PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Nickels (ranked 1410 p4p, 2312 weight class) and Gorgon Zola (ranked 23 p4p, 99 weight class). Zola has chosen For Heavy Metal we will die! as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nickels
vs
Zola

190 cm
34
245
10 - 8 - 0

193 cm
37
267
12 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Core Combat
Altitude Clothing

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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jimmy Nickels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gorgon Zola!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nickels tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nickels connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nickels throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zola.
Zola raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Nickels thuds a left hand into Zola's body.
A punch lands to the side of Zola 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Zola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zola lands a body shot.
Zola will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zola misses the shot to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nickels.
Nickels pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nickels misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zola lands with a cross.

Nickels has taken the fight to the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Zola pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nickels misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nickels takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickels swinging wildly here.
Zola misses with a wild body shot.
Zola catches Nickels with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Zola 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.
Zola avoids the head kick by Nickels.
Zola stalks Nickels and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nickels's face. Nickels staggers backwards, shaken.
Zola slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Zola misses with a wild body shot.
Nickels takes a jab right on the kisser.
A slow jab from Zola misses its intended target.
Nickels does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A big left from Zola misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zola missing with a left hand there. Nickels was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zola tries to score with a low kick but Nickels moves his leg out of the way.
Zola moves out of range of the body kick from Nickels.
Zola looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickels swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zola misses the jab.

Nickels gets a takedown into half guard.
Nickels controlling the pace.
Zola gets back to full guard.
Zola pulls Nickels in close to prevent any damage.
Zola wants to sweep here but Nickels controlling him for the moment.
Nickels trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nickels is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola keeping moving, preventing Nickels from controlling successfully.
Nickels content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nickels scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zola avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zola manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nickels manages to get himself to full guard.

Zola is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Zola wanted to stand there but Nickels had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickels wants to sweep here but Zola controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nickels can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zola controls the pace.
Nickels looking for a sweep. Not yet Nickels, not yet.
Zola engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gorgon Zola will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zola throws an off balance right hand
and Nickels counters with a right hand to the body.
Zola has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Nickels lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nice uppercut there from Zola.

Nickels moves into range and clinches up with Zola.
Nickels pushes off an throws an elbow but Zola leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Zola throws a head punch that misses.
Nickels blocks an uppercut.
Zola is trying to break free.
Nickels blocking some punches.
Zola swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nickels lands a hook that snaps the head of Zola backwards.
Zola takes an elbow to the temple.
Nickels pushes off an throws an elbow but Zola leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nickels misses with an elbow over the top.
Zola is trying to maintain a safe position but Nickels gets an underhook and turns Zola into the cage.
Zola scores with a nice hook to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zola gets underhooks to prevent Nickels's takedown attempt.
Zola will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Nickels up against the cage.
Nickels misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickels being controlled against the cage.
Nickels throws an elbow but it misses.
Zola tries to stall but Nickels uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Zola pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zola throws a lazy right hand but Nickels sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nickels uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zola.
A lazy left from Nickels finds it's target.

It looks like Gorgon Zola has been cut.
Zola lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zola paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nickels looks to throw a body kick
and Zola counters with a thumping low kick.
Nickels tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zola manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A right-left combo lands from Nickels.
Nickels pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zola goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
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!
Some wild striking there from Zola.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola motions for Nickels to come forward. Zola throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zola ducks right into an uppercut from Nickels.
Zola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nickels throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice straight punches there by Zola. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zola.
Nickels misses with a looping left.
Nickels swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zola.
Nickels tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zola was well out of range. Poor timing from Nickels.
Nickels lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zola at a distance.
A thudding body kick lands there by Nickels!
Zola keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nickels.

Nickels shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Zola napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Nickels working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickels is looking to take a break and control but Zola is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zola tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nickels wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Nickels is looking to take a break and control but Zola is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zola takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Zola parries the strikes from Nickels easily there. Nickels is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Zola to escape.
Nickels has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Zola is looking to reverse the position.
Nickels is working Zola over with some ground and pound from side control.
Zola gets back to half guard.
Nickels is trying to control. Zola wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Jimmy Nickels overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zola is controlling Nickels's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Zola gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickels postures up.
Zola has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Zola keeping moving, preventing Nickels from controlling successfully.
Zola preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zola is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Zola keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Nickels makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nickels.
Zola is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jimmy Nickels will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gorgon Zola's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nickels throws a push kick but Zola slaps the foot to one side.
Nickels throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Nickels tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Zola counters with a stiff right hand.
Nickels tries to clinch but Zola moves away
and Zola counters with a two punch combo.
Nickels misses with a two punch combination.
Nickels keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zola.
The crowd cheers as Zola lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nickels doesn't seem phased though.
Zola throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd cheers as Zola lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nickels doesn't seem phased though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zola uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nickels has time to react.
Nickels uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zola.
Nickels scores with a nice right hand.
Zola lands a nice shot that snaps Nickels's head back.
Zola scores with a three punch combo!
Nickels throws the kick towards the body but Zola avoids it.
Zola lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickels tests Zola's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nickels throws a head kick that misses.
Zola is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Zola misses with a wild combination.
Nickels takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zola throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nickels sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zola misses with a straight right.
Nickels is looking for a counter combo.
Zola throws a poor cross that misses
and Nickels counters with a nice uppercut.
Nickels throws a hook to the side of Zola's head but Zola sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nickels fails in his attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Zola misses the target.
Zola steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nickels.
Nickels throws the kick towards the body but Zola avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nickels swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nickels is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zola stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zola wants it to stay on the feet.
Nickels bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zola swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nickels tries to land a front kick but Zola steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nickels throws a predictable looking body shot
and Zola cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zola blocks an uppercut.
Zola has had enough of the clinch but Nickels keeps him there for the moment.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nickels just misses with a elbow thrown towards Zola's brow.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zola fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nickels is working for takedown but Zola is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nickels has a couple of punches blocked by Zola.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zola blocks the elbow strike.
Nice elbow from Nickels.
Zola stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Jimmy Nickels has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nickels swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Zola.
Zola avoids a wild elbow strike from Nickels.
Zola misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nickels pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Zola.

Zola breaks the clinch.
Nickels takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nickels ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zola moves away.
Nickels misses with a kick to the body.
Nickels looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nickels looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zola misses with a looping right.
Zola connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gorgon Zola is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nickels misses with a two punch combination.
Zola throws a nice looking combination but Nickels bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zola defending well as Nickels loads up on a big left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nickels needs to keep his hands up - Zola had a free shot at his head there.
Zola misses with an uppercut. Nickels saw that one coming.
Nickels uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Zola has time to react.
Decent striking displayed by Nickels there.
Zola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nickels scores with a jab. Zola acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Some wild striking there from Nickels.

Nickels clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gorgon Zola.
I think Zola has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gorgon Zola!
Gorgon Zola was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.