PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shelby Nichols (ranked 5425 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aksel Gustaffdottir (ranked 5230 p4p, 0 weight class). Aksel Gustaffdottir is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Nichols
vs
Gustaffdottir

151 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Shelby Nichols!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aksel Gustaffdottir!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustaffdottir pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gustaffdottir moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gustaffdottir throws a shot from downtown. Nichols moves away and avoids it.
Nichols throws a big counter combination but Gustaffdottir scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Gustaffdottir moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gustaffdottir lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gustaffdottir throws a right hand that misses
and Nichols counters with a two punch combo.
Gustaffdottir throws a looping overhand right but Nichols ducks down to avoid it.
Nichols was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Nichols gets a takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nichols perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gustaffdottir manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Nichols slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Nichols trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nichols working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gustaffdottir working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nichols.
Nichols postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nichols controlling from the top position.
Nichols stopping the sweep attempt from Gustaffdottir.

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.
Nichols seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

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

Nichols looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Nichols trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gustaffdottir's guard.
Nichols really is a fat lump.
Nichols sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustaffdottir has a closed guard, preventing Nichols from standing up.
Gustaffdottir looking for a sweep. Not yet Gustaffdottir, not yet.
Gustaffdottir can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nichols controls the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The fighters circling - Gustaffdottir throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A telegraphed right hand from Gustaffdottir misses the target.
We've been informed that Gustaffdottir has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Gustaffdottir is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Nichols shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gustaffdottir pinned against the cage. Gustaffdottir gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gustaffdottir wants to counter the offense by Nichols and move into the clinch position.
Gustaffdottir throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Nichols counters with a left and a right that stings Gustaffdottir.
Nichols blocks a jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nichols fails with the takedown
and Gustaffdottir counters with a stiff right hand.

Nichols throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gustaffdottir was covering up waiting for the punch and Nichols finishes the takedown easily into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shelby Nichols 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.

Gustaffdottir throws a lazy right hand but Nichols sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Aksel Gustaffdottir seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nichols moves out of range as Gustaffdottir strikes.

Nichols closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nichols lands in his opponent's guard.
Nichols wants to stand but Gustaffdottir is controlling his posture from full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nichols sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nichols throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nichols stays in close to Gustaffdottir's body and controls the position.
Nichols throws an elbow that misses. Gustaffdottir uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nichols's guard. Nice move by Gustaffdottir!

Nichols manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gustaffdottir manages to get himself to full guard.

Gustaffdottir tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shelby Nichols overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nichols throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Nichols stands up from Gustaffdottir's guard - Nichols perhaps looking for a knockout.
A jab lands there for Gustaffdottir.

Gustaffdottir gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Nichols to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Nichols would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustaffdottir is trying to control the position but Nichols postures up.
Nichols wants to stand but Gustaffdottir is controlling his posture from full guard.

Nichols stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Gustaffdottir is breathing heavily.
Gustaffdottir throws out a loose jab but Nichols uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gustaffdottir connects with a looping right hand.
Gustaffdottir throws a hook but Nichols avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustaffdottir throws a lazy right hand but Nichols sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Nichols shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Still in half guard, Nichols seems content to control.
Nichols is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gustaffdottir can do to turn this around?
Gustaffdottir is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nichols scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gustaffdottir is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Nichols decides to return to a standing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shelby Nichols dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Gustaffdottir lands an overhand right.

Nichols bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nichols in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Gustaffdottir tries to improve position but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nichols wants to stand but Gustaffdottir is controlling his arm.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.

Nichols stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Gustaffdottir takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nichols gets the takedown into side control.
Nichols working away.
Gustaffdottir is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Nichols is staying active.
Gustaffdottir is being controlled here.

Nichols tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nichols has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustaffdottir sneaks back into half guard.
Nichols lands strikes from half guard.
Nichols throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nichols controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nichols looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nichols throwing shots but Gustaffdottir is blocking nicely.
Nichols is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gustaffdottir might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nichols gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gustaffdottir connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aksel Gustaffdottir is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Gustaffdottir misses.
Gustaffdottir throws a poor cross that misses

and Nichols counters with a shoot takedown. Gustaffdottir fights it but they end up in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nichols controls from within his opponent's guard.
Nichols throws a big right hand that misses.
Nichols seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Aksel Gustaffdottir has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gustaffdottir 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nichols slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shelby Nichols showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nichols, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shelby Nichols!