PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James Sunderland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasilko Nikolaevich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sunderland comes to the cage accompanied by Placebo - Running up that hill. 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.

Sunderland
vs
Nikolaevich

186 cm
32
182 lbs
16 - 16 - 0

178 cm
28
185 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 16 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Sunderland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vasilko Nikolaevich!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Ryoma Takatsuka and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nikolaevich clinches with his opponent.
Sunderland is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nikolaevich gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nikolaevich tries to break free but Sunderland pushes him back against the cage.
Nikolaevich gets underhooks to prevent Sunderland's takedown attempt.

Nikolaevich escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nikolaevich throws a head kick that misses.
Nikolaevich tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Sunderland gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sunderland wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Sunderland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sunderland jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nikolaevich walks away with a smile on his face. Sunderland gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nikolaevich has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Sunderland is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Nikolaevich jabs Sunderland to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Nikolaevich has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sunderland wants to take the fight to the mat but Nikolaevich manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sunderland tries to score a body lock takedown but Nikolaevich shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Nikolaevich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nikolaevich throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Sunderland fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nikolaevich, pushing him back against the cage.

Nikolaevich breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sunderland with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sunderland tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nikolaevich was well out of range. Poor timing from Sunderland.
Nikolaevich looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sunderland or perhaps it was just good defense by Nikolaevich, which made it look bad.
Sunderland connects with a body shot that sends Nikolaevich's belly button to the back.

Nikolaevich moves into the clinch.

Nikolaevich breaks the clinch.
Sunderland shoots in for a takedown but Nikolaevich shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sunderland tries to clinch
and Nikolaevich counters with a left and a right that stings Sunderland.
Sunderland fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nikolaevich lands a glancing blow to the side of Sunderland's head.

Nikolaevich takes the fight into the clinch.
Nikolaevich misses with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Nikolaevich fails to land.
Sunderland drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nikolaevich pulls his leg out and moves away.
James Sunderland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaevich throws the left hand but Sunderland avoids the punch easily.

Sunderland closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sunderland tries to pull guard but Nikolaevich holds him up against the cage and eventually Sunderland drops back down to his feet.
Nikolaevich is trying to force a seperation but Sunderland has the dominant position.

Nikolaevich breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Sunderland gets a clinch.
Sunderland is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nikolaevich is defending well.
Sunderland is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nikolaevich pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Nikolaevich's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nikolaevich lands with a shot to the body.
Sunderland shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nikolaevich defends it nicely.
Nikolaevich follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A head kick misses from Nikolaevich.

Sunderland forces Nikolaevich back against the cage and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Nikolaevich's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaevich is trying to break free.
Sunderland goes for a takedown attempt but Nikolaevich pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nikolaevich.
Sunderland drops his hands momentarily and Nikolaevich takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nikolaevich fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sunderland avoids it really well and circles away.
Sunderland scores with a jab to the body.

Sunderland has managed to clinch.
Sunderland tries to score a body lock takedown but Nikolaevich shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Nikolaevich manages to break the clinch.
Nikolaevich wants to clinch up but Sunderland keeps it at a distance.
Sunderland fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaevich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice takedown defense from Nikolaevich. No joy for Sunderland on that attempt.
Nikolaevich looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sunderland fails with an attempt to clinch.

Sunderland gets tackled into the cage by Nikolaevich. Nikolaevich maintains the clinch.
Sunderland wants a takedown but no success here.
Sunderland tries to score a body lock takedown but Nikolaevich shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nikolaevich wants to break free but Sunderland has control.
Nikolaevich working hard to break the clinch.
Nikolaevich is trying to break the clinch but Sunderland is controlling him.

Nikolaevich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sunderland tries to clinch up but Nikolaevich circles away and keeps his distance.
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!
Sunderland showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nikolaevich.
Sunderland fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nikolaevich swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nikolaevich tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sunderland is able to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilko Nikolaevich dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sunderland keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sunderland moves in looking to clinch but Nikolaevich pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sunderland looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice sprawl there from Nikolaevich as Sunderland shoots in.
Nikolaevich steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Sunderland is looking to slow Nikolaevich down with leg kicks.
Nikolaevich tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nikolaevich tries to clinch there but Sunderland circles away.

Nikolaevich pushes Sunderland up against the cage in a clinch.
Nikolaevich lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sunderland backwards.
Sunderland is looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikolaevich wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nikolaevich tries to circle away but Sunderland has him pinned against the cage.

Nikolaevich manages to break the clinch.
Sunderland tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nikolaevich swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Sunderland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikolaevich tries to clinch but Sunderland moves out of range.
Sunderland tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vasilko Nikolaevich seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaevich lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nikolaevich throws a jab when Sunderland was well out of range.
Nikolaevich lands with an overhand left.
Sunderland fails with a takedown attempt.
Nikolaevich leaves Sunderland with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nikolaevich misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nikolaevich looks to land a right hand but Sunderland moved out of range.
Sunderland tries to close the distance and clinch but Nikolaevich swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sunderland shoots for a takedown but Nikolaevich saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sunderland moves out of range as Nikolaevich throws a body kick.
Sunderland throws a big counter combination but Nikolaevich scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nikolaevich misses with a head kick.
Vasilko Nikolaevich is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sunderland circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sunderland is looking to counter with a body kick.

Sunderland forces Nikolaevich back against the cage and clinches.
Nikolaevich is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nikolaevich breaks from the clinch.
Nikolaevich takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sunderland tries to clinch but Nikolaevich moves away
and Nikolaevich counters with a solid body kick.
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!
Sunderland tries to clinch up.
Sunderland misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nikolaevich.
Nikolaevich tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sunderland paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nikolaevich throws a head kick but Sunderland moves out of range.
Nikolaevich looks to land a body kick but Sunderland moved away.
Sunderland shoots for a takedown but Nikolaevich saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sunderland moves out of range of the strikes.
Nikolaevich looks to land a combination but Sunderland avoids it well.

Nikolaevich drives through and clinches with Sunderland against the cage.
Nikolaevich prevents a takedown attempt there.

Nikolaevich jumps guard.
Nikolaevich is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sunderland throws a big elbow that misses.
Sunderland postures up in Nikolaevich's guard and throws a big left but Nikolaevich blocks it.
Sunderland missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nikolaevich trying to keep a closed guard but Sunderland is proving a slippery customer.
Sunderland with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nikolaevich preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sunderland throws a big elbow that misses.
Sunderland throws a strike but Nikolaevich rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sunderland has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nikolaevich can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikolaevich wants to stand but Sunderland is controlling his posture from full guard.
Nikolaevich has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Nikolaevich got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sunderland has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nikolaevich has managed to get both his arms back between Sunderland's legs - danger averted.
Nikolaevich tries to free his leg and advance position but Sunderland is retaining full guard.
Sunderland has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sunderland keeping moving, preventing Nikolaevich from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Nikolaevich is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Nikolaevich clinches.
Nikolaevich scores with a shot to the side of Sunderland's head.
Nikolaevich has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sunderland prevents Nikolaevich from breaking the clinch.
Sunderland is looking for a takedown.

Nikolaevich pulls guard successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilko Nikolaevich showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nikolaevich pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Nikolaevich as Sunderland shoots in.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Nikolaevich.
Nikolaevich misses with a straight right.
Nikolaevich misses with a wild body shot.
A combination from Nikolaevich does no damage.
A swing and a miss from Sunderland.

Sunderland rushes Nikolaevich and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sunderland wants to take the fight to the mat but Nikolaevich manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Nikolaevich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sunderland closes the distance but Nikolaevich moves to the side
and Nikolaevich connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sunderland comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A lazy left from Nikolaevich finds it's target.
Nikolaevich misses with a head kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sunderland or perhaps it was just good defense by Nikolaevich, which made it look bad.
Nikolaevich appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Sunderland. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaevich swats away the attempt to clinch by Sunderland.
Sunderland tries to clinch but Nikolaevich moves out of range.
Sunderland tries to close the distance and clinch but Nikolaevich swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sunderland avoids the head kick by Nikolaevich.
Sunderland fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sunderland backing away here, and Nikolaevich unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

Nikolaevich gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sunderland goes for a takedown attempt but Nikolaevich pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nikolaevich lands a nice hook to Sunderland's body. Sunderland takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sunderland is looking to wear down Nikolaevich with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Sunderland closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nikolaevich is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Nikolaevich is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaevich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sunderland keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sunderland swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Sunderland moves into the clinch successfully.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nikolaevich.

Nikolaevich's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sunderland misses with a takedown
enabling Nikolaevich to counter with a crisp jab.
Nikolaevich scores with a punch to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sunderland slips a jab from Nikolaevich.
Nikolaevich jabs Sunderland right on the nose. Sunderland blinks but takes it well.
Nikolaevich throws a head kick but Sunderland moves out of range.

Nikolaevich closes the distance and clinches.
Sunderland tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nikolaevich smiles and moves away.
A punch lands to the side of Sunderland 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Vasilko Nikolaevich is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sunderland gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nikolaevich counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sunderland throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nikolaevich is looking for the big counter here.
Nikolaevich throws a head kick but Sunderland moves out of range.
Sunderland takes one to the chin there.
Sunderland fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sunderland walks into a left hand.

Sunderland gets a clinch.
Sunderland is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nikolaevich pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Sunderland pulls guard effortlessly.

Sunderland is looking for a triangle but Nikolaevich pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nikolaevich is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Sunderland escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nikolaevich gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaevich gets to his feet. Sunderland looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Sunderland lands a slapping body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Nikolaevich. Those never looked like landing.

Nikolaevich moves into range and clinches up with Sunderland.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikolaevich is trying to break free.
Nikolaevich gets underhooks to prevent Sunderland's takedown attempt.

Nikolaevich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
James Sunderland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Nikolaevich rushes Sunderland and presses him up against the cage.
Sunderland misses with an elbow over the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasilko Nikolaevich comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nikolaevich has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasilko Nikolaevich!
An out of breath and clearly excited Vasilko Nikolaevich thanked Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40) for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).