PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Volya Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Temel Dilli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Nikolaev might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Fever . Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Nikolaev
vs
Dilli

170 cm
34
165 lbs
29 - 22 - 0

176 cm
35
155 lbs
31 - 19 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Hellbent

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 29 - 22 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Volya Nikolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Temel Dilli!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Chris Edwards and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dilli misses with a hook.
Nikolaev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nikolaev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Dilli needs to keep his hands up - Nikolaev had a free shot at his head there.
Nikolaev slips a straight right by Dilli.
Nikolaev is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nikolaev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nikolaev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Dilli scores with a jab.
Dilli has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
A punch combination from Nikolaev misses.
Dilli fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Temel Dilli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikolaev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Dilli avoids it really well and circles away.
Dilli is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Nice defenses there by Nikolaev.
Dilli is looking to score with low kicks.
An attempted straight right counter from Nikolaev misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dilli throws a poor cross that misses
and Nikolaev counters with a stiff right hand.
Dilli connects with a right hand. Nikolaev shakes it off.
Dilli connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Dilli throws a hook but Nikolaev blocks it.
Nikolaev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dilli is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Dilli throws an off balance right hand

and Nikolaev counters with a single leg into guard. Dilli didn't expect that.

Dilli pushes Nikolaev off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikolaev shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Dilli eats them both and turns towards Nikolaev to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Dilli scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Dilli pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dilli misses with an uppercut. Nikolaev saw that one coming.
Nikolaev lands with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dilli throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nikolaev feinted with a counter takedown.
Nikolaev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dilli manages to avoid it.
Nikolaev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dilli feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Nikolaevs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Nikolaev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nikolaev is thwarting Dilli's attempts to control the position.
Nikolaev trying to control the action but Dilli is working from the bottom.
Nikolaev throwing shots but Dilli is blocking nicely.
Dilli moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dilli keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.
Nikolaev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nikolaev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Dilli's head.
Nikolaev distracts Dilli with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Dilli has his foot on Nikolaev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nikolaev works his way back into a safe position though.
Dilli preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Dilli had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nikolaev defends it easily.
Nikolaev is working Dilli over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dilli pulls Nikolaev in close to prevent any damage.
Dilli keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.
Nikolaev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nikolaev won't allow Dilli to sweep him here.
Nikolaev postures up and lands a big shot to Dilli's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikolaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dilli preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dilli trying to control the position.
Dilli can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nikolaev controls the pace.
Dilli controlling the position.
Nikolaev postures up in Dilli's guard and throws a big left but Dilli blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Temel Dilli will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Dilli throws a body shot but no joy.
Dilli throws a combination that misses
letting Nikolaev counter with a right hand.
Dilli bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nikolaev's head.
Nikolaev shoots in but no luck this time.
Nikolaev tries to move into range but Dilli moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dilli connects with a high kick.
Dilli thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Nikolaev if he has to take too many more of those.
Nikolaev defending well as Dilli loads up on a big left hand.
Jab from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nikolaev misses with a looping right.
Nikolaev throws a looping overhand right but Dilli ducks down to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikolaev looks for a takedown but Dilli sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dilli looks to score with a jab to the body but Nikolaev is just out of range.
The fighters circling - Nikolaev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dilli throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dilli throws a lazy right hand but Nikolaev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dilli throws a jab but it's blocked by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev drops his hands momentarily and Dilli takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Dilli scores with a hook to the body. Nikolaev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nice straight punches there by Dilli. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Dilli.
Nikolaev slips a jab from Dilli.
Nikolaev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dilli lands a head shot.
Dilli misses the shot to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Nikolaev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Dilli fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nikolaev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Dilli scoring well with a low kick there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dilli misses with a body punch
and Nikolaev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dilli with a nice cross.
Nikolaev lands the left hand.
Dilli wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nikolaev looks to score with a jab to the body but Dilli is just out of range.
Dilli throws a body punch but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Dilli scoring well with a low kick there.
Nikolaev throws a looping overhand right but Dilli ducks down to avoid it.
Dilli cracks the inside of Nikolaev's front leg.
Jab from Nikolaev.
Dilli has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nikolaev with a hook.
Temel Dilli seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dilli tests Nikolaev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nikolaev fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dilli ducks under a wild hook from Nikolaev.
Dilli misses with an uppercut.
A shot to the body from Dilli misses
and Dilli takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Dilli misses the body punch

and Nikolaev moves into the clinch.
Dilli misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nikolaev fails to pull guard.
Nikolaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Dilli is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nikolaev blocks an uppercut.
Nikolaev pushes Dilli back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Dilli on the inside.
Dilli swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nikolaev lands a shoulder strike.
Nikolaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Dilli uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nikolaev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dilli gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dilli is trying to force a seperation but Nikolaev has the dominant position.
Nikolaev wants to stall.
Nikolaev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dilli backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikolaev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dilli is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nikolaev stalling the fight.
Nikolaev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dilli smiles and moves away.
Temel Dilli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dilli throws a nice inside leg kick.
Dilli misses with a straight right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Temel Dilli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Good work by Nikolaev as he checks the leg kick.
Dilli throws a looping overhand right but Nikolaev ducks down to avoid it.
Dilli lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nikolaev lands a slapping body shot.
Nikolaev is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Dilli misses the target.
A big right from Dilli misses.
Nikolaev shoots in looking for a takedown but Dilli manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nikolaev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nikolaev takes a kick to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Dilli.
Nikolaev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nikolaev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nikolaev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dilli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dilli misses with a right hand

and Nikolaev counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Dilli!
Nikolaev tries to move to full mount but Dilli actually manages to regain half guard.
Dilli tries to roll over but Nikolaev keeps him under control.

Dilli actively working from the bottom here.
Nikolaev is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nikolaev wants to pass to mount but Dilli is defending the position.
Dilli is trying to control but can't.
Dilli is controlling Nikolaev's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Temel Dilli is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Dilli manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Nikolaev keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Nikolaev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dilli fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dilli throws out a leg kick but Nikolaev moves out of range and Dilli only half commits.
Nice shot lands for Dilli.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sloppy strikes from Dilli. Those never looked like landing.
A low kick from Dilli misses

and Nikolaev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Nikolaev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dilli pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nikolaev moves out of range of the body kick.
Nikolaev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dilli only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dilli slips a jab and a cross from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dilli looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Dilli slaps away a takedown attempt from Nikolaev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dilli fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Dilli looks to score with a jab to the body but Nikolaev is just out of range.
Nikolaev misses with a jab to the body
and Dilli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dilli throws a big shot that misses.
Nikolaev feinted with a counter takedown.

Nikolaev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Dilli trying to control from the bottom.
Dilli is looking to improve his position.

Dilli is defending against the submission attempts here by Nikolaev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev is trying to control. Dilli wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Volya Nikolaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dilli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nikolaev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Dilli has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nikolaev is working away from the top position though.
Dilli is looking to improve his position.
Nikolaev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dilli holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Temel Dilli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Dilli winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Temel Dilli!
A very excited looking Temel Dilli made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.