight for Irvin Ross!
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight for Irvin Ross!
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight for Irvin Ross!

Irvin Ross wins by unanimous decision!
Irvin Ross took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Dragon for their support in the buildup to the fight.