PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nickolai Ketchum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Douglas Lima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ketchum's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, XXX by Danny Brown. Lima is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: DMX - Ain't no sunshine. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ketchum
vs
Lima

180 cm
33
167 lbs
23 - 15 - 0

177 cm
35
167 lbs
17 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nickolai Ketchum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Douglas Lima!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ketchum looks to score with a jab to the body but Lima is just out of range.
Ketchum throws a body punch but Lima moves out of range.
Lima is looking for the big counter here.
Ketchum swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Lima.
A nice combination there by Lima.
Ketchum goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Douglas Lima has been cut.
Lima uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ketchum.
Nickolai Ketchum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lima bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ketchum throws a series of punches but Lima avoids them all with ease.
Lima keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Despite the aggression on Lima's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lima moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ketchum misses with a hook
and Lima counters with a three punch combo that has Ketchum backing up. Ketchum nods at Lima to acknowledge the strikes.
Ketchum throws a jab when Lima was well out of range.
A jab from Ketchum misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ketchum throws an overhand right that lands on Lima's shoulder, as Lima tries to avoid the shot.
Ketchum fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lima manages to avoid it.
Ketchum tries to land a leg kick but Lima saw it coming and moves away.
Lima slips under a jab from Ketchum.
Ketchum scores with a jab to the body.
Lima takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lima dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ketchum. That did some damage!
Ketchum throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lima takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ketchum misses with a double jab.
Ketchum with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A slow jab from Lima misses its intended target.
An attempted straight right counter from Ketchum misses the target.
Ketchum takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lima showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ketchum.
Lima unleashes a big counter combination but Ketchum bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No joy there for Lima, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ketchum is looking to wear down Lima with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ketchum misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lima.
Ketchum just misses with a punch to the body.
Lima avoids the body shot from Ketchum.

Lima closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lima lands in his opponent's guard.
Lima looking to sit in guard and control but Ketchum gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ketchum would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Lima is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ketchum defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lima controls Ketchum momentarily but Ketchum frees himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lima is on top in guard.

Lima stands up over Ketchum, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ketchum looking for a sweep. Not yet Ketchum, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lima postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ketchum tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lima postures up.
Lima has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lima trying to control the position from guard on top but Ketchum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lima connects with a couple of short punches.
Lima is looking to work some ground and pound but Ketchum has wrist control.
Lima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ketchum is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ketchum seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Lima preventing the sweep.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
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 Nickolai Ketchum will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Douglas Lima's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lima tries to clinch but Ketchum moves out of range.
Ketchum lands a body shot.
Lima dodges the punch combination from Ketchum.
Lima is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Lima keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ketchum.
Lima uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ketchum.
Lima moves away from the strike by Ketchum.
Lima unleashes a big counter combination but Ketchum bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ketchum throws a body shot but no joy.
Ketchum cracks Lima with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lima tries to clinch but Ketchum is having none of it.
Ketchum misses with a double jab
and Lima counters with a slapping leg kick.
Lima scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ketchum lands a jab to the head.
Ketchum takes a swing at Lima's ribcage but misses.
Ketchum dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lima. That did some damage!
Ketchum misses with a wild body shot.
No joy there for Ketchum, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
As Ketchum backs off Lima throws a huge counter combo but Ketchum manages to avoid it all.
Lima uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ketchum.
Ketchum throws a right and a left that Lima avoids nicely.
Lima is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Ketchum swinging wildly here.
Lima tries to clinch up.
Ketchum throws a hook but Lima avoids it easily.
Lima is looking for the big counter here.
Ketchum lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ketchum swings for the body but Lima moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lima slips a jab from Ketchum.
Nickolai Ketchum is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ketchum misses with a series of wild punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Lima - that will leave a mark!
Ketchum takes a swing at Lima's ribcage but misses.
Ketchum throws a nice looking combination but Lima bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ketchum dodges the punch combination from Lima.
Lima wants to clinch up but Ketchum keeps it at a distance.
An attempted straight right counter from Ketchum misses the target.
Ketchum throws a right and a left that Lima avoids nicely.
Lima is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Lima closes the distance and clinches.
Ketchum gets underhooks to prevent Lima's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ketchum is struggling to control the position.
Lima tries to score a body lock takedown but Ketchum shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lima has Ketchum pressed against the cage, preventing Ketchum from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lima with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ketchum blocks an elbow strike.
Ketchum is trying to break the clinch but Lima has him pressed against the cage.
Lima missing with knees to the body.
Lima tries a knee to the head but Ketchum blocks it.
Lima tries to land a knee to the head but Ketchum blocks with his arms.
Lima comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lima misses with a knee strike.
Lima has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ketchum after a bit of a struggle.
Nickolai Ketchum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Douglas Lima.
Ketchum wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lima misses with an elbow strike.
Ketchum avoids the elbow strike from Lima, against the cage.
Ketchum wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ketchum has had enough of the clinch but Lima keeps him there for the moment.

Lima lands a takedown into guard.
Lima throwing strikes but missing.
Ketchum wants to stand but Lima is controlling the position.

Ketchum pushes Lima off and scrambles back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ketchum lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lima moves out of range as Ketchum strikes.
Ketchum throws a right and a left that Lima avoids nicely.
Ketchum is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lima can do to turn this around?
Lima fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lima showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ketchum.
Lima with the counter takedown but Ketchum avoids it easily.
No joy there for Ketchum, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ketchum misses with a shot to the body

and Lima counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Ketchum!

Lima is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ketchum knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ketchum can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lima is trying to get an arm triangle but Ketchum is defending well.

Lima thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ketchum wants to control but Lima postures up.

Lima goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ketchum has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Lima but great work by Ketchum.
Ketchum is looking to take a break and control but Lima is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lima is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Ketchum stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Ketchum misses the shot to the body.
Lima changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lima tries to clinch there but Ketchum circles away.
Sloppy strikes from Ketchum. Those never looked like landing.
Lima is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A punch combination from Ketchum misses.
Lima shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ketchum misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lima.
Lima keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lima looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
No joy there for Ketchum, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ketchum lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lima circles away quickly and effectively.
Ketchum throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lima throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ketchum swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lima shoots in for a takedown but Ketchum shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nickolai Ketchum is winning the standup battle so far.
Lima tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ketchum sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lima somewhat.
Ketchum swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nickolai Ketchum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ketchum swinging wildly here.

Lima rushes Ketchum and presses him up against the cage.
Lima throws an elbow but it misses.
Ketchum stops a takedown attempt from Lima.
Douglas Lima has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nickolai Ketchum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Douglas Lima.
Lima missing with knees to the body.
Lima tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lima misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ketchum.
Lima is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ketchum is defending well for now.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nickolai Ketchum showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ketchum, 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nickolai Ketchum!
During a confident post fight interview, Nickolai Ketchum thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.