PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arvel Garnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arvel Garnett has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Garnett
vs
Nikolaev

189 cm
25
195 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

179 cm
25
190 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

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 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arvel Garnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Nikolaev!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Russell Pearce and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garnett lands with a good body shot.
Nikolaev defending well as Garnett loads up on a big left hand.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Nikolaev has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Nikolaev has his takedown stuffed
letting Garnett counter with a right hand.
Garnett swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nikolaev.
Garnett lands a jab-cross combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Garnett scores with a shot to the body.

Garnett gets caught flat footed, as Nikolaev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Garnett tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Garnett trying to keep a closed guard but Nikolaev is proving a slippery customer.
Nikolaev is looking to stand up but Garnett won't let him.
Nikolaev slips nicely into half guard.

Nikolaev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev trying to control from half guard but Garnett is working away.
Garnett is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nikolaev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nikolaev's back!
Garnett lands shots from the back.
Nikolaev looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Garnett has good solid back control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Garnett gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Nikolaev avoids the strikes from Garnett.
Garnett controlling well, preventing Nikolaev from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garnett misses with a punch to the head.
Nikolaev avoids the strikes from Garnett.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Garnett throwing damaging strikes from the back! Nikolaev could be in trouble here!
Garnett has good solid back control here.
Garnett lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Nikolaev.
Garnett gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Garnett controlling the position well here. Nikolaev rolled but Garnett kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Garnett not allowing Nikolaev to control his hands.
Garnett throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garnett lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Garnett punches the canvas rather than the man.
Nikolaev is taking damage to the body and head.

Nikolaev is rocked!
Garnett has the hooks in. Nikolaev is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Nikolaev is still in real trouble! Can Garnett finish him?
Oooh a big shot gets through from Garnett. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Nikolaev grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikolaev takes a huge shot to the dome and he's out cold! Big knockout! Garnett celebrates with his corner and points to his sponsors on a baseball cap.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Arvel Garnett!
Arvel Garnett decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.