PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roy Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Reynolds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reynolds has chosen Lights Out - Bobby Light as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Nelson
vs
Reynolds

183 cm
22
264 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

197 cm
20
229 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Malicious Intent Fight Gear
FUEL

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roy Nelson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Niko Reynolds!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nelson shoots in for a takedown but Reynolds shows good takedown defense.
Reynolds avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nelson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Reynolds swivels and escapes.
Nice sprawl there from Reynolds as Nelson shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roy Nelson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nelson looks for a takedown but Reynolds sprawls well.
Reynolds lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Roy Nelson has been cut.
Reynolds stuffs the takedown.

Reynolds decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reynolds sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Reynolds wants to pass to mount but Nelson is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson is trying to stand back up but Reynolds is controlling him
Nelson is breathing heavily.
Reynolds perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nelson is trying to stand.
Reynolds is taking a breather. Nelson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Reynolds takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Reynolds controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nelson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Despite being in the dominant position, Niko Reynolds just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Reynolds has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Reynolds wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Reynolds wants the takedown. Nelson is fighting it off but Reynolds persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Nelson's guard against the cage.
Reynolds pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nelson is keeping the position for now.
Reynolds looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Let's hope that Reynolds has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nelson is keeping the position for now.
Reynolds controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Reynolds's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Reynolds dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roy Nelson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Reynolds throws a series of punches but Nelson avoids them all with ease.
Some wild striking there from Reynolds.
Roy Nelson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reynolds lands with an uppercut that bounces Nelson off the cage and back into rage.
Reynolds moves in looking to clinch but Nelson pushes him off.
Nelson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Reynolds counters by clinching up.
Nelson fails to pull guard.

Reynolds gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Reynolds wants to free his trapped foot but Nelson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Reynolds with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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.

Despite being in the dominant position, Niko Reynolds just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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

Reynolds breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nelson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Reynolds throws a nice looking combination but Nelson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nelson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Reynolds.

Reynolds moves into range and clinches up with Nelson.
Reynolds wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Reynolds pulls guard effortlessly.
Reynolds is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Nelson!
Reynolds controlling his opponent.
Reynolds lands a heavy elbow.

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.
Reynolds pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Reynolds controlling his opponent.
Reynolds has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reynolds lands with some strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Reynolds showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Roy Nelson's cut.
That's time! Nelson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Reynolds has Nelson up against the cage in a clinch.
Nelson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Reynolds gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Reynolds gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Nelson regains guard.
Reynolds pushes down on Nelson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Reynolds is taking a breather. Nelson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Reynolds takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reynolds looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Despite being in the dominant position, Niko Reynolds just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nelson wants to clinch but Reynolds slips to the side
letting Reynolds counter with a right hand.
A combination from Reynolds does no damage.
Niko Reynolds seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nelson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Nelson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Reynolds is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reynolds rushes Nelson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Reynolds wants to get back to striking at distance but Nelson won't allow it.
Nelson wants to break free but Reynolds has control.
Reynolds wants to break free but Nelson has control.
Reynolds lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nelson backwards.
Nelson looking to stall.
Reynolds wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nelson has him pressed against the cage.
Nelson prevents Reynolds from breaking the clinch.
Reynolds wants to break the clinch but can't.
Reynolds wants to get back to striking at distance but Nelson won't allow it.

Reynolds manages to break the clinch.
Nelson shoots and misses
and Reynolds counters with a straight right hand.
Reynolds moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nice combo by Reynolds! Oh, that's hurt him - Nelson falls to the canvas and Reynolds follows him into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reynolds is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Nelson will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Niko Reynolds is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niko Reynolds comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Reynolds 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 24:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 24:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niko Reynolds!