PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Kueller (ranked 1108 p4p, 51 weight class) and Kenrick Nikil Jr (ranked 1193 p4p, 55 weight class). Nikil Jr has chosen Dark Horse - Andrew Baena as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Kenrick Nikil Jr was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Kueller
vs
Nikil Jr

201 cm
24
265 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

195 cm
25
292 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Hot Spunk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benjamin Kueller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kenrick Nikil Jr!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Roberts and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikil Jr uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kueller.
Nikil Jr shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kueller sprawls well. Kueller wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nikil Jr gets slowly back to his feet.
Nikil Jr shoots for a takedown but Kueller saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Kueller has taken the fight to the clinch.

Kueller breaks from the clinch.
Nikil Jr blocks a head kick by Kueller.
Kueller tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nikil Jr was well out of range. Poor timing from Kueller.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kueller lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nikil Jr's sensitive parts.
Nikil Jr tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kueller sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nikil Jr somewhat.
Benjamin Kueller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenrick Nikil Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nikil Jr is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kueller's half guard.

Kueller manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A lazy body kick from Kueller

and Nikil Jr counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nikil Jr is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikil Jr has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kueller is proving hard to escape from.
Nikil Jr wants to control from the top but Kueller keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nikil Jr drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kueller dives on top into guard.

Kueller trying to control but Nikil Jr is working from the bottom.
We've been hearing good reports from Kueller's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Nikil Jr is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kueller has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Nikil Jr is proving hard to escape from.
Nikil Jr is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kueller wants to control from the top but Nikil Jr keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kueller got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nikil Jr has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kueller has managed to get both his arms back between Nikil Jr's legs - danger averted.

Nikil Jr is looking for a triangle but Kueller pushes his legs off easily.
Kueller wants to get up but he can't break Nikil Jr's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Nikil Jr keeping moving, preventing Kueller from controlling successfully.
Kueller is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nikil Jr throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Nikil Jr escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kueller gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've been informed that Nikil Jr has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikil Jr has a closed guard, preventing Kueller from standing up.

That's four 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.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kueller cracks the inside of Nikil Jr's front leg.
Nikil Jr fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kueller on the side of the head.

Nikil Jr shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kueller is trying to defend but Nikil Jr finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kueller trying to control but Nikil Jr postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kueller is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Nikil Jr is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Kueller manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Nikil Jr keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Kueller dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nikil Jr has a takedown stuffed.
Kueller feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Nikil Jr tries for a takedown but Kueller sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kueller seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kueller dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nikil Jr. That did some damage!
Kueller tries a head kick but it misses.
Nikil Jr lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Nikil Jr shoots in and bounces Kueller off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kueller pulls Nikil Jr in to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikil Jr preventing the sweep.
Kueller controls Nikil Jr momentarily but Nikil Jr frees himself.
Nikil Jr's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nikil Jr is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kueller is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kueller has escaped and now he's on top!

Kueller gets to his feet - Nikil Jr follows without any prompting.
Kueller is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nikil Jr can do to turn this around?
A low kick from Kueller is predictable there

and Nikil Jr counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nikil Jr.
Kueller wants to stand and escape but Nikil Jr is having none of it.
Nikil Jr wants to control from the top but Kueller keeps moving.
Kueller tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nikil Jr stands and throws Kueller's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kueller manages to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikil Jr tries to stand but can't do so whilst Kueller controls his leg.

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

Nikil Jr is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kueller sees it coming and defends easily.
Kueller tries to kick Nikil Jr off but Nikil Jr keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nikil Jr missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nikil Jr seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Let's hope that Nikil Jr has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nikil Jr is working for a submission of some sort.
Kenrick Nikil Jr has got the better of the ground game so far.

Nikil Jr is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kueller sees it coming and defends easily.
Nikil Jr thows a huge punch but Kueller dodges it nicely.

Nikil Jr is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Nikil Jr throws a strike but Kueller avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nikil Jr trying to control but Kueller is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nikil Jr will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Benjamin Kueller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenrick Nikil Jr.
Kueller throws a push kick but Nikil Jr slaps the foot to one side.
Kueller misses with a low kick as Nikil Jr jumps back.
Benjamin Kueller is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nikil Jr takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Kueller clinches up against the cage.
Kueller softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Kueller.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Kueller dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kueller lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nikil Jr circles away quickly and effectively.
Kueller sets himself, and Nikil Jr steps forward looking for the clinch! Kueller avoids it this time.

It looks like Kenrick Nikil Jr has been cut.
Kueller with a hook.
Kueller lands a front kick.
Nikil Jr takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kueller swats away the attempt to clinch by Nikil Jr.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kueller.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kueller scores with a kick to the midsection.
Kueller is looking to slow Nikil Jr down with leg kicks.
Kueller looks for the body kick but Nikil Jr saw that one coming.
Nikil Jr tries a quick counter leg kick but Kueller is wise to it.
Nikil Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kueller throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nikil Jr has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kueller finds it's way round the side to connect with Nikil Jr's head.
Benjamin Kueller is winning the standup battle so far.

Kueller lands a high kick to the side of Nikil Jr's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Kueller dives into guard, looking to finish.

Nikil Jr is rocked!

Nikil Jr is working an open guard so Kueller takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Nikil Jr is still on wobbly legs! Can Kueller finish him?
Kueller weaves into range and cracks Nikil Jr right on the temple with a beautiful overhand right! Nikil Jr goes down! He's out cold! Wow, what a beautiful knockout! Kueller is strutting round the canvas like a movie star as the camera bulbs flash frantically.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Benjamin Kueller!
Our winner, Benjamin Kueller, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
In defeat, Kenrick Nikil Jr stepped up to the mic, saying 'I will return. I will overcome this loss. A true warrior learns from his failures as much as from his successes.'.