PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harold Nicolas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Austin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nicolas
vs
Austin

187 cm
20
219 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

189 cm
21
220 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

MayheM sportswear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Harold Nicolas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shane Austin!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Sergei Dronov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Austin slips under a jab.
Nicolas misses with an uppercut. Austin saw that one coming.
Nicolas looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Jab from Austin.
Nicolas pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nicolas connects with a good right hand that stumbles Austin. Austin circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Austin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nicolas moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nicolas. Austin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Austin throws a shot from downtown. Nicolas moves away and avoids it.
Nicolas on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nicolas throws a combination that misses
and Austin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Austin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Austin looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice defenses there by Nicolas.
Nicolas lands a body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Austin there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Austin misses with a straight right.
Nicolas was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nicolas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Austin.
Austin has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Nicolas fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Austin on the side of the head.
Nicolas takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nicolas ducks under a wild hook from Austin.
Nicolas misses with a left hand
and Austin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nicolas with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Austin to score with a decent uppercut.
Good shot there by Nicolas.
Nicolas takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nicolas throws an overhand right that lands on Austin's shoulder, as Austin tries to avoid the shot.
Austin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A looping hook to the body misses from Austin. Nicolas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Austin throws a poor cross that misses
and Nicolas cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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!
Austin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Austin misses.
Nicolas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slow jab from Nicolas misses its intended target.
Nicolas slips a jab from Austin.
Nicolas lands an overhand right.
Nicolas scores with a jab.
Nicolas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Austin.
Nicolas appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Austin throws an overhand right that lands on Nicolas's shoulder, as Nicolas tries to avoid the shot.
Nicolas cracks a nice hook into Austin's ribs.
Austin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nicolas slips under a jab.
Nicolas bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Austin misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Austin looks to throw the jab but Nicolas is out of range.
Nicolas throws a big counter combination but Austin scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Austin looks to throw the jab but Nicolas is out of range.
Nicolas throwing a counter right hand but Austin manages to avoid it.
Nicolas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Austin.
Nicolas scores with a nice strike.
Nicolas is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Austin misses with a hook. Nicolas ducked under it nicely.
Nicolas takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nicolas throws a poor cross that misses
and Austin counters with a stiff right hand.
Austin tries to clinch there but Nicolas circles away.
Nicolas connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Austin's hands.
Nicolas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Austin steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Nicolas.
Nicolas misses with a hook
and Austin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Austin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Austin moves into the clinch.
Austin lands a shot to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Austin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nicolas avoids a wild elbow strike from Austin.
Austin lands a shoulder strike.
Austin can't find room to land a body shot as Nicolas controls the action.
Austin misses with a body punch.
Austin misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Austin.
Austin can't find room to land a body shot as Nicolas controls the action.
Austin's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Austin keeps control of Nicolas as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Austin lands an elbow that stopped Nicolas in his tracks for a moment.

Nicolas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Austin dominated that 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.

Austin looks to score with a jab to the body but Nicolas is just out of range.
A swing and a miss from Austin.
Austin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice defenses there by Austin.
Nicolas connects with a looping right hand.
Nicolas misses with a hook.
Austin throws the left hand but Nicolas avoids the punch easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Austin, as that shot connected.
Nicolas misses with an uppercut.
Good standup being displayed there by Austin as he connects with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd cheers as Nicolas lands an impressive looking overhand right. Austin doesn't seem phased though.

It looks like Shane Austin has been cut.
Nicolas lands a jab to the nose.
Nicolas staying out of range there.
Nicolas swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nicolas throws a right and a left that Austin avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Austin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Austin's corner calls for a 1-2. Austin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Austin misses the jab.
Nicolas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Austin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Austin! But no joy.
Nicolas throws a lazy uppercut
and Austin counters with a straight right hand.
Nicolas misses with a straight left.
Nicolas misses with a looping right.
Austin let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Nicolas takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Austin misses with an uppercut. Nicolas saw that one coming.
A counter left hand to the body from Nicolas misses its target.
Nice body punch from Austin.
A telegraphed right hand from Nicolas misses the target.
Austin takes a swing at Nicolas's ribcage but misses.
Nicolas moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Austin misses with a body shot.
Nicolas swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Austin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Austin moves into range and clinches up with Nicolas.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Austin lands a nice uppercut.
Nicolas prevents a body shot from Austin.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Austin in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Nicolas tries to work over Austin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nicolas is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Nicolas breaks from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Austin.
Shane Austin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nicolas misses with an uppercut. Austin saw that one coming.
Nicolas ducks under a wild hook from Austin.
Nicolas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Austin moves away.
Nicolas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Austin moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicolas misses with a hook
and Austin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nicolas misses with an uppercut. Austin saw that one coming.
Nicolas misses with a straight right.
Austin looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Austin throws a body punch but Nicolas moves out of range.
Austin throws a hook but Nicolas avoids it easily.
Nicolas was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Austin cracks Nicolas with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Austin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nicolas throws out the jab.
Austin is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Nicolas with a body shot.
Nicolas lands a really nice looking cross but Austin seems unphased.
Austin moves away from the strike by Nicolas.
Nicolas moves out of range of the strikes.
Austin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nicolas.
Nicolas dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Austin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nicolas was well out of range. Poor timing from Austin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicolas slips under a jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Nicolas misses the target.
Austin misses with a wild body shot.
Austin throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nicolas counters with a nice uppercut.
Austin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nicolas. Nicolas circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Austin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nicolas.
Austin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Austin misses with a hook. Nicolas ducked under it nicely.
Nicolas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Austin moves away.
Austin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nicolas was well out of range. Poor timing from Austin.
Austin moves to clinch but Nicolas breaks away
and Nicolas counters with a one-two to the body.
Austin is looking to clinch but Nicolas is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A big left from Austin misses.
Austin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nicolas misses with a lunging right hand

and Austin holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A body shot lands from Nicolas.
Nicolas is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Nicolas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nicolas throws out a loose jab but Austin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Austin gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nicolas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Austin moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Austin uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nicolas throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Austin tests Nicolas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nicolas jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Austin throws the left hand but Nicolas avoids the punch easily.
Nicolas takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Austin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Austin lands with a shot to the body.
Nicolas throws a shot from downtown. Austin moves away and avoids it.
Austin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nicolas doesn't seem bothered though.
Nicolas looks to throw the jab but Austin is out of range.
Austin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nicolas moves away.
Austin misses with a wild body shot.
Nicolas swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Austin misses with a body shot.
Austin misses with a hook. Nicolas ducked under it nicely.
Nicolas throws a shot from downtown. Austin moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicolas misses with a hook. Austin ducked under it nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Austin! But no joy.
Nicolas lands with a nice body punch.
Austin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nicolas.
Nicolas throwing a counter right hand but Austin manages to avoid it.
Nicolas throws a lazy right hand but Austin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Austin! But no joy.
Nicolas throws a body punch but Austin moves out of range.
Jab by Nicolas.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Austin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nicolas.
Nicolas scores with a nice right hand.
Nicolas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Austin.
Austin jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Shane Austin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

It looks like Harold Nicolas has been cut.
Nicolas throws a poor cross that misses
and Austin counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicolas gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Austin.
Nicolas rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Austin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nicolas throws a series of punches but Austin avoids them all with ease.
Austin misses the jab.
Nicolas missing with a left hand there. Austin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Austin defending well as Nicolas loads up on a big left hand.
Nicolas moves out of range as Austin strikes.
Decent striking displayed by Austin there.
A jab from Austin misses.
Austin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nicolas ducks under a wild hook from Austin.
Nicolas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicolas takes a swing at Austin's ribcage but misses.
Austin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Austin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Austin throws a body punch but Nicolas moves out of range.
Nicolas throws a looping overhand right but Austin ducks down to avoid it.
Austin let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big right from Nicolas misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Austin! But no joy.
Austin throws a right hand that misses
and Austin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nicolas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Austin scores with a jab to the body.
Austin staying out of range there.
Nicolas avoids the body shot from Austin.
Harold Nicolas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Austin throws a body shot but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane Austin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Austin 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane Austin!
Shane Austin decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.