PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rigoberto Nichols (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Big Ball (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rigoberto Nichols had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Nichols
vs
Ball

224 cm
18
346 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

150 cm
25
301 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rigoberto Nichols!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Big Ball!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ball decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Nichols is looking to control Ball's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nichols avoid being mounted?
Nichols tries to roll over but Ball keeps him under control.
Nichols trying to control but Ball postures up.
Ball sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nichols defending well though.
Ball wants to stand up but Nichols is controlling the position.
Nichols is controlling Ball's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rigoberto Nichols.

Nichols moves into the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Ball pulls Nichols into guard.
Nichols trying to control the position from guard on top but Ball is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Our spies down at at Ivan's house of pain [300$] inform us that Ball has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ball is on top in guard.
Nichols will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Nichols looking for a guillotine here but Ball defends easily.
Ball won't allow Nichols to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ball stands and steps away. Nichols gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Ball closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ball is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Ball is keen to just control but Nichols is a slippery customer.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nichols tries to roll over but Ball keeps him under control.
Nichols trying to control but Ball postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ball wants to pass the guard but Nichols is defending well.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Nichols tries to roll over but Ball keeps him under control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nichols shoots in and drives through. Ball sprawls well.
Nichols lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nichols lands with an overhand left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ball drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Ball gets to his feet. Nichols looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Nichols is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ball manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Nichols on his heels. He'll look to pass Nichols's guard now, I'm sure.
Ball working some strikes from top position.
Ball would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Nichols is trying to control the position from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ball chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Ball dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nichols rushes Ball and presses him up against the cage.

Ball breaks from the clinch.
Nichols fails with a takedown attempt.

Nichols forces Ball back against the cage and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ball.

Ball works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Ball postures up.
Nichols is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ball is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Ball trying to control but Nichols is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ball content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Ball gets to his feet. Nichols looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nichols enables Ball to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nichols manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Ball is looking to stand up but Nichols won't let him.
Big Ball has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nichols trying to keep a closed guard but Ball is proving a slippery customer.
Ball pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nichols is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ball looking to sit in guard and control but Nichols gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ball is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ball managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Ball shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ball was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Nichols takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Nichols is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ball's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Ball passes to side control.
Nichols is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ball decides to stand back up. Ball steps back and let's Nichols get back to his feet.
Nichols throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ball's waist but Ball gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nichols off to one side.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ball closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ball decides to take the fight back to the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ball shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Ball decides to return to a standing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Ball showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nichols will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Ball instigates a clinch.
Nichols is trying to pull guard but Ball turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ball has Nichols pushed against the cage.

Ball breaks the clinch.
Ball tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nichols manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Ball feints and as Nichols raises his hands in defense, Ball changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ball makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ball trying to control but Nichols is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ball stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nice takedown defense from Nichols. No joy for Ball on that attempt.

Nichols has taken the fight to the clinch.

Ball pulls guard successfully.
Ball is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ball is controlling Nichols's posture.

Nichols stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ball tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nichols manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Nichols moves into the clinch.
Nichols tries to circle away but Ball has him pinned against the cage.
Ball is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nichols fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rigoberto Nichols. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nichols wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nichols tries to break free but Ball pushes him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ball goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nichols prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ball using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nichols has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ball is trying to pull guard but Nichols has him pressed against the cage.

Nichols successfully pulls guard.
Ball working some strikes from top position.
Ball passes Nichols's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ground and pound from Ball.
Big Ball is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Ball escapes and gets back to his feet.
Rigoberto Nichols seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nichols gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ball to score an easy takedown into full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ball wants to stand but Nichols is controlling his posture from full guard.
Nichols being controlled here, momentarily.
Rigoberto Nichols 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 uses the cage to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Big Ball comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ball 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Big Ball!