PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Troy Savano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vike Nickolson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Savano
vs
Nickolson

174 cm
25
143 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

166 cm
26
140 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Troy Savano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Vike Nickolson!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Daniel Franklin and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savano walks into a jab.
Vike Nickolson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Nickolson clinches up against the cage.
Nickolson pushes Savano back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Nickolson decides to pull guard.
Nickolson is looking to stand up but Savano isn't so interested in that idea.
Savano trying to control but Nickolson is working from the bottom.
Nickolson is controlling Savano's posture.
Savano wants to control from the top but Nickolson keeps moving.
Nickolson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nickolson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Savano doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Savano manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nickolson is looking to stand up but Savano isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savano wants to control from the top but Nickolson keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Savano throws a looping overhand right but Nickolson ducks down to avoid it.
Nickolson throws out a powerful jab.

Nickolson rushes Savano and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Savano breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Nickolson gets a clinch.

Savano pulls Nickolson into guard.
Savano throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Nickolson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
My spies in Young Achievers (All Elite Coach) inform me that Nickolson has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Nickolson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Nickolson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nickolson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savano bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nickolson's guard.

Savano lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nickolson wants to improve his position but instead Savano has moved into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Savano wants to control but Nickolson is keeping him busy.
Nickolson is looking for a sweep. Savano is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nickolson tries to kick Savano off but Savano keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Savano is working for a submission of some sort.
Nickolson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Savano. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Nickolson tries to roll over but Savano keeps him under control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nickolson can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savano wants to control but Nickolson is keeping him busy.
Nickolson wants to get back to full guard.
Savano prevents Nickolson from standing back up.
Nickolson is not content to let Savano control the position.
Nickolson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Savano landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nickolson tries to get to full guard but Savano has control of the leg.
Savano wants to take a breather but Nickolson is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Nickolson tries to roll over but Savano keeps him under control.
Savano not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Savano thows a huge punch but Nickolson dodges it nicely.
Nickolson is controlling Savano's trapped leg to prevent Savano from advancing to side control.
Savano tries to pass the half guard into mount. Nickolson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Nickolson wants to control but Savano is keeping busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nickolson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Savano tries for a takedown but Nickolson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nickolson throws a shot from downtown. Savano moves away and avoids it.

Nickolson has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vike Nickolson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Savano shoots in but no luck this time.

Nickolson has Savano up against the cage in a clinch.

Nickolson drags the fight down to the ground.

Savano is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Nickolson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Nickolson has escaped and now he's on top!

Savano looking for a sweep. Not yet Savano, not yet.

Savano looking for a guillotine here but Nickolson defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickolson is looking to stand up but Savano won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savano trying to strike off his back.

Savano looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Nickolson is defending well. Savano quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Nickolson has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Savano celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Troy Savano!