PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Scott Nichols (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Weidman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Weidman has chosen The Prayer-Jonathan and Charlotte as his entrance music. 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
Weidman

192 cm
18
197 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 The Island, Scott Nichols!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Chris Weidman!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Weidman misses with the combination.

Weidman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nichols, pushing him back against the cage.

Weidman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nichols lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Weidman circles away quickly and effectively.
Sloppy strikes from Nichols. Those never looked like landing.
Nichols blocks a head kick by Weidman.
Nichols looks to land a left hand but Weidman moved out of range nicely.
Weidman blocks a jab.

Weidman has managed to clinch.

Weidman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nichols misses the shot to the body.
Nichols avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nichols throws a one two combo.

It looks like Chris Weidman has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Weidman throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nichols's head.
Nichols throws a body punch but Weidman moves out of range.
Weidman misses with a few strikes there.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Weidman breaks from the clinch.
Nice defenses there by Weidman.

Weidman moves into the clinch successfully.
Weidman has Nichols pressed against the cage, preventing Nichols from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nichols tries to break the clinch but Weidman is controlling the position.

Weidman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nichols darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nichols blocks a head kick by Weidman.
Weidman throws the kick towards the body but Nichols avoids it.

Weidman closes the distance and clinches.

Weidman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nichols uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Weidman.
Weidman throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nichols.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nichols takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Weidman misses the shot to the body.
Weidman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nichols lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Weidman circles away quickly and effectively.
Nichols throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nichols misses with a two punch combination.
Weidman lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Nichols looks to land a left hand but Weidman moved out of range nicely.
Weidman takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nichols throws a series of punches but Weidman avoids them all with ease.
Nichols ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nichols throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nichols throws a poor cross that misses
and Weidman counters with a head kick.
Weidman looks winded!
Weidman ducks under a wild hook from Nichols.
Left hook, right uppercut from Nichols.
Weidman looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nichols shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Weidman eats them both and turns towards Nichols to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Nichols misses with a two punch combination.
Chris Weidman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nichols doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nichols takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Weidman throws a nice looking combination but Nichols bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nichols lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nichols.
Weidman plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Nichols is rocked!

Weidman pushes Nichols up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Weidman breaks the clinch.
Weidman throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Nichols lunges at Weidman with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Weidman's hand.
Nichols takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Weidman has taken the fight to the clinch.

Weidman manages to break the clinch.
Weidman throws a series of punches but Nichols avoids them all with ease.
Nichols jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nichols thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Nichols misses.
Weidman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nichols manages to avoid it.
Weidman moves out of range as Nichols strikes.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Weidman, right into the meat.
Weidman closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nichols. Weidman does a little dance to reset his feet.
A combination from Weidman does no damage.
Nichols comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nichols looks to land a left hand but Weidman moved out of range nicely.
Nichols fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Weidman manages to avoid it.
Nichols throws a shot from downtown. Weidman moves away and avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Weidman staying out of range there.
Scott Nichols is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Weidman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A cross from Nichols lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chris Weidman will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chris Weidman's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A looping hook to the body misses from Weidman. Nichols does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nichols misses with a hook.
Weidman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Weidman lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Weidman throwing shots but Nichols is blocking nicely.
Nichols trying to control here.
Nichols keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nichols is looking to improve his position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Weidman is thwarting Nichols's attempts to control the position.
Weidman prevents Nichols from improving his position.
Weidman with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Weidman lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Weidman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Weidman moves out of range as Nichols strikes.
Nichols misses with a straight right.

Weidman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Weidman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nichols tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nichols working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Weidman.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nichols avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nichols can't keep his opponent in guard - Weidman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Nichols is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nichols wants to control but Weidman is keeping busy.
Weidman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Weidman seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Weidman is trying to control the action in half guard but Nichols is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nichols trying to control here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nichols misses with a hook
and Weidman counters with an inside leg kick.
Weidman tries a head kick but it misses.
Chris Weidman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nichols avoids the head kick by Weidman.
A big right from Nichols misses.
Nichols throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Weidman slips a jab from Nichols.
Nichols throws a right hand that Weidman ducks under and follows up with a left that Weidman also avoids with ease.
A head kick misses from Weidman.
Nichols comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Weidman is breathing heavily.
Nichols takes a swing at Weidman's ribcage but misses.
Weidman looks to score with a jab to the body but Nichols is just out of range.
Nichols throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Weidman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A shot to the liver by Nichols. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Weidman has taken the fight to the clinch.

Weidman manages to break the clinch.
Weidman defending well as Nichols loads up on a big left hand.
Weidman lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Weidman tries a head kick but it misses.
The fighters circling - Nichols throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nichols swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Weidman throws a head kick that half lands.
Nichols swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nichols throws a hook but Weidman avoids it easily.
Good work by Nichols as he checks the leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nichols fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Weidman throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Nichols throws a right and a left that Weidman avoids nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Weidman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Chris Weidman's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Weidman closes the distance and pushes Nichols back into the cage.

Weidman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Weidman is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nichols rather than just go for the knockout.
Nichols avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nichols fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Scott Nichols is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nichols scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nichols takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Weidman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nichols missing with a left hand there. Weidman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nichols misses with a straight left.
Weidman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nichols tests Weidman's chin there with a solid looking shot.
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 fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Weidman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nichols.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Weidman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
That kick from Weidman tenderised Nichols's leg. Nichols is trying to keep his angry face on.
Weidman misses with a two punch combination.
Weidman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nichols.
Weidman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nichols.
Weidman scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Weidman closes the distance and clinches.

Nichols manages to break the clinch.

Weidman instigates a clinch.

Weidman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nichols throws a body punch but Weidman moves out of range.

Weidman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nichols, pushing him back against the cage.
Weidman working Nichols over with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

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

Weidman closes the distance and pushes Nichols back into the cage.
Weidman stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Weidman breaks the clinch.
Nichols is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Weidman.
Nichols tries to bum rush Weidman with a series of wild strikes but Weidman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A combination from Weidman does no damage.
Nichols fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Weidman manages to avoid it.
Nice body kick there by Weidman.
Weidman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nichols was well out of range. Poor timing from Weidman.

Weidman clinches.

Weidman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A good leg kick by Weidman.
Scott Nichols has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nichols looks to land a combination but Weidman avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weidman throws a series of punches but Nichols moves out of range.
Nichols swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nichols misses with the combination.
A big left from Nichols misses.
Nice body kick there by Weidman.
Weidman takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Weidman scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nichols throws a series of punches but Weidman moves out of range.
Weidman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nichols scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Weidman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Weidman gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nichols keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nichols smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nichols works Weidman's body with a nice hook.
Nichols darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Weidman takes a swing at Nichols's ribcage but misses.
Nichols throws a looping overhand right but Weidman ducks down to avoid it.
Weidman lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Weidman.
Chris Weidman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Weidman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nichols.
A swing and a miss from Nichols.
Weidman avoids the body shot from Nichols.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Weidman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nichols throws out the jab.
Weidman jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Nichols gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Weidman to score an easy takedown into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chris Weidman.
I've got Weidman 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Weidman!
After the fight, Chris Weidman was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.