PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Baldomir Barbosa (ranked 3060 p4p, 3441 weight class) and Andrey Nikonov (ranked 421 p4p, 460 weight class). Barbosa comes into the arena with Unfaithful blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Barbosa
vs
Nikonov

185 cm
21
186
3 - 3 - 0

181 cm
22
175
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Conquer
Big Chief Nutrition & Laundry Services (80%)

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Baldomir Barbosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Andrey Nikonov!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Ben Hemmingworth and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikonov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nikonov takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Nikonov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nikonov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nikonov wants to free his trapped foot but Barbosa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Nikonov wants to control but Barbosa is keeping him busy.
Nikonov controlling the action here.
Barbosa keeps control of the position for the meantime.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbosa is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nikonov seems to be working for a kimura but Barbosa defends the submission attempt.
Barbosa is positioning himself well to prevent Nikonov advancing to mount.
Barbosa wants to control but Nikonov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Barbosa is trying to get back to full guard.
Barbosa definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nikonov passes to full mount!

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.
Nikonov thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

Nikonov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Barbosa to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Barbosa shrugs it off.
Barbosa is trying desperately to improve position.

Nikonov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Barbosa to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Barbosa shrugs it off.
Barbosa tries to hold on but Nikonov postures up.
Barbosa tries to reverse the position but Nikonov maintains control.
Barbosa is squirming around, avoiding Nikonov's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa is looking to get to half guard.
Nikonov controlling the position easily from mount.
Nikonov looking to control but Barbosa is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Barbosa stops Nikonov from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Nikonov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Barbosa hang on?

Nikonov has control of Barbosa's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Barbosa regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Nikonov is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Barbosa is surviving well by controlling Nikonov's body position as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa wants to hold on but Nikonov pushes him away.
Nikonov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Barbosa is looking to escape.
Barbosa is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nikonov fails to advance to Barbosa's back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbosa regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Nikonov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nice shot lands for Barbosa.

It looks like Andrey Nikonov has been cut.
Nikonov throws a leg kick
and Barbosa scores with a counter punch that sends Nikonov to the canvas! Barbosa smells blood - he's punishing Nikonov with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Nikonov has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:16 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Baldomir Barbosa!
During a confident post fight interview, Baldomir Barbosa thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.