PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iosue Nicu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Bourdain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nicu comes to the cage accompanied by It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Nicu
vs
Bourdain

190 cm
21
216 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

185 cm
21
212 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

KAISER
Sun-Tzu

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Iosue Nicu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anthony Bourdain!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nicu throws a sloppy head kick and Bourdain moves out of range easily.
Bourdain stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nicu.
Nicu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nicu misses with a low kick as Bourdain jumps back.
Bourdain lands with an uppercut that bounces Nicu off the cage and back into range.
Nicu fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bourdain checks it well.
Anthony Bourdain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nicu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bourdain.
Bourdain goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bourdain throws a leg kick
and Nicu counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bourdain throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Bourdain tries to clinch but Nicu is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bourdain throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bourdain avoids the head kick by Nicu.
Nicu checks a low kick from Bourdain.
Nicu throws a leg kick but Bourdain moved away.
Bourdain follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Bourdain misses with a body shot.
As Bourdain backs away, Nicu returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicu throws a sloppy head kick and Bourdain moves out of range easily.
Bourdain tries a quick counter leg kick but Nicu is wise to it.
Iosue Nicu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bourdain throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nicu throws a front kick aimed at Bourdain's knee but Bourdain avoids it well.
Bourdain blocks a head kick by Nicu.
Nicu fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bourdain.
Bourdain scores with a jab.

It looks like Iosue Nicu has been cut.
Nicu throws a front kick that sends Bourdain stumbling back into the cage.
Bourdain throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nicu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nicu shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nicu takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nicu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nicu throws a looping overhand right but Bourdain ducks down to avoid it.
Nicu chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bourdain has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Nicu doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bourdain misses with an uppercut.
Bourdain just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromNicu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bourdain moves out of range of the leg kick from Nicu.
Nicu wants to land a leg kick but Bourdain is out of range.
Nicu has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Nice body kick there by Bourdain.
Bourdain connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bourdain throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nicu checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nicu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nicu connects with a single shot there.
Bourdain fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nicu manages to avoid it.
Nicu digs a good hook to Bourdain's body.
Bourdain tries to land a front kick but Nicu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bourdain throws a lazy right hand but Nicu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A slapping body kick lands there for Nicu.
A big left from Bourdain misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourdain throws out a leg kick but Nicu moves out of range and Bourdain only half commits.
Bourdain misses with a hook to the body
and Nicu counters with a leg kick.
Nicu has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Bourdain.
Bourdain blocks a low kick nicely.
Bourdain swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Nicu counter with a right hand.
Bourdain drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

It looks like Anthony Bourdain has been cut.
Bourdain missing with a left hand there. Nicu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bourdain throws a leg kick but Nicu moved away.
Nicu looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Nicu scores with a jab to the body.
Nicu lands with a straight right. Bourdain didn't see that one coming.
Nicu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nicu throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bourdain throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nicu counters with a nice body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nicu checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicu dips to his left and cracks Bourdain with an uppercut!
Nicu avoids a kick to the body.
Bourdain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bourdain takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bourdain pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nicu swings for the body but Bourdain moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nicu.
Nicu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bourdain is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nicu rather than just go for the knockout.
Nicu tries to score with a low kick but Bourdain moves his leg out of the way.
Bourdain misses with a hook
and Nicu makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bourdain wants to clinch up but Nicu keeps it at a distance.
Bourdain's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nicu slips under a jab from Bourdain.
Bourdain just misses with a punch to the body.
Bourdain throws a wild body kick that Nicu sees coming a mile off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iosue Nicu dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bourdain misses with a low kick.
Bourdain tries to close the distance and clinch but Nicu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nicu thumps Bourdain with a low kick.
Bourdain 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.
Bourdain thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nicu feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Nicu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nicu throws a sloppy head kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Bourdain pushes Nicu away with a front kick.
Nicu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bourdain lands a jab to Nicu's midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bourdain scores with a hook to the body. Nicu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nicu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nicu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bourdain.
Nicu takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bourdain is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nicu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bourdain throws a head kick but Nicu moves out of range.
Nicu lands a high kick!
Bourdain lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nicu at a distance.

Bourdain gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bourdain lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bourdain is trying to pull guard but Nicu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nicu.
Nicu prevents a body shot from Bourdain.
Bourdain tries to pull guard but Nicu forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Bourdain jumps guard but Nicu stands there with Bourdain around his waist. Bourdain gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Iosue Nicu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Bourdain.
Nicu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bourdains head.
Bourdain is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Nicu to keep the fight standing.
Bourdain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Bourdain.

Nicu breaks the clinch.
Nicu bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's two 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!
A slapping leg kick lands for Nicu.
Nicu throws a head kick but Bourdain moves out of range.
Bourdain feints a counter leg kick.
Bourdain changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bourdain misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bourdain tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nicu was well out of range. Poor timing from Bourdain.
Bourdain blocks a head kick by Nicu.
Nicu connects with a crisp jab.
Nice uppercut there from Bourdain.
Nicu moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nicu lands a head shot.
Nicu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nicu defending well as Bourdain loads up on a big left hand.
Nicu looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Bourdain misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourdain tries to land a body kick
and Nicu counters with an outside leg kick.
Bourdain misses with a lunging right hand
and Nicu counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Bourdain is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Nicu feints and then cracks Bourdain's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bourdain down.
Bourdain misses the body punch
and Nicu counters with a nice body shot.
Nicu lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The fighters circling - Bourdain throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bourdain throws a lazy body kick
and Nicu counters with a good low kick that Bourdain was not able to check.
A good leg kick by Nicu.
Bourdain misses with a body kick.
Nicu wants to slow Bourdain down by chopping away at his legs.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Bourdain. Nicu shrugs it off though.
Bourdain misses with a body kick.
Nicu looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Bourdain throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nicu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nicu is looking to counter with head kicks.
Nicu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nicu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bourdain throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nicu thinks about countering with a body kick.
Nicu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nicu throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bourdain on the side of the head.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nicu throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nicu misses with a straight left.
Bourdain misses with a body shot.
Nicu thinks about countering with a body kick.
Bourdain chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nicu can pounce on him.

Bourdain has managed to clinch.
Bourdain tries a body shot but Nicu blocks it.
Still in the clinch, Nicu scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bourdain tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nicu smiles and moves away.
Nicu looks to land a body kick but Bourdain moved away.
Nicu throws a body shot but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Iosue Nicu will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bourdain checks a leg kick nicely.
Bourdain jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bourdain misses with a two punch combination.
Nicu half committed to a counter leg kick.
Bourdain scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Bourdain fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nicu manages to avoid it.
Nicu moves out of range as Bourdain throws a body kick.
Bourdain misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bourdain throws a chopping leg kick but Nicu manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nicu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicu lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bourdain's sensitive parts.
Bourdain pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nicu blocks a head kick by Bourdain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicu throws a head kick that Bourdain semi-blocks.
Bourdain thuds a left hand into Nicu's body.
Nicu tries to score with a low kick but Bourdain moves his leg out of the way.
Nicu backing away here, and Bourdain unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Bourdain throws a wild body kick that Nicu sees coming a mile off.
Nicu checks the leg kick.
Nicu misses with a body shot.
Bourdain misses the body punch
and Nicu counters with a nice low kick that buckles Bourdain's knee momentarily.
Bourdain takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
An inside leg kick from Bourdain misses.
Nicu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nicu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nicu.
Bourdain tries to land a leg kick but Nicu saw it coming and moves away.
Bourdain takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bourdain takes a swing at Nicu's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bourdain throws out a counter right but Nicu avoids it with no problem.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bourdain.
Bourdain misses with a hook.
It appears Nicu was looking to counter with a kick there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bourdain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bourdain doesn't manage to clinch there - Nicu circles away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bourdain.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nicu.
Bourdain misses with a body shot
and Nicu counters with an inside leg kick.
Nicu avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nicu half committed to a counter leg kick.
Nicu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nicu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bourdain takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A clash of legs there as Bourdain blocks the low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourdain misses with a hook. Nicu ducked under it nicely.
Bourdain tries to land a front kick but Nicu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bourdain on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nicu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nicu misses with a low kick.
Bourdain slips under a jab from Nicu.
Bourdain takes a swing at Nicu's ribcage but misses.
Bourdain throws a jab when Nicu was well out of range.
Bourdain looks to land a body kick but Nicu moved away.
An inside leg kick lands from Nicu.
Nicu throws the kick towards the body but Bourdain avoids it.
Bourdain throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bourdain lands a jab to Nicu's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Bourdain misses.
The fighters circling - Bourdain throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nicu lands a glancing blow to the side of Bourdain's head.
Bourdain lands a nice looking body shot.
Nicu scores with a leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bourdain sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Nicu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Bourdain closes the distance and clinches up with Nicu, looking for a takedown. Bourdain pushes Nicu against the cage but Nicu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nicu looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Nicu throws a head kick that misses.
Bourdain throws a head kick but Nicu moves out of range.
Nicu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bourdain finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bourdain swings for the body but Nicu moves out of range.
Nicu quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iosue Nicu clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bourdain takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Bourdain tries to close the distance and clinch but Nicu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nicu throws a head kick that Bourdain semi-blocks.
Bourdain misses with a body kick.
Nicu lands a front kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nicu.
Bourdain misses with an uppercut. Nicu saw that one coming.
Bourdain looks to score with a jab to the body but Nicu is just out of range.
Nicu feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Bourdain looks for the body kick but Nicu saw that one coming.
Nicu half committed to a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bourdain steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Bourdain's corner calls for a 1-2. Bourdain obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nicu connects with a right hand. Bourdain shakes it off.
Nicu throws a head kick that Bourdain semi-blocks.
Bourdain uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nicu.
Bourdain was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicu takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
You can see that Bourdain has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Nicu blocks a leg kick.
Nicu feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Nicu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bourdain thows a leg kick but Nicu checks it
and Nicu finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Iosue Nicu is winning the standup battle so far.
Bourdain chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nicu can pounce on him.
Bourdain throws a shot to the body.
Bourdain misses with a head kick.
Nicu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nicu tries a head kick but it misses.
Bourdain misses with a kick to the body.
Bourdain scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nicu doesn't seem bothered though.
Nicu comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bourdain let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Nicu moves out of range of the leg kick from Bourdain.
Nicu throws a push kick but Bourdain slaps the foot to one side.
Some bone on bone action there as Nicu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Bourdain misses with a body kick.
Bourdain pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bourdain has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Nicu.
Bourdain is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nicu lands a nice looking body kick.
Nicu throws a low kick, looking for Bourdain's leg but Bourdain calmly moves out of range.
Bourdain gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That has opened up Anthony Bourdain's cut even more.
Nicu takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bourdain takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bourdain throws out a loose jab but Nicu uses good head movement to avoid it.
As Bourdain backs away, Nicu returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourdain lands an overhand right.
Nicu thows a body kick. Bourdain tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Nicu lands a leg kick that knocks Bourdain off balance momentarily.
Bourdain has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Nicu.
Bourdain pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nicu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bourdain looks to score with a jab to the body but Nicu is just out of range.
Nicu misses with a kick to the body.
Bourdain lands a slapping body shot.
Bourdain throws a head kick but Nicu moves out of range.
Bourdain lands a right hook to the body.
Bourdain tries for a takedown but Nicu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nicu fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nicu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicu buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bourdain avoids the body shot from Nicu.
A countering left hand to the body from Bourdain misses.
Nicu blocks a jab.
Bourdain jabs at Nicu's body.
Nicu throws a leg kick that misses.
Nicu connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bourdain.
Bourdain tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A head kick from Nicu lands but Bourdain takes it in his stride.
The fighters circling - Bourdain throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nicu ducks under a wild hook from Bourdain.
Nicu scores with the left hand. Bourdain knows he should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iosue Nicu had his way with Anthony Bourdain in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bourdain misses with a low kick.
Nicu avoids the body shot from Bourdain.
Bourdain pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bourdain smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bourdain closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A low kick from Bourdain misses
and Nicu counters with a straight right hand.
Nicu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bourdain takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Bourdain is rocked!
Bourdain tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nicu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bourdain is still on wobbly legs! Can Nicu finish him?
Bourdain misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nicu.
Nicu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bourdain can do to turn this around?
Nicu thuds a left hand into Bourdain's body.
Bourdain seems to have recovered his senses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicu misses with a body shot.
Bourdain wants to counter with a clinch but Nicu pushes him away.
Bourdain is looking to score with low kicks.
Bourdain lands a leg kick that knocks Nicu off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bourdain throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nicu finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Bourdain is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Nicu - that will leave a mark!
Bourdain has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nicu.
Bourdain takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bourdain looks to land a right hand but Nicu moved out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bourdain. Nicu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bourdain misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Nicu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bourdain misses with a low kick as Nicu jumps back.
Nicu throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bourdain attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Bourdain throws the kick towards the body but Nicu avoids it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bourdain.
Nicu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Nicu!
Anthony Bourdain has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nicu bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Nicu - that will leave a mark!
Nicu fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nicu scores with a body shot.
Bourdain throws a head kick that misses.
Bourdain ducks right into an uppercut from Nicu.

The cut above Anthony Bourdain's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Nicu.
Nicu throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Nicu bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nicu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bourdain stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nicu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourdain closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nicu circles away.
Bourdain stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nicu.
Bourdain closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nicu circles away.
Nicu scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bourdain doesn't seem bothered though.
Bourdain takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Bourdain stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nicu.
Bourdain ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bourdain on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Bourdain swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It appears Nicu was looking to counter with a kick there.
Nicu lands with a kick to the temple. Bourdain shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Bourdain blocks a head kick by Nicu.
Bourdain tries to counter with a clinch but Nicu shakes him off and moves away.
Bourdain takes a swing at Nicu's ribcage but misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Bourdain. Nicu shrugs it off though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nicu thumps Bourdain with a low kick.
Nicu checks a low kick from Bourdain.
Nicu fires out a quick counter leg kick but Bourdain just manages to avoid it.
Bourdain throws a shot to the body.
Bourdain lands a nice looking body shot.
Iosue Nicu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nicu connects with a solid leg kick.
Bourdain fails with the takedown
and Nicu counters with a leg kick.
Iosue Nicu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Bourdain.
A low kick from Bourdain is predictable there
and Nicu counters with an outside leg kick.
Bourdain throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bourdain.
Nicu looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Bourdain takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Iosue Nicu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nicu, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:45
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iosue Nicu!
Iosue Nicu retains his light heavyweight title!
Our winner, Iosue Nicu, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.