PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Artie DeVanzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandr Nikitin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikitin is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Smack My Bitch Up . I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

DeVanzo
vs
Nikitin

182 cm
26
184 lbs
21 - 12 - 1

170 cm
28
175 lbs
13 - 12 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

On Tap (160Q & Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 1 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Artie DeVanzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 2, fighting out of New York, Alexandr Nikitin!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, David Schapiro and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikitin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. DeVanzo tries to avoid it but Nikitin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag DeVanzo to the ground. DeVanzo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
DeVanzo throws a body kick that misses
and Nikitin counters with a stiff right hand.
Nikitin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract DeVanzo.

Nikitin forces DeVanzo back against the cage and clinches.
The referee calls for DeVanzo to work.
Nikitin throws a punch but it's blocked by DeVanzo.
DeVanzo blocks an uppercut.
DeVanzo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nikitin looking to stall.
Nikitin misses with the head strike.
Nikitin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeVanzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
DeVanzo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
DeVanzo tries to work over Nikitin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
DeVanzo has a couple of punches blocked by Nikitin.
Nikitin misses with a punch on the inside.
DeVanzo trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeVanzo tries to work over Nikitin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nikitin lands with a left to the head.
DeVanzo misses with a punch on the inside.
Nikitin pushes DeVanzo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nikitin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with DeVanzo's elbow.
Nikitin misses with a hook from the clinch.
DeVanzo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nikitin's elbow.
Nikitin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
DeVanzo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nikitin prevents a body shot from DeVanzo.
Nikitin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nikitin has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by DeVanzo after a bit of a struggle.
DeVanzo blocks an uppercut.
Nikitin throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
DeVanzo tries to work over Nikitin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nikitin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nikitin looking for a takedown.
Artie DeVanzo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandr Nikitin.
DeVanzo trying to control the position but instead, Nikitin has worked for underhooks and has pushed DeVanzo into the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nikitin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from DeVanzo.
DeVanzo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nikitin's elbow.
DeVanzo presses Nikitin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A body shot lands from DeVanzo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
DeVanzo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
DeVanzo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nikitin gets through DeVanzo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nikitin struggles to land a body shot inside as DeVanzo controls his hands.

Nikitin has hold of one of DeVanzo's legs. DeVanzo is fighting the takedown attempt but Nikitin gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
DeVanzo pulls Nikitin in to control the position.
Nikitin trying to control the position from guard on top but DeVanzo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nikitin drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and DeVanzo dives on top into guard.

DeVanzo tries to free his leg and advance position but Nikitin is retaining full guard.
Nikitin working a defensive guard but DeVanzo manages to pass into side control anyway.
Nikitin can't do much from the bottom here.
Nikitin parries the strikes from DeVanzo easily there. DeVanzo is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Nikitin to escape.
Nikitin tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo staying calm.
Nikitin regains half guard.
Nikitin trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
DeVanzo controlling his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
DeVanzo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nikitin is looking to escape.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin is looking to get to half guard.
Nikitin sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Nikitin tries to get to full guard but DeVanzo has control of the leg.
Nikitin gets full guard.

That's six 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.
DeVanzo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
DeVanzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikitin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
DeVanzo throws a big right hand that misses.
Nikitin working a defensive guard but DeVanzo manages to pass into side control anyway.
Nikitin is looking for a sweep.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin manages to get back to half guard.
Nikitin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
DeVanzo won't allow Nikitin to sweep him here.
Nikitin can't keep his opponent in guard - DeVanzo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Nikitin wants to improve his position but DeVanzo is controlling well.
DeVanzo is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nikitin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
DeVanzo postures up.

Nikitin working for submissions but it's allowed DeVanzo to get to half guard.
Nikitin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
DeVanzo is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Nikitin 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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nikitin tries to score a power double leg takedown but DeVanzo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nikitin somewhat.

DeVanzo has closed the distance and engaged Nikitin in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nikitin takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nikitin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Artie DeVanzo.
I think DeVanzo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1 round of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 10:9
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 10:9
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 10:9

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artie DeVanzo!
A victorious Artie DeVanzo thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.