PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Zavurov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bryan Nickoson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Zavurov might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Empire Of The Sun – Alive. Bryan Nickoson told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Zavurov
vs
Nickoson

172 cm
25
169 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
18
179 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Underworld Clothing
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shamil Zavurov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Bryan Nickoson!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nickoson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nickoson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nickoson throws a chopping leg kick but Zavurov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zavurov wants to land a leg kick but Nickoson is out of range.
Zavurov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nickoson but Nickoson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zavurov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Madz **21 Elite coaches** in the buildup to the fight.
Nickoson lands a head shot.
Zavurov slips a jab from Nickoson.
Nickoson throws a jab when Zavurov was well out of range.
Nickoson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zavurov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zavurov fails to land with a series of punches.
A big right from Zavurov misses.
A swing and a miss from Zavurov.
Nickoson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zavurov thows a leg kick but Nickoson checks it
and Nickoson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nickoson throws a front kick aimed at Zavurov's knee but Zavurov avoids it well.
An attempted straight right counter from Zavurov misses the target.
Nickoson's corner calls for a 1-2. Nickoson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickoson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Some wild striking there from Nickoson.
Zavurov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nickoson finds it's way round the side to connect with Zavurov's head.
Zavurov lands the left hand.
Nickoson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nickoson stalks Zavurov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zavurov's face. Zavurov staggers backwards, shaken.
Zavurov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zavurov looks to land a left hand but Nickoson moved out of range nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zavurov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shamil Zavurov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nickoson misses with a body shot.
Nickoson ducks under a wild hook from Zavurov.
Nickoson slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A combination from Nickoson does no damage.
Zavurov misses with a looping right.
Nickoson's corner calls for a 1-2. Nickoson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nickoson leaves Zavurov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nickoson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nickoson blocks a jab.
A big left from Zavurov misses.
Zavurov misses with a takedown
and Nickoson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zavurov misses with a wild body shot.
Despite the aggression on Nickoson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nickoson misses with a looping left.
Zavurov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A left and a right from Nickoson both land. Nice combination.
Nickoson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zavurov is out of range and Nickoson settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zavurov connects with a nice looking jab.
Bryan Nickoson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nickoson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nickoson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Zavurov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zavurov drops his hands momentarily and Nickoson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zavurov misses with a straight right.
Zavurov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nickoson is able to avoid easily.
Nickoson misses with a wild combination.
Zavurov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nickoson sprawls and moves away.
Nickoson checks a low kick from Zavurov.
Nickoson tries to bum rush Zavurov with a series of wild strikes but Zavurov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zavurov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
The fighters circling - Nickoson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nickoson is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Zavurov had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Nickoson throws a jab but it's blocked by Zavurov.
Zavurov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nickoson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickoson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zavurov misses with a low kick as Nickoson jumps back.
Nickoson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zavurov lands with a good body shot.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nickoson wants to slow Zavurov down by chopping away at his legs.
Nickoson misses with a double jab.
A jab from Nickoson misses.
Zavurov wants to slow Nickoson down by chopping away at his legs.
It seemed like Nickoson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Zavurov throws a jab when Nickoson was well out of range.
Zavurov misses with a left hand
letting Nickoson counter with a right hand.
Zavurov throws a leg kick but Nickoson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nickoson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nickoson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zavurov at a distance.
Nickoson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Nickoson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice uppercut there from Zavurov.
Nickoson tries to score with a low kick but Zavurov moves his leg out of the way.
Zavurov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Zavurov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nickoson throws a right and a left that Zavurov avoids nicely.
Zavurov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nickoson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zavurov swings widly with a right hand
and Nickoson counters with a stiff right hand.
Nickoson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nickoson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bryan Nickoson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nickoson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nickoson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The fighters circling - Zavurov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nickoson lands a nice looking body shot.
Nickoson jabs at Zavurov's body.
Zavurov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zavurov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nickoson circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickoson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Zavurov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nickoson counters with a two punch combo.
Nickoson dips to his left and cracks Zavurov with an uppercut!
Zavurov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nickoson.
Nickoson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Zavurov connects with a nice looking jab.
Zavurov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zavurov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nice defenses there by Zavurov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nickoson throws a leg kick
and Zavurov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nickoson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zavurov scores with a jab.
Nickoson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zavurov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickoson dips to his left and cracks Zavurov with an uppercut!
Zavurov looks to score with a jab to the body but Nickoson is just out of range.
Nickoson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Zavurov with a poor takedown
and Nickoson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Zavurov might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Nickoson swinging wildly here.
Zavurov misses with a low kick.
Zavurov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nickoson misses with an uppercut. Zavurov saw that one coming.
Nickoson blocks a low kick nicely.
Nickoson misses with a two punch combination.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Nickoson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Zavurov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Zavurov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Nickoson scores with the left hand. Zavurov knows he should have avoided that one.
Nickoson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zavurov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shamil Zavurov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Nickoson.
Zavurov feinted with a counter takedown.
Zavurov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nickoson lands a head shot.
Some wild striking there from Nickoson.
Nickoson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zavurov. Zavurov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zavurov misses with a hook to the body
and Nickoson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nickoson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nickoson lands with an overhand left.
Zavurov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Nickoson back to the cage. Zavurov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Bryan Nickoson has been cut.
Zavurov shoots in for a double leg but Nickoson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zavurov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zavurov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Zavurov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nickoson.
Nickoson jabs Zavurov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Zavurov ducks right into an uppercut from Nickoson.
Zavurov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Nickoson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nickoson misses with an uppercut. Zavurov saw that one coming.
Zavurov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Nickoson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zavurov misses with a body shot
and Nickoson counters with a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nickoson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nickoson slips under a jab.
Nickoson lands a head shot.
Nickoson slips a jab from Zavurov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Nickoson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bryan Nickoson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nickoson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A jab lands there for Nickoson.
A punch combination from Zavurov misses.
Nickoson lands a really nice looking cross but Zavurov seems unphased.
Bryan Nickoson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice cross by Nickoson.
Nickoson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zavurov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nickoson motions for Zavurov to come forward. Nickoson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zavurov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nickoson as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zavurov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The fighters circling - Nickoson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nickoson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zavurov's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickoson moves away from the strike by Zavurov.
Zavurov throws a leg kick
and Nickoson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Zavurov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Zavurov misses with a low kick.
Nickoson throws a nice looking combination but Zavurov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nickoson lands a really nice looking cross but Zavurov seems unphased.
Zavurov walks into a straight right hand from Nickoson.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Zavurov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zavurov staying calm.
Zavurov working away.
Shamil Zavurov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickoson pushes Zavurov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Zavurov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Zavurov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Zavurov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zavurov connects with a right hand. Nickoson shakes it off.
Zavurov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zavurov swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Nickoson to counter with a crisp jab.
Zavurov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nickoson counters with a straight right hand.
A punch combination from Nickoson misses.
Zavurov misses with a series of wild punches.
Zavurov looks to land a left hand but Nickoson moved out of range nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Nickoson. Those never looked like landing.
Nickoson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zavurov at a distance.
Nice jab there from Nickoson.
Nickoson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zavurov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Nickoson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shamil Zavurov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zavurov takes a swing at Nickoson's ribcage but misses.
Zavurov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nickoson.
Zavurov throws a leg kick but Nickoson checks it.
Nickoson fails to land with a series of punches.
Nickoson tries to move into range but Zavurov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A nice combination there by Nickoson.
Sloppy strikes from Zavurov. Those never looked like landing.
Nickoson jabs Zavurov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Zavurov misses with a wild body shot.
Nickoson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Zavurov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bryan Nickoson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nickoson 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bryan Nickoson!