PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bill Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bram Nijhoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hicks
vs
Nijhoff

170 cm
31
154 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

178 cm
23
165 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bill Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bram Nijhoff!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nijhoff drives through with a takedown into Hicks's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Nijhoff lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nijhoff makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nijhoff postures up.
Nijhoff trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hicks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nijhoff working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nijhoff lands a couple of elbows.
Hicks looking to control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nijhoff accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nijhoff in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nijhoff throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hicks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hicks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nijhoff working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hicks wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nijhoff shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hicks is trying to defend but Nijhoff finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Nijhoff throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hicks moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nijhoff with a nice head shot there.
Nijhoff trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nijhoff throws a big right hand that misses.
Hicks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nijhoff works over Hicks with some ground and pound from guard.

Nijhoff avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nijhoff lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks trying to keep a closed guard but Nijhoff is proving a slippery customer.
Hicks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nijhoff.
Nijhoff lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nijhoff trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hicks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nijhoff trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Nijhoff postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nijhoff throwing strikes from guard but Hicks blocks nicely.
Nijhoff preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Nijhoff changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hicks looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nijhoff tries to score with some ground and pound. Hicks controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The strikes coming from Nijhoff are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Nijhoff working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Nijhoff working away.
Nijhoff fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Nijhoff misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Nijhoff cracks Hicks with a big elbow.
Nijhoff scoring with punches from side control.
Nijhoff tries to score with some ground and pound. Hicks controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Nijhoff landing strikes.
Nijhoff connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hicks some visible discomfort.
Hicks tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nijhoff sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hicks is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Nijhoff has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nijhoff.
Nijhoff lands an elbow.
Hicks managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nijhoff.
Hicks takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Nijhoff working the body and head with strikes.
Hicks is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Hicks manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Nijhoff working the head and body with strikes.
Nijhoff sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hicks defending well though.
Nijhoff seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hicks tries to roll over but Nijhoff keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hicks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nijhoff pulls his head out easily.
Nijhoff sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hicks defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bram Nijhoff dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nijhoff dives in and scores a takedown into Hicks's guard.
Hicks is pulling down on Nijhoff's head to control his posture.
Nijhoff is in close to Hicks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nijhoff throwing strikes from guard but Hicks blocks nicely.
Nijhoff distracts Hicks with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Nijhoff is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nijhoff trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nijhoff throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nijhoff postures up and lands a big shot to Hicks's brow.
Hicks is trying to control the position but Nijhoff postures up.
Nijhoff content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hicks has momentary wrist control but Nijhoff slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks trying to keep a closed guard but Nijhoff is proving a slippery customer.
Nijhoff is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nijhoff postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hicks wants to sweep here but Nijhoff controlling him for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Nijhoff scores with a takedown into Hicks's guard.

Hicks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nijhoff is aware though and is defending well.
Hicks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nijhoff cracks Hicks with a solid left hand.
Nijhoff has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nijhoff working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nijhoff is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nijhoff throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hicks wants to sweep here but Nijhoff controlling him for the moment.
Nijhoff postures up in Hicks's guard and throws a big left but Hicks blocks it.
Hicks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nijhoff postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nijhoff preventing the sweep.
Nijhoff is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nijhoff won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.
Hicks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hicks trying to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Hicks looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Nijhoff counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hicks tries to get to full guard but Nijhoff has control of the leg.
Nijhoff throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hicks wants to get back to full guard.
Hicks is pressing down on Nijhoff's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nijhoff keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hicks's head.
Nijhoff working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nijhoff throwing strikes but missing.
Nijhoff won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nijhoff slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Check out the look on Nijhoff's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Hicks taking a bit of punishment here - Nijhoff scoring with strikes.
Nijhoff lands some shots froms side control.
Nijhoff landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Hicks is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Nijhoff looks up at the clock and then as Hicks takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Nijhoff smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Nijhoff tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Nijhoff tries to advance to mount but Hicks denies him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hicks takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nijhoff tries to score with some ground and pound. Hicks controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bram Nijhoff showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hicks gets caught napping as Nijhoff dives in and scores a takedown. Hicks manages to retain guard.
Hicks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nijhoff with a nice head shot there.
Nijhoff working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Hicks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nijhoff is aware though and is defending well.
Nijhoff throws a big right hand that misses.
Hicks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nijhoff content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nijhoff missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nijhoff scoring with some ground and pound.
Hicks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nijhoff is one step ahead there.
Nijhoff scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nijhoff lands a couple of digs.
Nijhoff is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nijhoff throws a big right hand that misses.
Nijhoff scoring with punches to the head and body.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hicks is on top in guard.

Hicks tries to free his leg and advance position but Nijhoff is retaining full guard.
Hicks looking to sit in guard and control but Nijhoff gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nijhoff throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hicks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nijhoff postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks working a defensive guard here.
Nijhoff landing some decent shots from guard.
Nijhoff throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nijhoff's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nijhoff is looking to work some ground and pound but Hicks has wrist control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nijhoff's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hicks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hicks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nijhoff is one step ahead there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hicks is looking to land body kicks.
Nijhoff feints the counter takedown.
Bill Hicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Hicks gets caught flat footed, as Nijhoff shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nijhoff lands a couple of elbows.
Hicks tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Hicks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nijhoff can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hicks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hicks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nijhoff postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hicks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nijhoff scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Nijhoff scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nijhoff throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hicks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nijhoff throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Nijhoff drives through with a takedown into Hicks's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Nijhoff slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Bram Nijhoff has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hicks takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Nijhoff tries to advance to mount but Hicks denies him.
Nijhoff lands a decent elbow from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nijhoff in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Check out the look on Nijhoff's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

And that's the end of the fight!
Bram Nijhoff comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nijhoff 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bram Nijhoff!
Our winner, Bram Nijhoff, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.