PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nicodemo Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giorgos Kourtesiotis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nicodemo Romero has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Romero
vs
Kourtesiotis

177 cm
21
160 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
164 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nicodemo Romero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Giorgos Kourtesiotis!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Glass and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Romero gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kourtesiotis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Romero lands a right hand.
Romero can't find room to land a body shot as Kourtesiotis controls the action.
Romero lands a body shot in the clinch.
Romero can't find room to land a body shot as Kourtesiotis controls the action.
Kourtesiotis avoiding damage as Romero throws knees to the body.
A body shot lands from Romero.
Kourtesiotis takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Giorgos Kourtesiotis has been cut.
Kourtesiotis avoids the elbow strike from Romero, against the cage.
Romero lands a damaging elbow.
Romero tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Romero misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Romero prevents a takedown attempt there.
Romero tries to land knees in the clinch but Kourtesiotis avoids the damage to the body.
Kourtesiotis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Romero lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kourtesiotis backwards.
Romero gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Romero lands a shot to the body.
Kourtesiotis tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nicodemo Romero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgos Kourtesiotis.
Kourtesiotis blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Romero.
Romero is pressed up against the cage. Kourtesiotis has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Romero down to the mat. Romero avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kourtesiotis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Romero doesn't manage to clinch there - Kourtesiotis circles away.
Romero is looking to clinch but Kourtesiotis is avoiding it.
Romero is looking to clinch.
Romero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kourtesiotis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Romero pinned against the cage. Romero gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Romero wants to clinch.
Romero digs a good body shot into Kourtesiotis's ribs.
Romero tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kourtesiotis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nicodemo Romero is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Romero tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kourtesiotis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Romero tries to clinch up but Kourtesiotis circles away and keeps his distance.
Romero is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kourtesiotis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Romero tries to avoid it but Kourtesiotis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Romero to the ground. Romero escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Romero tries to clinch up.
Romero is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Romero tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kourtesiotis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Romero doesn't manage to clinch there - Kourtesiotis circles away.
Kourtesiotis circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kourtesiotis swats away the attempt to clinch by Romero.
Kourtesiotis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Romero lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kourtesiotis looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Romero wants to clinch.
Romero is looking to clinch but Kourtesiotis is avoiding it.
Kourtesiotis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Romero wants to clinch.

Romero clinches up with Kourtesiotis and pushes him back against the cage.
Romero lands a body shot in the clinch.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Romero lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Romero with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Romero gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kourtesiotis.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicodemo Romero dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Giorgos Kourtesiotis's cut.
That's time! Romero's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Romero tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kourtesiotis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Romero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Romero has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kourtesiotis prevents a body shot from Romero.
Romero lands with a short punch from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Romero.
Romero creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kourtesiotis's defenses.
Romero is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Romero misses with an elbow over the top.
Romero tries to throw a body punch but Kourtesiotis avoids it by throwing Romero back against the cage.
Kourtesiotis managing to block the knees to the body from Romero.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero prevents the takedown attempt.
Romero struggles to land a body shot inside as Kourtesiotis controls his hands.
Romero cracks Kourtesiotis with a nice body shot.
Romero lands a shot to the body.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Romero.
Romero lands an elbow inside.
Romero is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kourtesiotis is defending well for now.
Kourtesiotis blocks an elbow strike.
Romero prevents the takedown attempt.
Nicodemo Romero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgos Kourtesiotis.
Romero is working Kourtesiotis over against the cage.
Romero pushes off an throws an elbow but Kourtesiotis leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kourtesiotis.
Romero goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Romero can't find room to land a body shot as Kourtesiotis controls the action.
Kourtesiotis has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Romero after a bit of a struggle.
Romero misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kourtesiotis.
Kourtesiotis takes an elbow to the temple.

That has opened up Giorgos Kourtesiotis's cut even more.
Kourtesiotis is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Romero gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Romero tries a body shot but Kourtesiotis blocks it.
Romero struggles to land a body shot inside as Kourtesiotis controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero trying to land knees to the body.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
Romero landing knees to the head.
Romero is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A short uppercut from Romero.
Kourtesiotis has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Romero is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nicodemo Romero has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Romero tries to land knees in the clinch but Kourtesiotis avoids the damage to the body.
Romero misses with a knee strike.
Kourtesiotis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kourtesiotis is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Romero digs a right hand underneath Kourtesiotis's ribcage. Kourtesiotis let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kourtesiotis avoids it.
Romero scores with a shot to the side of Kourtesiotis's head.
A nice left hand lands by Romero.
Romero throws a punch but it's blocked by Kourtesiotis.
Romero misses with a hook to the ribs.
Romero tries to work over Kourtesiotis's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kourtesiotis is looking for a takedown.
Kourtesiotis wants to take the fight to the mat but Romero manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kourtesiotis is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Romero gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A body shot lands from Romero.
Romero scores with a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicodemo Romero dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Giorgos Kourtesiotis's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kourtesiotis shoots for a double leg takedown but Romero sprawls well. He's pushed Kourtesiotis's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Romero just misses with a punch to the body.
Romero tries to clinch but Kourtesiotis is having none of it.
Romero throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Romero tries to clinch there but Kourtesiotis circles away.
Romero wants to clinch but Kourtesiotis slips to the side

so Kourtesiotis counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kourtesiotis wants to pass the guard but Romero is keeping the position.
Romero is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Romero has his foot on Kourtesiotis's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kourtesiotis works his way back into a safe position though.
Kourtesiotis advances to half guard.
My spies in ~T~ Troid - Gym inform me that Kourtesiotis has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Kourtesiotis is taking a breather. Romero 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kourtesiotis scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Romero is trying to stand.
Kourtesiotis wants to pass the guard but Romero is defending well.
Romero is holding on to half guard well.
Romero wants to control but Kourtesiotis is keeping busy.
Romero is trying to stand up here but Kourtesiotis is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero is trying to maintain the position but Kourtesiotis is very close to passing his half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nicodemo Romero wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Romero fails in his attempt to clinch.
Romero throws a nice looking combination but Kourtesiotis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Romero misses with a body kick.
Romero tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kourtesiotis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nicodemo Romero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Romero rushes Kourtesiotis and presses him up against the cage.
Romero lands a knee to the body.
Kourtesiotis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kourtesiotis avoiding damage as Romero throws knees to the body.
Romero scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kourtesiotis takes a shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kourtesiotis drops down looking for an ankle pick but Romero pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kourtesiotis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nicodemo Romero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgos Kourtesiotis.
Romero closes the distance looking to clinch

so Kourtesiotis counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kourtesiotis is fighting to break Romero's control of his arms but Romero is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Kourtesiotis postures up.
Kourtesiotis trying to control the position from guard on top but Romero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Romero keeping full guard, as Kourtesiotis tries to pass.
Giorgos Kourtesiotis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kourtesiotis stops Romero from standing up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kourtesiotis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nicodemo Romero wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Kourtesiotis shoots in for a takedown but Romero shows good takedown defense.
Kourtesiotis shoots in for a takedown but Romero shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kourtesiotis keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kourtesiotis looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Romero is fending him off so far but Kourtesiotis persists. Nope, Romero circles away and we're back to standing.
Romero wants to clinch

and Kourtesiotis counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kourtesiotis throwing strikes from guard but Romero blocks nicely.
Kourtesiotis looking to sit in guard and control but Romero gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Giorgos Kourtesiotis.
I think Romero 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nicodemo Romero!
During a confident post fight interview, Nicodemo Romero thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.