PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Carol Pratt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikola Nikolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carol Pratt has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Pratt
vs
Nikolov

215 cm
23
178 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Carol Pratt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikola Nikolov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikolov throws a half hearted mid kick.

Nikolov darts in and clinches Pratt up against the cage.
Pratt prevents Nikolov from breaking the clinch.
Pratt tries to pull guard but Nikolov holds him up against the cage and eventually Pratt drops back down to his feet.
Pratt really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Pratt turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Pratt manages to end up in side control.

Nikolov throws Pratt to one side and escapes!

Pratt gets caught flat footed, as Nikolov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pratt trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Pratt can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nikolov controls the pace.
Pratt has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Nikolov has passed into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pratt defending against the ground and pound.
Pratt regains half guard there - taking advantage of Nikolov's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

Nikolov seems to be looking for submissions.
Nikolov prevents Pratt from improving his position.

Nikolov wants to work for an arm triangle but Pratt is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nikolov is thwarting Pratt's attempts to control the position.
Nikolov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pratt keeps working.
Nikolov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nikolov is looking to pass Pratt's guard but actually Pratt recovers to full guard.
Nikolov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolov stopping the sweep attempt from Pratt.
Nikolov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pratt 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Nikolov pushes Pratt up against the cage in a clinch.
Pratt is trying to pull guard but Nikolov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Pratt tries to pull guard but Nikolov holds him up against the cage and eventually Pratt drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carol Pratt. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nikolov gets control of Pratt's arms and successfully pulls guard. Nikolov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Nikolov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Pratt has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Nikolov pulls guard successfully.

Nikolov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nikolov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Pratt uses it to pass to side control.
Nikolov tries to escape but Pratt is in control.
Nikolov tries to improve position but can't.

Pratt is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Nikolov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pratt misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Nikolov regains half guard there - taking advantage of Pratt's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Nikolov dominated that round.
That's time! Pratt's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nikolov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Nikolov trying to control the action but Pratt is working from the bottom.
Nikolov throws an elbow but Pratt slips to the side and avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikolov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Pratt sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Nikolov swings around for an armbar but Pratt sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Nikolov's guard.
Nikola Nikolov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pratt controls from within his opponent's guard.
Pratt trying to control but Nikolov is working from the bottom.
Nikolov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Pratt's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nikolov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pratt is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Pratt content to stall in guard here.

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.
Pratt working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Nikolov looking for subs off his back but Pratt has passed one foot through into half guard.
Nikolov trying to hold on to Pratt's head to control him but Pratt postures up.
Pratt will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nikolov is doing well to control the position and prevent Pratt from advancing to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pratt.
Ground and pound from Pratt.

Pratt is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nikolov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Pratt stops Nikolov from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nikolov throws a combination that misses

and Pratt counters with a shoot takedown. Nikolov fights it but they end up in guard.

Nikolov pushes Pratt off and gets back to his feet.
Pratt shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nikolov sprawls well. Nikolov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pratt gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nikolov clinches with his opponent.
A frustrated look appears on Nikolov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nikolov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nikolov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Nikolov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pratt keeping moving, preventing Nikolov from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nikola Nikolov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nikolov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Pratt tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikolov passes Pratt's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nikolov decides to stand up.

Pratt gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Nikolov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolov trying to control but Pratt is working from the bottom.
Pratt preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nikolov tries to free his leg and advance position but Pratt is retaining full guard.

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

Nikolov moves into range and clinches up with Pratt.
Nikolov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

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.
Nikolov wants to get back to striking at distance but Pratt won't allow it.
Pratt is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Nikolov to keep the fight standing.
Pratt on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pratt tries to pull guard but Nikolov holds him up against the cage and eventually Pratt drops back down to his feet.
Pratt is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nikolov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carol Pratt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pratt fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Pratt is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nikolov is defending well.

Pratt pulls guard effortlessly.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pratt keeping full guard, as Nikolov tries to pass.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Pratt is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolov controls Pratt momentarily but Pratt frees himself.
Nikolov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nikolov wants to control from the top but Pratt keeps moving.
Pratt is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nikolov is looking to advance position but Pratt has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nikolov is trying desperately to improve position.
Pratt in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Pratt wants to finish this one by submission but Nikolov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Pratt.
Nikolov is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pratt landing punches.
Carol Pratt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikola Nikolov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nikolov wants to hold on but Pratt pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nikola Nikolov.
Well Nikolov 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikola Nikolov!