PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nikolay Nechvidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spiros Vondopoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Nechvidov
vs
Vondopoulos

173 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Zenith Nutrition (160q)

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Nechvidov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Spiros Vondopoulos!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vondopoulos shoots in looking for a takedown but Nechvidov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vondopoulos's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vondopoulos looks to land a combination but Nechvidov avoids it well.
Vondopoulos shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nechvidov sprawls well. Nechvidov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Vondopoulos gets slowly back to his feet.

Vondopoulos tries to sprawl but Nechvidov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Vondopoulos moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vondopoulos trying to keep a closed guard but Nechvidov is proving a slippery customer.
Vondopoulos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vondopoulos tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vondopoulos will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Vondopoulos scrambles and gets back to his feet.
A punch combination from Vondopoulos misses.

Nechvidov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Vondopoulos is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vondopoulos tries to roll over but Nechvidov keeps him under control.
Nechvidov is pressing down on Vondopoulos's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vondopoulos is holding on for now.
Vondopoulos is controlling Nechvidov's trapped leg to prevent Nechvidov from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vondopoulos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Vondopoulos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nechvidov pulls his head out easily.
Vondopoulos wants to get back to his feet.
Vondopoulos moves into full guard.
Vondopoulos wants to control but Nechvidov passes easily into half guard.
Vondopoulos pushes Nechvidov off looking to stand but Nechvidov dives back in and keeps control.
Vondopoulos wants to control but Nechvidov is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vondopoulos is trying to stand.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vondopoulos is trying to control but can't.
Vondopoulos is trying to stand.
Vondopoulos wants to get back to full guard.
Vondopoulos landing small, sideways elbows.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Nechvidov scores with a takedown into Vondopoulos's guard.
Vondopoulos keeping full guard, as Nechvidov tries to pass.
Nechvidov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vondopoulos on the ground.
Vondopoulos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nechvidov is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vondopoulos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nechvidov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Vondopoulos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Vondopoulos is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nechvidov is aware though and is defending well.
Vondopoulos keeping moving, preventing Nechvidov from controlling successfully.
Vondopoulos controls Nechvidov momentarily but Nechvidov frees himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vondopoulos is striking off his back. Nechvidov thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Spiros Vondopoulos will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Horrible takedown attempt by Vondopoulos or perhaps it was just good defense by Nechvidov, which made it look bad.
Vondopoulos has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Nechvidov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Vondopoulos is looking to clinch.

Nechvidov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Vondopoulos trying to control here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vondopoulos is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nechvidov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nechvidov's back!

Vondopoulos tightening his grip on Nechvidov, looking for the choke.

Vondopoulos looking for the choke but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vondopoulos working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Vondopoulos is persistently looking for the submission but Nechvidov is defending it well.
Nechvidov tries to escape but Vondopoulos has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nechvidov covering up well and avoiding damage.
Nechvidov looking very determined here, making life difficult for Vondopoulos.

Vondopoulos is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Vondopoulos misses with a punch to the head.
Nechvidov looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Vondopoulos tightening his grip on Nechvidov, looking for the choke.

Vondopoulos is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nechvidov trying to control but not successfully.

Nechvidov is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Vondopoulos tightening his grip on Nechvidov, looking for the choke.

Vondopoulos working for a choke but Nechvidov is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nechvidov showing good submission defense here.
Vondopoulos keeps control of the position as Nechvidov tries to break free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Vondopoulos has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Nechvidov has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spiros Vondopoulos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Vondopoulos looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Nechvidov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Vondopoulos is trying to defend but Nechvidov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Nechvidov is thwarting Vondopoulos's attempts to control the position.
Vondopoulos is trying to stand back up but Nechvidov is controlling him
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vondopoulos wants to improve his position but Nechvidov is controlling well.
Nechvidov slips a nice elbow through Vondopoulos's hands, connecting with Vondopoulos's forehead.

Nechvidov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vondopoulos moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Vondopoulos is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nechvidov defends well.
Vondopoulos keeping full guard, as Nechvidov tries to pass.

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

Vondopoulos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nechvidov wants to get up but he can't break Vondopoulos's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vondopoulos manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nechvidov manages to get himself to full guard.

Nechvidov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vondopoulos looking to pass the guard.
Vondopoulos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nechvidov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vondopoulos has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Nechvidov is proving hard to escape from.

Vondopoulos drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Nechvidov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vondopoulos has Nechvidov in his guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vondopoulos is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vondopoulos wants to control from the top but Nechvidov keeps moving.
Nechvidov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nechvidov tries to get out of the position.
Vondopoulos works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Vondopoulos is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nechvidov is just riding it out for now. Vondopoulos eventually gives up the hold.
Vondopoulos stops Nechvidov from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Vondopoulos tries to stand but can't do so whilst Nechvidov controls his leg.

Vondopoulos has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Nechvidov defend it? Vondopoulos steps over the head and cranks it - Nechvidov is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Vondopoulos!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:13 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Spiros Vondopoulos!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Spiros Vondopoulos made sure he mentioned Zenith Nutrition (160q), along with how happy he was to win his fight.