PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike McLaughlin (ranked 677 p4p, 79 weight class) and Giovanni Nicodemo (ranked 1954 p4p, 201 weight class). Giovanni Nicodemo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McLaughlin
vs
Nicodemo

178 cm
30
148 lbs
18 - 8 - 2

170 cm
34
155 lbs
14 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 18 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mike McLaughlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Giovanni Nicodemo!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Phil Schofield and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nicodemo throws a body punch but McLaughlin moves out of range.
Nicodemo misses with the combination.
Nicodemo 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.
Nicodemo shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
McLaughlin shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
McLaughlin throws a hook to the side of Nicodemo's head but Nicodemo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nicodemo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nicodemo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nicodemo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McLaughlin scores with a body shot.
McLaughlin scores with a jab to the jaw.
McLaughlin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin throws an overhand right that lands on Nicodemo's shoulder, as Nicodemo tries to avoid the shot.
Nicodemo let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
McLaughlin checks a leg kick nicely.
Nicodemo is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down McLaughlin rather than just go for the knockout.
Nicodemo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McLaughlin.
Nicodemo swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nicodemo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters circle momentarily. McLaughlin darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
McLaughlin ducks under a wild hook from Nicodemo.
McLaughlin feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Nicodemo's calf.
McLaughlin throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nicodemo on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaughlin throws a leg kick which misses Nicodemo's front leg but catches the back leg as Nicodemo tries to avoid it.
Nicodemo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McLaughlin connects with a leg kick. Nicodemo looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nicodemo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
McLaughlin misses with a hook. Nicodemo ducked under it nicely.
Nicodemo just misses with a punch to the body.
McLaughlin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A nice side step and Nicodemo releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
McLaughlin throws a poor cross that misses
and Nicodemo counters with a nice body shot.
A lazy left from Nicodemo finds it's target.
McLaughlin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McLaughlin misses the body punch
and Nicodemo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps McLaughlin thinking.
A slow jab from Nicodemo misses its intended target.
Nicodemo misses with a kick to the body.
Nicodemo misses with a straight left.
Nicodemo walks into a left hand.
McLaughlin lands a slapping body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good work by Nicodemo as he checks the leg kick.
McLaughlin scores with a shot to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nicodemo.
McLaughlin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nicodemo.
It looked like McLaughlin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mike McLaughlin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin misses with a low kick.
McLaughlin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nicodemo moves away.
McLaughlin swings away with a leg kick that misses.
McLaughlin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A big left from Nicodemo misses.
Nicodemo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McLaughlin.
A leg kick checked by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo misses the jab.
Nicodemo takes a swing at McLaughlin's ribcage but misses.
McLaughlin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McLaughlin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nicodemo cracks a nice hook into McLaughlin's ribs.
Nicodemo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nicodemo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Nicodemo misses.
McLaughlin just misses with a punch to the body.
Nicodemo blocks a jab.
Nicodemo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
McLaughlin slips a straight right by Nicodemo.
McLaughlin thuds his right hand into Nicodemo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nicodemo throws a hook but McLaughlin blocks it.
Nicodemo scores with a shot to the body.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
McLaughlin misses with an uppercut. Nicodemo saw that one coming.
McLaughlin looks to score with a jab to the body but Nicodemo is just out of range.
McLaughlin looks to land a left hand but Nicodemo moved out of range nicely.
Nicodemo on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
McLaughlin throws a leg kick but Nicodemo moved away.
Nicodemo connects with a solid leg kick.
McLaughlin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McLaughlin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nicodemo moves away.
Nicodemo tries to counter with a clinch but McLaughlin shakes him off and moves away.
McLaughlin defending well as Nicodemo loads up on a big left hand.
McLaughlin misses with a leg kick.
Nicodemo looks to land a body kick but McLaughlin moved away.
Nicodemo swings for the body but McLaughlin moves out of range.
McLaughlin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
McLaughlin misses with a straight left.
Nicodemo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin lands a nice shot to the body.
Nicodemo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McLaughlin misses the shot to the body.
It seemed like Nicodemo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McLaughlin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
McLaughlin just misses with a punch to the body.
McLaughlin scores with a jab. Nicodemo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nicodemo takes a swing at McLaughlin's ribcage but misses.
Nicodemo scores with a jab to the head.
A swing and a miss from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nicodemo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McLaughlin.
Nicodemo swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nicodemo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nicodemo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
McLaughlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nicodemo was well out of range. Poor timing from McLaughlin.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nicodemo looks to throw the jab but McLaughlin is out of range.
Nicodemo throws an overhand right that lands on McLaughlin's shoulder, as McLaughlin tries to avoid the shot.
McLaughlin fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nicodemo is out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McLaughlin, right into the meat.
Nicodemo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McLaughlin at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mike McLaughlin will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McLaughlin lands with a straight right. Nicodemo didn't see that one coming.
Nicodemo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaughlin manages to avoid it.
Nicodemo on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nicodemo. McLaughlin does a little dance to reset his feet.
McLaughlin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nicodemo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nicodemo looks to land a right hand but McLaughlin moved out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as McLaughlin checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McLaughlin feints and then cracks Nicodemo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nicodemo down.
McLaughlin swings away with a body shot that misses
and Nicodemo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nicodemo lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
McLaughlin throws a hook to the side of Nicodemo's head but Nicodemo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McLaughlin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nicodemo on the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nicodemo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
McLaughlin throws a series of punches but Nicodemo avoids them all with ease.
Nicodemo smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nicodemo throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicodemo throws a body shot but no joy.
McLaughlin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nicodemo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
McLaughlin throws a hook to the side of Nicodemo's head but Nicodemo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McLaughlin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo throws a sloppy head kick and McLaughlin moves out of range easily.
McLaughlin connects with a body shot that sends Nicodemo's belly button to the back.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
McLaughlin misses with a low kick.
McLaughlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McLaughlin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nicodemo.
A punch combination from Nicodemo misses.
Nicodemo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McLaughlin.
Nicodemo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Good exchange - Nicodemo coming out on top.
McLaughlin misses with a body shot.
McLaughlin thuds his right hand into Nicodemo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nicodemo lands a nice leg kick that just misses McLaughlin's sensitive parts.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McLaughlin, right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from McLaughlin does it's job there.
Nicodemo blocks a head kick by McLaughlin.
Good work by Nicodemo as he checks the leg kick.
McLaughlin misses the jab.
The crowd cheers as McLaughlin lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nicodemo doesn't seem phased though.
McLaughlin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nicodemo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Good work by Nicodemo as he checks the leg kick.
McLaughlin motions for Nicodemo to come forward. McLaughlin throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McLaughlin lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nicodemo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McLaughlin.
A quick step to the side and McLaughlin tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nicodemo misses with an uppercut
and McLaughlin counters with a nice low kick that buckles Nicodemo's knee momentarily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nicodemo.
McLaughlin connects with a nice looking jab.
McLaughlin gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Nicodemo counters with a stiff right hand.
A big right from McLaughlin misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Nicodemo misses the target.
McLaughlin fires out a quick counter leg kick but Nicodemo just manages to avoid it.
McLaughlin sizes up Nicodemo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nicodemo misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nicodemo's sensitive parts.
McLaughlin throws a lazy right hand but Nicodemo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Nicodemo misses the target.
Mike McLaughlin is winning the standup battle so far.
Nicodemo throws a big shot that misses.
Nicodemo swings for the body but McLaughlin moves out of range.
McLaughlin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nicodemo's sensitive parts.
McLaughlin throws a poor cross that misses
and Nicodemo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nicodemo moves forwards but McLaughlin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
McLaughlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McLaughlin goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
McLaughlin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nicodemo.
McLaughlin is looking to counter punch.
Nicodemo throws a jab but it's blocked by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
McLaughlin misses with an uppercut.
Nicodemo misses the jab.
Nicodemo takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nicodemo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
McLaughlin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nicodemo can pounce on him.
McLaughlin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nicodemo throws a jab but it's blocked by McLaughlin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McLaughlin on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nicodemo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McLaughlin feints and then cracks Nicodemo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nicodemo down.
McLaughlin misses with a low kick.
Nicodemo tries a quick counter leg kick but McLaughlin is wise to it.
Nicodemo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nicodemo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin avoids the head kick by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo blocks a head kick by McLaughlin.
Nicodemo throws a low kick, looking for McLaughlin's leg but McLaughlin calmly moves out of range.
McLaughlin throws a leg kick which misses Nicodemo's front leg but catches the back leg as Nicodemo tries to avoid it.
Nicodemo cracks the inside of McLaughlin's front leg.
Nicodemo throws a body punch but McLaughlin moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from McLaughlin misses the target.
McLaughlin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nicodemo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin throws a jab but it's blocked by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo avoids the body shot from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin throws a leg kick but Nicodemo sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike McLaughlin dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McLaughlin goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McLaughlin lands a slapping body shot.
Nicodemo misses with a hook. McLaughlin ducked under it nicely.
McLaughlin feints and then cracks Nicodemo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nicodemo down.
Nicodemo missing with a left hand there. McLaughlin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nicodemo lands a nice looking kick to the body. McLaughlin takes a step back to recover.
McLaughlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nicodemo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McLaughlin.
Nicodemo feints and then cracks McLaughlin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McLaughlin down.
Nicodemo punishes McLaughlin's body with a nice straight punch.
McLaughlin wants to land a leg kick but Nicodemo is out of range.
Nicodemo takes a swing at McLaughlin's ribcage but misses.
McLaughlin connects with an inside leg kick.
McLaughlin slips under a jab from Nicodemo.
A little feinted left hand from McLaughlin on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McLaughlin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nicodemo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McLaughlin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nicodemo crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from McLaughlin - the referee stops the clock and Nicodemo gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says McLaughlin. Nicodemo manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nicodemo jabs McLaughlin to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicodemo connects with the punch.
Nicodemo wants to land a leg kick but McLaughlin is out of range.
Nicodemo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaughlin manages to avoid it.
Nicodemo misses with an uppercut.
Nicodemo throws a good cross that connects.
Nicodemo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nicodemo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A telegraphed right hand from Nicodemo misses the target.
Good standup being displayed there by McLaughlin as he connects with a hook.
Nicodemo avoids the head kick by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
McLaughlin walks into a straight right hand from Nicodemo.
McLaughlin pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nicodemo is out of range and McLaughlin settles back down.
McLaughlin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nicodemo.
McLaughlin scores with a jab to the head.
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!
McLaughlin loads up on a big right hand but Nicodemo slips the punch.
A jab lands there for McLaughlin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nicodemo. McLaughlin does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin misses with a low kick.
Nicodemo misses with a hook.
A solid leg kick lands there for McLaughlin.
Nicodemo throws a jab but it's blocked by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin jabs Nicodemo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Giovanni Nicodemo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McLaughlin keeps the fight on the outside.
Nicodemo throws a lazy right hand but McLaughlin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nicodemo misses with a hook to the body
letting McLaughlin counter with a right hand.
McLaughlin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
McLaughlin swings for the body but Nicodemo moves out of range.
Nicodemo takes a swing at McLaughlin's ribcage but misses.
McLaughlin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
McLaughlin throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Nicodemo to counter with a crisp jab.
Nicodemo takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
McLaughlin wants to slow Nicodemo down by chopping away at his legs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McLaughlin.
Jab from McLaughlin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo throws a lazy uppercut
and McLaughlin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nicodemo throws a hook to the side of McLaughlin's head but McLaughlin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nicodemo takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
McLaughlin throws a sloppy head kick
and Nicodemo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
McLaughlin misses with a looping left.
Nicodemo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
McLaughlin throws a hook but Nicodemo blocks it.
McLaughlin scores with the left hand. Nicodemo knows he should have avoided that one.
Nicodemo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McLaughlin throws out the jab.
Nicodemo is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Nicodemo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McLaughlin tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McLaughlin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nicodemo scores with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McLaughlin scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
McLaughlin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nicodemo can do to turn this around?
Nicodemo looks to land a right hand but McLaughlin moved out of range.
McLaughlin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nicodemo at a distance.
Nicodemo lunges at McLaughlin with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McLaughlin's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McLaughlin looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
McLaughlin moves out of range of the strikes.
McLaughlin explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Nicodemo throws a half hearted mid kick.
McLaughlin throws a body punch but Nicodemo moves out of range.
McLaughlin scores with a jab to the jaw.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin walks into a stiff left hand from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin throws a leg kick which misses Nicodemo's front leg but catches the back leg as Nicodemo tries to avoid it.
Nice shot by McLaughlin.
Nicodemo throws a big shot that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nicodemo looks for the body kick but McLaughlin saw that one coming.
Nicodemo jabs McLaughlin right on the nose. McLaughlin blinks but takes it well.
McLaughlin is looking to slow Nicodemo down with leg kicks.
McLaughlin throws a good cross that connects.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike McLaughlin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McLaughlin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike McLaughlin!
After the fight, Mike McLaughlin was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.