PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alex Wurds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zack Nichols (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wurds comes to the cage accompanied by K`naan - Wavin` Flag. Zack Nichols will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Wurds
vs
Nichols

171 cm
27
144 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

170 cm
23
140 lbs
6 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alex Wurds!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Zack Nichols!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy body kick from Nichols
and Wurds makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nichols dodges the punch combination from Wurds.
Nichols looks to clinch
and Wurds counters with a low kick, right behind Nichols 's knee.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nichols.
Nichols is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nichols tries to clinch there but Wurds circles away.
Nichols fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wurds fails to land with a series of punches.
Wurds tries to bum rush Nichols with a series of wild strikes but Nichols uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nichols tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nichols looks to clinch
and Wurds counters with a nice low kick that buckles Nichols's knee momentarily.
Nichols will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nichols throws a front kick aimed at Wurds's knee but Wurds avoids it well.
Wurds swinging wildly here.
Nichols tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wurds throws a leg kick that misses.
Nichols tries to clinch but Wurds moves out of range.
Nichols connects with a solid leg kick.
Nichols throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nichols tries to clinch up but Wurds circles away and keeps his distance.
Nichols tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wurds defending well as Nichols loads up on a big left hand.
Wurds throws a right hand that Nichols ducks under and follows up with a left that Nichols also avoids with ease.
Zack Nichols seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sloppy strikes from Wurds. Those never looked like landing.

Nichols instigates a clinch.
Wurds throws a punch but it's blocked by Nichols.
The referee calls for Nichols to work.
Nichols swings wildly with an uppercut but Wurds uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wurds managing to block the knees to the body from Nichols.
Nichols goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wurds prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wurds throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nicholss head.
Nichols just leaning against Wurds, taking a breather.

Wurds escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Wurds instigates a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nichols keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Wurds's efforts to push away.
Wurds is trying to force a seperation but Nichols has the dominant position.
Nichols looking to throw knees to the head but Wurds is blocking nicely.
Wurds working hard to break the clinch.
Wurds misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wurds is trying to break the clinch but Nichols has him pressed against the cage.

Nichols gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Wurds is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nichols slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wurds pushes Nichols off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Good work by Nichols as he checks the leg kick.
Wurds misses with a few strikes there.
Wurds lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nichols circles away quickly and effectively.
Wurds throws a hook to the side of Nichols's head but Nichols sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A jab from Nichols does it's job there.
Wurds moves out of range as Nichols strikes.
Wurds connects with a solid leg kick.
Wurds misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nichols wants to clinch up but Wurds keeps it at a distance.
Nichols throws a head kick but Wurds moves out of range.
Nichols tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Wurds counters with a low kick, right behind Nichols 's knee.
Wurds moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A jab from Nichols finds it's way through Wurds's defenses.
Wurds connects with a solid leg kick.
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!
Nichols tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nichols pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nichols showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wurds.
Wurds lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nichols backs up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nichols misses with a body kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Nichols blocks the leg kick.
Nichols doesn't manage to clinch there - Wurds circles away.
Wurds misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zack Nichols will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nichols fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Wurds has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Wurds takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Wurds looks to land a combination. Nichols sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nichols wants to clinch.
Nichols doesn't manage to clinch there - Wurds circles away.
Nichols fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice straight punches there by Nichols. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nichols.
Alex Wurds is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wurds takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Nichols clinches up with Wurds and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Nichols fails to land.
Nichols tries to stall but Wurds uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nichols is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Wurds has denied him.
Wurds tries to circle away but Nichols has him pinned against the cage.
Wurds lands a left hand.
Wurds lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nichols is trying to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nichols blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Wurds gets through Nichols's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nichols trying to stall but Wurds improves his position.
Wurds lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wurds misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wurds has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Wurds as Nichols tries to tie him up.
Wurds tries to break free but Nichols pushes him back against the cage.
Wurds wants to get back to striking at distance but Nichols won't allow it.

Wurds escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nichols scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nichols doesn't manage to clinch there - Wurds circles away.
Nichols tries to close the distance and clinch but Wurds swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nichols is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wurds stalks Nichols and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nichols's face. Nichols staggers backwards, shaken.
Wurds lands a right hook to the body.
Nichols fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zack Nichols seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wurds misses with a jab, cross combination.
Wurds tries to score with a low kick but Nichols moves his leg out of the way.
Wurds throws a left and a right that both miss

and Nichols moves into the clinch.
Wurds tries to break free but Nichols pushes him back against the cage.
Nichols goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wurds prevents it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nichols throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wurds blocks it with crossed arms.
Wurds is trying to push Nichols away but Nichols has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Nichols wants to stall.
Wurds swings wildly with an uppercut but Nichols uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nichols throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wurds is trying to break free.
Nichols is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Wurds is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wurds is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nichols keeps control of Wurds as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Wurds wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nichols has him pressed against the cage.
Nichols lands with a left to the head.
Nichols wants a takedown.
Nichols lands with a left to the head.

Wurds escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nichols pivots, looking for a leg kick but Wurds is out of range and Nichols settles back down.
Wurds tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nichols is able to avoid easily.
Wurds fails to land with a series of punches.
Nichols throws the kick towards the body but Wurds avoids it.
Nichols fails in his attempt to clinch.

Nichols takes the fight into the clinch.
Wurds can't break the clinch.
Wurds is trying to push Nichols away but Nichols has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nichols misses with a punch to the body.
Wurds is trying to break free.
Nichols tries a knee to the head but Wurds blocks it.

Wurds manages to break the clinch.
Nichols tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wurds swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wurds swats away the attempt to clinch by Nichols.
Wurds throws a shot from downtown. Nichols moves away and avoids it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nichols instigates a clinch.
Nichols lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Wurds tries to break the clinch but Nichols is controlling the position.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Wurds is trying to force a seperation but Nichols has the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nichols drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wurds gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Alex Wurds has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Nichols.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nichols.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Nichols showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Wurds on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nichols looks to score with a jab to the body but Wurds is just out of range.
Wurds looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wurds misses with a few strikes there.
Nichols wants to clinch.
Nichols tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wurds paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nichols is looking to clinch.
Nichols avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nichols throws a lazy body kick
and Wurds counters with a straight right hand.
Wurds keeps the fight on the outside.
Wurds lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A big left from Nichols misses.
Nichols dodges the punch combination from Wurds.
Nichols looks to land a body kick but Wurds moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nichols.
Wurds walks forward, straight into a front kick from Nichols.
Nichols tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wurds swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nichols moves in looking to clinch but Wurds pushes him off.
Wurds scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nichols in his tracks.
Nichols dodges the punch combination from Wurds.
Wurds lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Wurds.
Nichols wants to clinch
and Wurds counters with a low kick, right behind Nichols 's knee.
Nichols tries to clinch but Wurds moves out of range.
Wurds avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nichols tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wurds paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wurds scores with a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wurds lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Nichols clinches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Wurds wants to break free but Nichols has control.
Nichols tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Wurds breaks from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wurds circles away from the clinch attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nichols.
Wurds fails to land with a series of punches.
Wurds is looking to chop away at Nichols's legs.
Wurds rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nichols moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nichols tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wurds swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nichols doesn't manage to clinch there - Wurds circles away.
Nichols is looking to clinch.
Wurds lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nichols circles away quickly and effectively.

Nichols gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wurds wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nichols has him pressed against the cage.
Wurds tries to break the clinch but Nichols is controlling the position.
Wurds lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zack Nichols seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nichols is looking for a takedown.
Nichols working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nichols with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Wurds pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nichols tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wurds swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Good leg kick by Wurds there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nichols looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A head kick misses from Nichols.
Nichols tries to clinch up but Wurds circles away and keeps his distance.
Wurds misses with a looping right.
Nichols tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wurds manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wurds takes a kick to the side of the head.
Nichols throws a low kick but Wurds avoids it.
Nichols's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wurds feints and then cracks Nichols's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nichols down.
Wurds keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nichols doesn't manage to clinch there - Wurds circles away.
Nichols tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Wurds counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nichols wants to clinch.
Nichols walks into a jab.
Nichols darts in trying to clinch
and Wurds counters with a three punch combo that has Nichols backing up. Nichols nods at Wurds to acknowledge the strikes.
Alex Wurds has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nichols wants to clinch up but Wurds keeps it at a distance.
Wurds checks the leg kick.
Nichols moves in looking to clinch but Wurds pushes him off.
Zack Nichols is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wurds misses with a two punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zack Nichols comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nichols 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 William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zack Nichols!