PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Alverez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aaron Alverez is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Nikolaev
vs
Alverez

171 cm
18
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Nikolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aaron Alverez!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Jorge Garcia and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Nikolaev. Alverez does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab lands there for Alverez.

Nikolaev shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Nikolaev showed some decent athleticism there.
Alverez is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nikolaev keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Nikolaev trying to pass the guard but Alverez defending well.

Alverez is defending against the submission attempts here by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Nikolaev trying to control from half guard but Alverez is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alverez is looking for a sweep. Nikolaev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Alverez looks winded!
Nikolaev moves nicely into side control.
Nikolaev is looking to take a break and control but Alverez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Alverez tries to buck Nikolaev off but Nikolaev is having none of it.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Nikolaev taking a breather here.
Nikolaev trying to control the action but Alverez is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Nikolaev trying to control the position but Alverez is working away.
Nikolaev works to advance to full mount. Alverez defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Nikolaev controlling from mount.
Alverez has given up his back.
Nikolaev slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Nikolaev patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Alverez is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alverez is trying to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaev working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Alverez is doing well to defend. Nikolaev seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Alverez is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Vladimir Nikolaev!