PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Grimly Fiendish (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalash Nikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: ILL BILL & VINNIE PAZ (HEAVY METAL KINGS) - "OATH OF THE GOAT" . 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.

Fiendish
vs
Nikov

157 cm
31
146 lbs
19 - 11 - 0

174 cm
30
158 lbs
16 - 10 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Grimly Fiendish!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Hilo, Kalash Nikov!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fiendish darts in trying to clinch
and Nikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nikov throws out a loose jab but Fiendish uses good head movement to avoid it.

Nikov moves into the clinch successfully.
Nikov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Fiendish has had enough of the clinch but Nikov keeps him there for the moment.
Fiendish can't break the clinch.
Fiendish looking to slow down the pace here.
Nikov looking to throw knees to the head but Fiendish is blocking nicely.

Fiendish gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Fiendish throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fiendish is trying to control the action in half guard but Nikov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nikov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fiendish tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Nikov is looking to escape.
Fiendish is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Nikov manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A shot to the body from Nikov misses
and Fiendish connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fiendish takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fiendish fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nikov manages to avoid it.
Fiendish avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nikov.
A leg kick checked by Fiendish.
Nikov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fiendish.
Fiendish lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nikov circles away quickly and effectively.
Fiendish walks into a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikov throws a body punch but Fiendish moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Fiendish swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fiendish shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nikov defends it nicely.
Nikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fiendish avoids the head kick by Nikov.
Nikov moves in looking to clinch but Fiendish pushes him off.
Nikov throws a combination that misses
and Fiendish counters with a stiff right hand.
Nikov throws a hook but Fiendish blocks it.
Fiendish walks into a stiff left hand from Nikov.
Nikov swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice shot lands for Nikov.
Fiendish scores with a body shot.
Nikov lands a nice hook to Fiendish's body. Fiendish takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nikov is looking to clinch but Fiendish is avoiding it.
Nice uppercut lands for Nikov. That snapped Fiendish's head back.
Nikov swings for the body but Fiendish moves out of range.
Fiendish takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fiendish moves in looking to clinch but Nikov pushes him off.
Fiendish blocks a head kick by Nikov.
Nikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fiendish moves away.
Nikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fiendish was well out of range. Poor timing from Nikov.
Nikov is looking to clinch but Fiendish is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fiendish is defended easily by Nikov.
Nikov moves in looking to clinch but Fiendish pushes him off.
Fiendish fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nikov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Fiendish avoids the body shot from Nikov.
Nikov defending well as Fiendish loads up on a big left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikov is looking to land body kicks.
Nikov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kalash Nikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A telegraphed right hand from Nikov misses the target.
Nikov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Fiendish counters with a nice uppercut.
Nikov throws a series of punches but Fiendish moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kalash Nikov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fiendish tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nikov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Fiendish tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nikov takes a swing at Fiendish's ribcage but misses.
Fiendish avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fiendish uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nikov.
Fiendish looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nikov is fending him off so far but Fiendish persists. Nope, Nikov circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nikov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fiendish just misses with a punch to the body.
Nikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Fiendish is just out of range.

Nikov moves into range and clinches up with Fiendish.
Fiendish takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nikov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nikov trying to control the position but instead, Fiendish has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nikov into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikov is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.

Nikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nikov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nikov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Fiendish connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nikov tries to clinch but Fiendish moves out of range.
Fiendish keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nikov scores with a hook.
Nikov misses with a looping right.
Nikov throws a leg kick that misses.
Fiendish avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nikov tries to clinch there but Fiendish circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nikov lands with a kick to the temple. Fiendish shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Nikov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fiendish cracks Nikov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Fiendish shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Fiendish showed some decent athleticism there.
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!
Fiendish is trying to control the action in half guard but Nikov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Fiendish stalling.
Fiendish is keen to just control but Nikov is a slippery customer.
Fiendish looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Nikov is trying to maintain the position but Fiendish is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fiendish trying to pass the guard but Nikov defending well.

We're going to have a standup here because Grimly Fiendish wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Fiendish bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
What's Nikov going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Fiendish postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Fiendish scoring with punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikov can't do much from the bottom here.
Fiendish tries to advance to mount but Nikov denies him.
Fiendish creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Nikov sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Nikov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fiendish's best efforts.
Nikov is not content to let Fiendish control the position.
Nikov looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fiendish is stalling here. Nikov is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Fiendish seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Nikov has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
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!
Fiendish is trying to get back to half guard.
Nikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fiendish keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fiendish struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kalash Nikov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Fiendish's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nikov is looking to clinch but Fiendish is avoiding it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nikov, as that shot connected.
Kalash Nikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Fiendish closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nikov is trying to stand back up but Fiendish is controlling him
Nikov trying to hold on to Fiendish's head to control him but Fiendish postures up.
Fiendish wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nikov keeps working.
Nikov is looking to improve his position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Fiendish takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Grimly Fiendish just wasn't active enough.
Nikov darts in trying to clinch
and Fiendish counters with a three punch combo that has Nikov backing up. Nikov nods at Fiendish to acknowledge the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fiendish.
Nikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Fiendish closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fiendish tries to throw a body punch but Nikov avoids it by throwing Fiendish back against the cage.
Fiendish wants to break free but Nikov has control.

Nikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fiendish stuns Nikov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nikov tries to clinch up.
Kalash Nikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fiendish doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nikov throws a head kick that misses.
Nikov tries to clinch up but Fiendish circles away and keeps his distance.

Nikov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fiendish tries to break free but Nikov pushes him back against the cage.
Nikov prevents Fiendish from breaking the clinch.
Fiendish has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Nikov breaks from the clinch.
Nikov misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Fiendish to counter with a crisp jab.
Nikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nikov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fiendish takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A jab lands there for Nikov.
Fiendish keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nikov.
A jab from Fiendish misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Fiendish checks a leg kick.
Fiendish slips a jab and a cross from Nikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikov looks to land a combination but Fiendish avoids it well.
Nikov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fiendish misses with a wild body shot.
Nikov throws a nice looking combination but Fiendish bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fiendish manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nikov misses with a two punch combination.
Nikov cracks Fiendish with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kalash Nikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fiendish misses with a wild body shot.
Fiendish has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nikov.
Nikov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Fiendish counters with a three punch combo that has Nikov backing up. Nikov nods at Fiendish to acknowledge the strikes.

Nikov moves into the clinch successfully.
Nikov looking to throw knees to the head but Fiendish is blocking nicely.
Grimly Fiendish has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Fiendish lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nikov missing with knees to the body.

Fiendish is trying to trip Nikov. He has hold of a leg but Nikov is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Fiendish persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Fiendish might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fiendish accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikov wants to stand up but Fiendish is controlling him.
Fiendish advances to half guard.
Nikov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fiendish scores with a couple of nice shots.
Fiendish throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fiendish is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kalash Nikov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fiendish is pressing down on Nikov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Nikov is holding on for now.
Nikov is trying to control but can't.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikov tries to kick Fiendish off but Fiendish keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Fiendish has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fiendish tries to pass the half guard into mount. Nikov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Fiendish stops Nikov from getting back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kalash Nikov.
I've got Nikov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

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