PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mohamed Ali Said (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alonzo Nicholeson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ali Said
vs
Nicholeson

198 cm
26
260 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

190 cm
20
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mohamed Ali Said!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alonzo Nicholeson!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Jorge Garcia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ali Said scores with a shot to the body.
Nicholeson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Ali Said rushes Nicholeson and presses him up against the cage.
Ali Said leaning his opponent against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ali Said tries for a takedown but Nicholeson manages to get underhooks.

Nicholeson breaks from the clinch.
Ali Said fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nicholeson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nicholeson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ali Said counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali Said changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nicholeson tries to avoid it but Ali Said manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nicholeson to the ground. Nicholeson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mohamed Ali Said. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ali Said looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Ali Said gets to his feet - Nicholeson follows without any prompting.
Nicholeson looks winded!
Ali Said misses with a takedown attempt - Nicholeson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nicholeson tries for a takedown but Ali Said sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ali Said looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nicholeson keeps the fight on the outside.
Ali Said shoots in looking for a takedown but Nicholeson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ali Said's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ali Said misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicholeson swats away the attempt to clinch by Ali Said.
Nicholeson shoots for a double leg takedown but Ali Said sprawls well. He's pushed Nicholeson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nicholeson has a takedown stuffed.
Ali Said shoots in but no luck this time.
Nicholeson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ali Said plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A nice combination there by Ali Said.

Ali Said throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nicholeson was covering up waiting for the punch and Ali Said finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ali Said slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali Said working the ground and pound.

Ali Said stands up and beckons Nicholeson to his feet.
Ali Said shoots in looking for a takedown but Nicholeson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ali Said's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ali Said wants to clinch up but Nicholeson keeps it at a distance.
Ali Said fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ali Said throws a head kick that Nicholeson semi-blocks.
Ali Said fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ali Said dives in and scores a takedown into Nicholeson's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ali Said's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ali Said advances position into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ali Said works to advance to full mount. Nicholeson defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Ali Said controlling the pace for now.

Ali Said stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohamed Ali Said dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ali Said connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nicholeson's hands.
Ali Said fails with a takedown attempt.
Nicholeson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Nicholeson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ali Said is pressing down on Nicholeson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Ali Said is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nicholeson stopping the sweep attempt from Ali Said.
Nicholeson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ali Said. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Nicholeson is breathing heavily.
Ali Said controls Nicholeson momentarily but Nicholeson frees himself.
Ali Said is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nicholeson can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali Said wants to sweep here but Nicholeson controlling him for the moment.
Ali Said throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ali Said wants to stand and escape but Nicholeson is having none of it.
Nicholeson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Nicholeson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mohamed Ali Said overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ali Said controls Nicholeson momentarily but Nicholeson frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ali Said has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nicholeson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ali Said looking for a sweep. Not yet Ali Said, not yet.
Nicholeson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ali Said wants to sweep here but Nicholeson controlling him for the moment.
Ali Said trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicholeson trying to control but Ali Said is working from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Alonzo Nicholeson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nice sprawl there from Nicholeson as Ali Said shoots in.

Ali Said pushes Nicholeson up against the cage in a clinch.
Ali Said tries to pull guard but Nicholeson holds him up against the cage and eventually Ali Said drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mohamed Ali Said. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ali Said breaks the clinch.
Nicholeson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ali Said defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali Said thumps Nicholeson with a low kick.
Mohamed Ali Said is winning the standup battle so far.
Ali Said lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nicholeson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nicholeson wants it to stay on the feet.
Ali Said fails with the takedown.
Nicholeson tries to clinch but Ali Said is having none of it.
Nicholeson wants to clinch but Ali Said slips to the side

so Ali Said counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nicholeson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ali Said is one step ahead there.
Ali Said is stalling in the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohamed Ali Said dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ali Said lands a slapping body shot.
Ali Said shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nicholeson sprawls well. Nicholeson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ali Said gets slowly back to his feet.

Ali Said shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ali Said was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ali Said controls the position from side control.
Ali Said trying to control the position but Nicholeson is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ali Said looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Ali Said decides to stand up, so the ref orders Nicholeson to his feet.
Nicholeson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Nicholeson closes the distance and clinches.
Nicholeson goes for a takedown attempt but Ali Said pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ali Said dives in and grabs Nicholeson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nicholeson pushes down on Ali Said's head and hops out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicholeson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ali Said sprawls well. Ali Said wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nicholeson gets slowly back to his feet.
Ali Said pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nicholeson avoids the head kick by Ali Said.
Nicholeson slaps away a takedown attempt from Ali Said, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mohamed Ali Said. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ali Said fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ali Said fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nicholeson shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nicholeson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ali Said moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Alonzo Nicholeson has been cut.
Ali Said shoots in and drives through. Nicholeson sprawls well.
Nicholeson is looking to clinch but Ali Said is avoiding it.

Ali Said fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Nicholeson to the ground. Ali Said is now in Nicholeson's guard.

Nicholeson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ali Said is aware though and is defending well.
Ali Said sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Nicholeson's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ali Said passes into side control, despite Nicholeson's attempt to control the position.
Ali Said lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali Said is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Nicholeson's shoulder. That is not cool.
Ali Said works to advance to full mount. Nicholeson defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Ali Said sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Nicholeson working to try and regain half guard.
Alonzo Nicholeson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mohamed Ali Said is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nicholeson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nicholeson wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mohamed Ali Said showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ali Said has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mohamed Ali Said!
Mohamed Ali Said opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.