PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Skunk Asap (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joel Nicola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Skunk Asap has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Asap
vs
Nicola

190 cm
26
215 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

175 cm
26
214 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Dangerous knees
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Vikai Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Skunk Asap!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joel Nicola!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Peter Branson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asap moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nicola fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Asap manages to avoid it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Asap, right into the meat.
Asap lands a leg kick that knocks Nicola off balance momentarily.

Asap forces Nicola back against the cage and clinches.
Nicola wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nicola fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nicola wants to get back to striking at distance but Asap won't allow it.

Asap breaks the clinch.
Nicola fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Asap manages to avoid it.
Asap is looking to score with low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicola lands a nice looking body shot.

Asap has closed the distance and engaged Nicola in a clinch.

Asap breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Asap avoids the body shot from Nicola.
Asap is looking to counter the offense by Nicola and move into the clinch.
Asap throws a leg kick but Nicola moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asap throws the kick towards the body but Nicola avoids it.
A countering left hand to the body from Nicola misses.
Asap throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nicola misses the shot to the body.
Asap throws a head kick but Nicola moves out of range.
Asap throws a head kick but Nicola moves out of range.
Asap moves out of range of the body kick.

Asap fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nicola, pushing him back against the cage.
Asap with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Nicola breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nicola misses with a two punch combination.
Nicola misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Asap instigates a clinch.
Asap tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nicola tries to break free but Asap pushes him back against the cage.
Asap stalling against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asap stalling the fight.
Asap gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Asap misses with a knee to the head.

Asap breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nicola is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Asap rather than just go for the knockout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nicola has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Asap.
Nicola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Asap was well out of range. Poor timing from Nicola.
Asap displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nicola throws out the jab.
Nicola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Asap.
Nicola throws a head kick that misses.

Nicola lands a big head kick that sends Asap tumbling to the mat! Nicola takes a step backwards and waves Asap back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Asap is rocked!

It looks like Skunk Asap has been cut.
Nicola misses with a wild body shot.
As Nicola tries to get set, Asap tries to push him back and clinch up but Nicola manages to avoid the attempt.
Oh Asap is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Asap goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nicola swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A head kick misses from Asap.
Asap seems to have got his legs back now.
Asap throws a head kick but Nicola moves out of range.

Nicola tries to keep at a distance but Asap has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asap manages to break the clinch.
Nicola checks a leg kick.
Asap buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Skunk Asap seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nicola throws a body punch but Asap moves out of range.
Nicola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Asap.
Nicola jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nicola just misses with a punch to the body.
Asap is looking to slow Nicola down with leg kicks.
Asap uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nicola.
Asap shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Asap tries to clinch but Nicola moves out of range.
Nicola now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Nicola swings for the body but Asap moves out of range.
Asap throws a head kick that misses.

Asap clinches up with Nicola and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asap is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nicola is defending well for now.
Asap using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nicola has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Asap throws a knee to the head but misses.
Asap is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Asap breaks from the clinch.
Asap fakes the leg kick and cracks Nicola in the body.
Asap keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nicola moves out of range as Asap throws a body kick.
Nicola throws a body shot but no joy.
Asap connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Asap moves out of range as Nicola throws a body kick.
Nicola throws a body punch but Asap moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Skunk Asap will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Skunk Asap's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nicola looks to land a body kick but Asap moved away.
The fighters circling - Nicola throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nicola moves out of range of the leg kick from Asap.
Nicola on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Asap. Asap obviously looking to wear him down.
A leg kick checked by Nicola.
Asap wants to clinch up but Nicola keeps it at a distance.
Nicola rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Asap moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nicola misses with a hook. Asap ducked under it nicely.
Asap throws a counter high kick but Nicola was just alert enough to avoid it.
Nicola misses with a body shot.
Asap fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nicola is out of range.
Asap moves out of range as Nicola throws a body kick.
Asap throws a half hearted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicola with a hook.
Skunk Asap is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nicola takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Asap tries to clinch but Nicola is having none of it.
Nicola checks the leg kick.
Asap throws a front kick aimed at Nicola's knee but Nicola avoids it well.
A slapping body kick lands there for Asap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Asap was well out of range. Poor timing from Nicola.
Asap looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Joel Nicola seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Asap wants to slow Nicola down by chopping away at his legs.
Nicola's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Asap looks for the body kick but Nicola saw that one coming.
Asap throws a head kick but Nicola moves out of range.
Nicola avoids the head kick by Asap.
Asap throws a sloppy head kick and Nicola moves out of range easily.
Nicola misses with a hook to the body

and Asap counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nicola is trying to break the clinch but Asap is controlling him.
Asap with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Nicola.
Asap tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nicola avoids it.
Asap landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicola throws a head punch that misses.
Asap tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Asap using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nicola has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Asap as Nicola tries to tie him up.
Asap has Nicola pushed against the cage.

Asap breaks from the clinch.
Asap fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nicola has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nicola misses with an uppercut. Asap saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Asap there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Asap throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nicola tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nicola takes a swing at Asap's ribcage but misses.
Asap turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nicola misses with a looping left.
Nicola misses with a hook.

Asap has closed the distance and engaged Nicola in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Nicola's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Asap using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nicola has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Asap missing with knees to the body.
Asap tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Asap keeps control of Nicola as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asap misses with a knee to the head.

Asap breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Asap wants to land a leg kick but Nicola is out of range.
Asap scores with a leg kick.
Nicola fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Asap tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nicola is able to avoid easily.
Nicola lands a nice shot that snaps Asap's head back.
A chopping leg kick lands by Asap.
Asap thuds his shin into the meat of Nicola's side.
Asap moves away from the strike by Nicola.
Asap feinted there with a counter leg kick.

Asap clinches up against the cage.
Asap throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nicola blocks it with crossed arms.
Skunk Asap has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Asap with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Asap tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Skunk Asap dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Skunk Asap's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nicola connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Asap momentarily.
Asap is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nicola can do to turn this around?

Asap clinches.
Nicola wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Asap has him pressed against the cage.
Asap is pushing Nicola up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Asap keeps control of Nicola as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nicola misses with some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of stalling here from Asap.
Nicola wants to break free but Asap has control.
Asap tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asap landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nicola looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Asap with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Asap breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Asap takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nicola throws a body punch but Asap moves out of range.
Nicola throws a body punch but Asap moves out of range.
Nicola fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Asap manages to avoid it.
Nicola tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Asap misses with a head kick.
Nicola throws a head kick but Asap moves out of range.
Asap misses with a head kick.
Asap tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nicola paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicola misses with an attempted mid kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Asap looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nicola tries a quick counter leg kick but Asap is wise to it.
Asap pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Asap avoids the body shot from Nicola.
A head kick misses from Asap.
Asap takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Asap fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nicola has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Asap closes the distance and pushes Nicola back into the cage.
Nicola wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Asap with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Still in the clinch, Nicola scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nicola looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicola working hard to break the clinch.
Asap has Nicola pressed against the cage, preventing Nicola from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nicola is trying to break free.
Asap working Nicola over with knees to the body.

Asap manages to break the clinch.
Asap throws a leg kick but Nicola moved away.
Nicola has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Asap.
Nicola blocks a head kick by Asap.
A slapping body kick lands there for Asap.
Nicola pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Asap has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Asap there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asap avoids the body shot from Nicola.
Asap throws out a leg kick but Nicola moves out of range and Asap only half commits.
A head kick misses from Asap.
Nicola throws a jab when Asap was well out of range.
And Asap counters with a quick kick to the body but Nicola blocks it.
Nicola dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Asap looks to clinch
and Nicola counters with a nice body shot.
Nicola lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Asap at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nicola just misses with a punch to the body.
Nicola takes a kick to the side of the head.
Asap throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nicola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Asap slips a straight right by Nicola.
Nicola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Asap.
Nicola takes a swing at Asap's ribcage but misses.
Joel Nicola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Skunk Asap is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Asap tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Skunk Asap.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Asap, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Skunk Asap!
Skunk Asap seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.