PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Darryl Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nolan Nicolino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Swanson
vs
Nicolino

205 cm
24
193 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
189 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Darryl Swanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nolan Nicolino!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Bruno Lombardi and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nicolino moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Darryl Swanson has been cut.
Nicolino swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Swanson counters with a stiff right hand.
Nicolino throws a jab but it's blocked by Swanson.
Nicolino misses with a jab, cross combination.
Swanson is looking to counter with a body kick.
Swanson slips a jab and a cross from Nicolino.
Swanson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Nicolino clinches up with Swanson and pushes him back against the cage.
Swanson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nicolino's efforts to push away.

Swanson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Nicolino uses from the top position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Swanson holds on and takes a little breather.

Nicolino decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Swanson, up you get!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nicolino, as that shot connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Swanson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nicolino.
Swanson feinted with a counter takedown.
No joy there for Nicolino, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Swanson throws a big counter combination but Nicolino scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicolino misses with a series of wild punches.
Nicolino throws a lazy head kick
and Swanson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Swanson slips a jab from Nicolino.
Swanson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A shot to the body from Nicolino misses
and Swanson counters with a left to the body.
Nicolino misses with a two punch combination.
Swanson appears to be looking for a big counter.

Swanson darts in and clinches Nicolino up against the cage.
Swanson keeps control of Nicolino as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Swanson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Nicolino won't allow Swanson to sweep him here.
Swanson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Swanson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicolino tries to stand but Swanson is controlling from the bottom.
Nicolino wants to control from the top but Swanson keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Swanson trying to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nicolino throws a left and a right that both miss
and Swanson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nicolino misses with a double jab

and Swanson counters by moving into the clinch.
Nicolino is trying to force a seperation but Swanson has the dominant position.
Nicolino tries to break free but Swanson pushes him back against the cage.

Swanson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Nicolino uses from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicolino missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Swanson working a defensive guard here.

Nicolino stands up and waves to Swanson to follow him.
Swanson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nicolino misses with a wild combination.
Swanson throws a big counter combination but Nicolino scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nicolino looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Swanson lands a high kick!
Nicolino misses with a combination
and Swanson counters with a left and a right that stings Nicolino.
Nicolino looks winded!
Nicolino looks to land a combination but Swanson avoids it well.
As Nicolino backs away, Swanson returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swanson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nicolino.
Nicolino looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Swanson is looking to counter the offense by Nicolino and move into the clinch.
Nicolino rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Swanson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nicolino throws a head kick that misses
and Swanson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Swanson scores with a hook to the body. Nicolino takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Swanson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nicolino is looking to get back to is feet but Swanson passes into side control.

Swanson decides to stand back up.
Nicolino swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Swanson counters with a straight right hand.

Swanson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
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 Darryl Swanson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Darryl Swanson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Swanson moves into the clinch.
Swanson looking for a takedown.
Swanson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nicolino's efforts to push away.
Nicolino wants to get back to striking at distance but Swanson won't allow it.
Swanson has Nicolino pressed against the cage, preventing Nicolino from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Swanson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Swanson avoids the body shot from Nicolino.
Nicolino throws a left and a right that both miss
and Swanson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicolino lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Swanson circles away quickly and effectively.
Nicolino misses with a combination
and Swanson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A shot to the liver by Nicolino. Beautiful body shot.
Nicolino is breathing heavily.
Nicolino misses with a combination
and Swanson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicolino looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Swanson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nicolino misses with a left hand
and Swanson counters with a three punch combo that has Nicolino backing up. Nicolino nods at Swanson to acknowledge the strikes.
Swanson stuffs the takedown.
Nicolino tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Swanson swivels and escapes.
It looked like Swanson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Swanson connects with a body shot that sends Nicolino's belly button to the back.
A head kick by Nicolino misses
and Swanson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nolan Nicolino seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Swanson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Swanson cracks Nicolino with a nice body shot.
Swanson is looking for a takedown.
Nicolino is trying to break free.
Swanson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darryl Swanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Swanson drags the fight down to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Swanson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nicolino controls the pace.
Nicolino must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Swanson has a closed guard, preventing Nicolino from standing up.
Nicolino scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nicolino wants to get up but he can't break Swanson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Nicolino got a little sloppy there for a moment and Swanson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nicolino has managed to get both his arms back between Swanson's legs - danger averted.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicolino is looking to stand up but Swanson won't let him.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nicolino throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Swanson counters with a low kick, right behind Nicolino 's knee.
Nicolino throws a right and a left that Swanson avoids nicely.
Swanson feinted with a counter takedown.
Darryl Swanson is winning the standup battle so far.
Nicolino swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Swanson counters with a three punch combo that has Nicolino backing up. Nicolino nods at Swanson to acknowledge the strikes.
Nicolino swings widly with a right hand
and Swanson counters with a two punch combo.
Swanson dodges the punch combination from Nicolino.
As Nicolino looks to move away, Swanson throws a big counter combo but Nicolino just gets out of the way.

Swanson has Nicolino up against the cage in a clinch.

Swanson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Nicolino uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swanson wants to sweep here but Nicolino controlling him for the moment.
Swanson is working hard here to advance position.
Swanson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nicolino pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Swanson is keeping the position for now.
Swanson is looking to sweep but instead, Nicolino has passed into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darryl Swanson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Darryl Swanson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nicolino falls off balance throwing a combination
and Swanson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nicolino misses with a wild combination.
As Nicolino looks to move away, Swanson throws a big counter combo but Nicolino just gets out of the way.
Nicolino misses with a series of wild punches.
Nicolino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Swanson.
Nicolino misses with a combination
and Swanson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicolino throws a right hand that misses
and Swanson counters with a series of strikes. Nicolino will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nicolino throws an off balance right hand
and Nicolino takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Swanson is looking to wear down Nicolino with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Nicolino takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nicolino lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Swanson circles away quickly and effectively.
As Nicolino looks to move away, Swanson throws a big counter combo but Nicolino just gets out of the way.
Nicolino shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Swanson defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Swanson closes the distance and clinches.
Swanson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nicolino can do to turn this around?
Swanson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nicolino is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Swanson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nicolino is trying to break the clinch but Swanson is controlling him.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Swanson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Nicolino is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nicolino wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Swanson has him pressed against the cage.
Nicolino tries to break the clinch but Swanson is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Swanson fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darryl Swanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Swanson gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Swanson decides to return to a standing position.
Nicolino tries for a takedown but Swanson circles away easily
and Swanson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nicolino swinging wildly here.
It looked like Swanson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nicolino misses with a lunging right hand
letting Swanson counter with a right hand.

Swanson takes the fight into the clinch.

Swanson manages to pull guard.
Nicolino postures up in Swanson's guard and throws a big left but Swanson blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nicolino gets to his feet. Swanson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Swanson blocks a jab.
Swanson throws a big counter combination but Nicolino scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nicolino shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Swanson defends it nicely.
Nicolino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Swanson.
Nicolino misses with a kick to the body.
It looked like Swanson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nicolino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Swanson.

Swanson closes the distance and clinches.
Nicolino wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Swanson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Nicolino can't fight it off and eventually Swanson manages to take the fight to the floor. Nicolino looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Swanson stands and steps away. Nicolino gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Swanson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Swanson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nicolino was covering up waiting for the punch and Swanson finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Nicolino uses the cage to get back to his feet.
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!
Nicolino misses with a two punch combination.
Nolan Nicolino has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nicolino throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Swanson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nicolino sprawls and moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Swanson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darryl Swanson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Swanson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darryl Swanson!