PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rick Showtime (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sammel Nister (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Showtime's entrance music is Old Toms Hut. A fine choice. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Showtime
vs
Nister

170 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

182 cm
23
196 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite 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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rick Showtime!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sammel Nister!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Showtime tries to clinch but Nister is having none of it.
Nister misses with a leg kick.
Showtime lands with a straight right. Nister didn't see that one coming.
A big left from Nister misses.
Showtime throws a series of punches but Nister avoids them all with ease.
Showtime tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nister paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nister takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Showtime instigates a clinch.
Showtime wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nister prevents Showtime from breaking the clinch.
Showtime lands with a light punch inside.
Showtime wants to get back to striking at distance but Nister won't allow it.
Nister slows down the pace here.
Showtime gets underhooks to prevent Nister's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Showtime is trying to break the clinch but Nister has him pressed against the cage.
Nister can't get the takedown.
Showtime prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rick Showtime has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sammel Nister.

Nister tightens his grip and picks Showtime up, before dumping him to the ground. Showtime manages to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Showtime keeping moving, preventing Nister from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Showtime is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nister lands a couple of digs.
Nister trying to control but Showtime is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nister drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Showtime manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Nister has Showtime in his guard.
Nister has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Showtime trying to control the position from guard on top but Nister is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Showtime gets to his feet - Nister follows without any prompting.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nister lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Nister closes the distance and clinches.
Showtime is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nister is working for takedown but Showtime is calmly controlling the position for now.

Nister ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Nister no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Showtime throws a big right hand that misses.
Showtime throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nister not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Showtime trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Showtime wants to control from the top but Nister keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nister can do anything to dispel that myth.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Showtime gets to his feet - Nister follows without any prompting.
Showtime avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Showtime lands the left hand.
Showtime goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Showtime lands a jab-cross combination.
Showtime moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Showtime throws a head kick that misses.
Showtime cracks Nister with a right hand to the side of the head.
Showtime throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Showtime looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nister takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nister takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Showtime throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Showtime dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Showtime throws a one two combo.
Showtime tries to clinch there but Nister circles away.
Nister drops his hands momentarily and Showtime takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Showtime misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nister keeps the fight on the outside.
Showtime tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nister sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Showtime somewhat.
Showtime shoots in looking for a takedown. Nister tries to sprawl out of it but Showtime keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nister manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Nister rushes Showtime and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Our sources have told us that Showtime has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Nister working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Showtime tries to break free but Nister pushes him back against the cage.
Showtime tries to break the clinch but Nister is controlling the position.
Nister is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Showtime pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nister tries to pull guard but Showtime forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Showtime jumps guard but Nister stands there with Showtime around his waist. Showtime gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Showtime. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Showtime has had enough of the clinch but Nister keeps him there for the moment.
Nister is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Showtime gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nister has Showtime pressed against the cage, preventing Showtime from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nister slowing the pace effectively.
Nister lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nister manages to pull guard.
Showtime looking to sit in guard and control but Nister gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Nister sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nister trying to control the position from guard on top but Showtime is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Showtime pulls Nister in close to prevent any damage.
Nister wants to control from the top but Showtime keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Showtime might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Sammel Nister has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Nister tries to close the distance and clinch up but Showtime swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Showtime wants to clinch.
Nister swats away the attempt to clinch by Showtime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nister keeps the fight on the outside.
Showtime works Nister's body with a nice hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Showtime looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nister fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nister throws a half hearted mid kick.
Showtime is looking to clinch but Nister is avoiding it.
Showtime shoots in but Nister avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Showtime scores with a jab to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rick Showtime will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Showtime throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Showtime tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nister sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Showtime somewhat.
Showtime dives in and grabs Nister's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nister pushes down on Showtime's head and hops out.
Nister shoots in looking for a takedown but Showtime manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nister's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Showtime moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rick Showtime is winning the standup battle so far.
Showtime fails with an attempt to clinch.
Showtime fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Showtime. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Showtime throws a right and a left that Nister avoids nicely.
Showtime looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Showtime misses with a low kick as Nister jumps back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Showtime lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nister circles away quickly and effectively.
A jab from Showtime misses.
Showtime tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nister checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Rick Showtime is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Nister closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nister lands in his opponent's guard.
Sammel Nister has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nister wants to control from the top but Showtime keeps moving.

Nister postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Showtime is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Nister, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Showtime wants to control from the top but Nister keeps moving.
Nister looking for a sweep. Not yet Nister, not yet.
Nister manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Showtime manages to get himself to full guard.
Nister throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nister controlling from the top position.
Nister is in close to Showtime's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nister trying to control the position from guard on top but Showtime is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nister lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nister controls from within his opponent's guard.

Nister drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nister jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nister in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nister is looking to work some ground and pound but Showtime has wrist control.
Nister trying to control the position from guard on top but Showtime is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nister sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sammel Nister has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nister lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nister is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rick Showtime is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nister accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sammel Nister comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Showtime 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rick Showtime!