PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bernard McGinn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladlen Nikolaevich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGinn's entrance music is March of Cambreadth . A fine choice. Bernard McGinn has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

McGinn
vs
Nikolaevich

178 cm
20
163 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

173 cm
21
157 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bernard McGinn!
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, Vladlen Nikolaevich!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Nikolaevich or perhaps it was just good defense by McGinn, which made it look bad.
Some bone on bone action there as McGinn checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

McGinn has Nikolaevich up against the ropes in a clinch.
McGinn gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nikolaevich blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Nikolaevich ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Nikolaevich no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

McGinn gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nikolaevich has managed to clinch.
McGinn looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Nikolaevich escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaevich changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McGinn tries to avoid it but Nikolaevich manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McGinn to the ground. McGinn escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nikolaevich lands with an uppercut that bounces McGinn off the ropes and back into range.

McGinn has closed the distance and engaged Nikolaevich in a clinch.
Nikolaevich tries to pull guard but McGinn holds him up against the ropes and eventually Nikolaevich drops back down to his feet.
Bernard McGinn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladlen Nikolaevich.
McGinn keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nikolaevich's efforts to push away.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nikolaevich.

McGinn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGinn will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nikolaevich misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McGinn rushes Nikolaevich and presses him up against the ropes.
McGinn prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nikolaevich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nikolaevich looking for a takedown.
McGinn lands an elbow that stopped Nikolaevich in his tracks for a moment.
Nikolaevich fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Nikolaevich works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGinn is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaevich trying to control the position from guard on top but McGinn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGinn keeping full guard, as Nikolaevich tries to pass.
Nikolaevich sitting in guard here, content to control.

McGinn wriggles free and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGinn looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nikolaevich replies with a solid counter kick to the body but McGinn blocks it well.
Bernard McGinn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGinn falls off balance throwing a combination

and Nikolaevich decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McGinn's guard.
Nikolaevich trying to control but McGinn is working from the bottom.

McGinn manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the ropes.
Nikolaevich looks winded!
Nikolaevich misses with a body punch.
Nikolaevich can't break the clinch.
Nikolaevich changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McGinn fights it off and pushes away nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bernard McGinn dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McGinn swinging wildly here.
Nikolaevich tries to clinch there but McGinn circles away.
McGinn sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
McGinn lands the left hand.

Nikolaevich tries to keep at a distance but McGinn has taken the fight into the clinch.

McGinn is working on a single leg takedown against the ropes. Nikolaevich can't fight it off and eventually McGinn manages to take the fight to the floor. Nikolaevich looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Nikolaevich is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McGinn is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikolaevich trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaevich 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.

Nikolaevich is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McGinn is aware though and is defending well.

McGinn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nikolaevich has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McGinn has managed to get both his arms back between Nikolaevich's legs - danger averted.
Nikolaevich manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McGinn manages to get himself to full guard.

McGinn is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nikolaevich is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaevich trying to control the position from guard on top but McGinn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGinn wants to stand up but Nikolaevich is controlling him.
McGinn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nikolaevich can do to turn this around?

The fighters are working up against the ropes. McGinn manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the ropes.
Nikolaevich creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
McGinn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

McGinn's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaevich shoots in looking for a takedown but McGinn manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nikolaevich's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

McGinn gets a double leg takedown into Nikolaevich's guard.
Nikolaevich is breathing heavily.
Nikolaevich wants to stand up but McGinn is controlling him.
Nikolaevich is pulling down on McGinn's head to control his posture.
McGinn knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nikolaevich on the ground.
McGinn working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaevich looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Nikolaevich looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
McGinn is looking to stand up but Nikolaevich won't let him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

McGinn clinches up with Nikolaevich and pushes him back against the ropes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stalling in the clinch from McGinn.
McGinn prevents the takedown attempt.
McGinn has a couple of punches blocked by Nikolaevich.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bernard McGinn dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

McGinn throws a right and a left that Nikolaevich avoids nicely.
McGinn tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Nikolaevich manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nikolaevich defending well as McGinn loads up on a big left hand.
Nikolaevich goes for a double leg but McGinn avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as McGinn continues to drive forward.

McGinn clinches up with Nikolaevich and pushes him back against the ropes.

Nikolaevich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McGinn misses with a two punch combination.
Bernard McGinn is winning the standup battle so far.
Nikolaevich avoids the head kick by McGinn.
Nikolaevich avoids the body shot from McGinn.
Nikolaevich is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikolaevich looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McGinn is fending him off so far but Nikolaevich persists. Nope, McGinn circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikolaevich tries for a takedown but McGinn sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bernard McGinn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladlen Nikolaevich.

Nikolaevich closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Nikolaevich takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nikolaevich prevents McGinn from escaping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGinn gets back to half guard.
Nikolaevich wants to pass to mount but McGinn is defending the position.
McGinn tries to kick Nikolaevich off but Nikolaevich keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nikolaevich in particular looking to stall.
Nikolaevich missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nikolaevich content to control rather than advance.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
McGinn stuffs the takedown.

Nikolaevich gets caught flat footed, as McGinn shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
McGinn prevents Nikolaevich from getting back to his feet.
McGinn preventing the sweep.
Nikolaevich keeping moving, preventing McGinn from controlling successfully.

McGinn gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

McGinn rushes Nikolaevich and presses him up against the ropes.
Nikolaevich is looking to control McGinn's arms but McGinn gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nikolaevich has his back to the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaevich stops a takedown attempt from McGinn.
Nikolaevich is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McGinn is defending well for now.
Nikolaevich tries for a takedown but McGinn manages to get underhooks.

McGinn breaks the clinch.
No luck for McGinn with that takedown attempt.
McGinn moves in looking to clinch but Nikolaevich pushes him off.
Bernard McGinn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McGinn lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nikolaevich circles away quickly and effectively.
Nikolaevich doesn't manage to clinch there - McGinn circles away.
Nikolaevich tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGinn swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGinn misses with a double jab.
Nikolaevich with the counter takedown but McGinn avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from McGinn both land. Nice combination.
McGinn misses with a few strikes there.
McGinn tries to clinch but Nikolaevich is having none of it.
Bernard McGinn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Nikolaevich shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nikolaevich trying to control but McGinn is working from the bottom.

Nikolaevich gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGinn circles away from the clinch attempt.
McGinn tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Nikolaevich paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vladlen Nikolaevich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McGinn swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bernard McGinn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McGinn 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bernard McGinn!
An out of breath Bernard McGinn thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.