PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kolt Ganger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Nation (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.

Ganger
vs
Nation

165 cm
23
151 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

180 cm
24
162 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear

AnonymouS

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kolt Ganger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nikolai Nation!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Bruno Lombardi and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Ganger misses the target.
We've been informed that Nation has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Ganger throws a leg kick but Nation sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ganger tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nation is able to avoid easily.
Nation swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nation takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nation cracks a nice hook into Ganger's ribs.
Nation swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nation has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ganger.
Ganger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nation.
Nation is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ganger.
Nation avoids the body shot from Ganger.
Ganger looks to land a left hand but Nation moved out of range nicely.
Nation looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ganger throws a looping overhand right but Nation ducks down to avoid it.
Nation lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ganger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nation was well out of range. Poor timing from Ganger.
Ganger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nation lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nation sizes up Ganger with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ganger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nation throws a shot from downtown. Ganger moves away and avoids it.
Nation's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ganger under the eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ganger looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A little jabbing left from Nation on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nikolai Nation seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nation thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ganger scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ganger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nation looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ganger just misses with a punch to the body.
Ganger misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nation moves away from the strike by Ganger.
Ganger throws a jab but it's blocked by Nation.
Ganger looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nation sizes up Ganger with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nice cross by Nation.
Nation lands with a right hand.
Nation gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nation lands a glancing blow to the side of Ganger's head.

Ganger is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ganger throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nation counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nation lands a right hook to the body.
Ganger definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nation moves forwards but Ganger connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nation throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ganger counters with a nice leg kick.
Nation takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nikolai Nation is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ganger throws a body punch but Nation moves out of range.
Ganger moves out of range of the strikes.
Ganger blocks a jab.
Ganger throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A little jabbing left from Nation on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nation throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ganger stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nation missing with a left hand there. Ganger was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ganger looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Ganger throws a body shot but no joy.
Nation looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nation on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nation uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ganger.
Ganger bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nation cracks a nice hook into Ganger's ribs.
Nation thuds a left hand into Ganger's body.
Ganger tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nation manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ganger moves away from the strike by Nation.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nation throws a right hand that Ganger ducks under and follows up with a left that Ganger also avoids with ease.
Ganger cracks the inside of Nation's front leg.
Nation listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ganger ducks under a wild hook from Nation.
Ganger looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Ganger walks into a straight right hand from Nation.
Nation takes a swing at Ganger's ribcage but misses.
Nation is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Ganger punishes Nation's body with a nice straight punch.
Ganger fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nation doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nation staying out of range there.
Ganger tries to clinch up but Nation circles away and keeps his distance.
Nation staying out of range there.
Nation lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nation works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Oh Ganger is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ganger looks to throw the jab but Nation is out of range.
Ganger seems to have got his legs back now.
Nation throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ganger sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nation slips under a jab from Ganger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ganger misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nation lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nation swats away the attempt to clinch by Ganger.
Nation walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nation dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nation takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ganger takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Danga de danga de dang - Nation scores with a four punch combination!
A nice leg kick lands there from Ganger.
Nation scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ganger staying out of range there.
Nation slips under a jab from Ganger.
Ganger scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ganger misses with a left hand
and Nation counters with a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Nation dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nation misses with a wild body shot.
Ganger dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The fighters circling - Nation throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nation moves out of range as Ganger strikes.
Nation swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ganger throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ganger throws out a loose jab but Nation uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ganger throws out a loose jab but Nation uses good head movement to avoid it.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Ganger might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Nation throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ganger on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nation connects with a jab.
Nation has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nation swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ganger drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ganger.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nation! But no joy.

Ganger fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nation, pushing him back against the cage.
Nation is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ganger tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Ganger fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ganger is working for takedown but Nation is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nation is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nation is trying to break the clinch but Ganger has him pressed against the cage.
Nation looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ganger can't find room to land a body shot as Nation controls the action.
Ganger tries to throw a body punch but Nation avoids it by throwing Ganger back against the cage.
Ganger struggles to land a body shot inside as Nation controls his hands.
Ganger lands with a short shot to the head.
Nation lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Ganger breaks from the clinch.
A clash of legs there as Nation blocks the low kick.
Nation looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice defenses there by Ganger.
Ganger swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nation swings for the body but Ganger moves out of range.
Nation throws an overhand right that lands on Ganger's shoulder, as Ganger tries to avoid the shot.
A solid body kick from Ganger.
Nation swings for the body but Ganger moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nation displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The fighters circling - Ganger throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Nation misses.
Ganger is looking to counter the offense by Nation and move into the clinch.
Nation keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nation scores with a jab.
Ganger misses with a hook.
Nation takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ganger fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nation is out of range.
Ganger lands a nice looking body shot.
Nation ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ganger moves away.
Nation jabs Ganger to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ganger buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ganger displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nation throws out the jab.
Ganger appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nice jab there from Nation.
Nation darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ganger wants to land a leg kick but Nation is out of range.
Ganger takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nation lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ganger at a distance.
Ganger slips under a jab from Nation.
Nation misses with an uppercut.
Ganger appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nation misses with an uppercut.
Nation lands a right hook to the body.
Nation misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ganger.
Ganger appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nation staying out of range there.
Nation's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ganger lands a front kick.
Ganger lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ganger scores with a nice right hand.
Ganger misses the shot to the body.
Nation swings for the body but Ganger moves out of range.
Ganger moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ganger connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nation. Nation circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nation takes a swing at Ganger's ribcage but misses.
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!
Nation throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nation scores with a hook to the body. Ganger takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ganger tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nation is able to avoid easily.
Nikolai Nation seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ganger throws out a loose jab but Nation uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ganger defending well as Nation loads up on a big left hand.
Ganger scores with a one two! Nation had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nation moves out of range of the strikes.
Ganger looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ganger looks for the body kick but Nation saw that one coming.
Nation misses with an uppercut. Ganger saw that one coming.
Nation slips under a jab.

Ganger shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nation tries to get to full guard but Ganger has control of the leg.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ganger is trying to control. Nation wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nikolai Nation will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nation circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nation connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nation throws a series of punches but Ganger moves out of range.
Ganger buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Nation.
Nation slips under a jab from Ganger.
A nice side step and Nation releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A big right from Nation misses.
Nation takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ganger takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nation lands with an uppercut that bounces Ganger off the cage and back into range.
Ganger moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ganger fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nation has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ganger bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ganger will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nation throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nation lands a jab to Ganger's midsection.
Ganger lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ganger throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nation moves out of range as Ganger throws a body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nation thuds his right hand into Ganger's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ganger swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nation throws a good cross that connects.
Ganger staying out of range there.
Nation connects with a crisp jab.
Ganger slips a straight right by Nation.
Nation throws a shot from downtown. Ganger moves away and avoids it.
Ganger throws a push kick but Nation slaps the foot to one side.
A low kick from Ganger is predictable there
letting Nation counter with a right hand.
Ganger tried to score with a low kick but Nation checks it.
Nation lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ganger doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ganger misses with a hook to the body
and Nation counters with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ganger throws a body punch but Nation moves out of range.
Kolt Ganger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ganger on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ganger ducks under a wild hook from Nation.
Ganger lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nation looks to land a right hand but Ganger moved out of range.
Nation ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ganger moves away.
Ganger is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nation scores with a hook to the body. Ganger takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ganger connects with a body shot that sends Nation's belly button to the back.
Nation throws an overhand right that lands on Ganger's shoulder, as Ganger tries to avoid the shot.
Nation misses with a hook
and Ganger counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nation looks to land a combination but Ganger avoids it well.
Nation lands with a straight right. Ganger didn't see that one coming.
A big right from Ganger misses.
It seemed like Nation was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ganger throws a shot from downtown. Nation moves away and avoids it.
Ganger ducks right into an uppercut from Nation.
Nation lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ganger at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nation wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ganger throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Ganger fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nation checks it well.
Ganger walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ganger fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nation misses with a hook. Ganger ducked under it nicely.
Ganger fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Nation misses the target.
Ganger keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nation.
Ganger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ganger slips a jab from Nation.
Ganger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Ganger fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nation, pushing him back against the cage.
Nation is trying to break the clinch but Ganger is controlling him.
Nation trying to control the position but instead, Ganger has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nation into the cage.
Nation wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ganger has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ganger jumps guard and drags Nation to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Ganger being controlled here, momentarily.
Ganger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nation is one step ahead there.
Nation wanted to stand there but Ganger had control of the position.

Ganger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Nikolai Nation is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nation controls from within his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Nation comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nation 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Nation!
An out of breath Nikolai Nation thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.