PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rob Smith (ranked 3379 p4p, 3409 weight class) and Dennis Nilsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dennis Nilsen is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Smith
vs
Nilsen

185 cm
19
220
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
44
212
22 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power

Olympic wrestler
Decent knees
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rob Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dennis Nilsen!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jonathan Paton and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nilsen has Smith pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smith manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Nilsen lands a takedown into guard.
Nilsen prevents Smith from getting back to his feet.
Smith definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Smith keeping full guard, as Nilsen tries to pass.
Nilsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nilsen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nilsen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
My spies in IMMA Gym of Elite ASS inform me that Nilsen has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Nilsen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nilsen stands and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Nilsen swings around for an armbar but Smith sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Nilsen's guard.
Nilsen wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.

Nilsen working for submissions but it's allowed Smith to get to half guard.
Nilsen manages to get to full guard.
Nilsen looking for a sweep. Not yet Nilsen, not yet.

Nilsen has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Smith is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Nilsen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nilsen is trying to get back to half guard.
Smith wants to stand but Nilsen has his arm trapped.
Nilsen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Nilsen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Nilsen wants to pass to mount but Smith is defending the position.

Nilsen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nilsen trying to control from half guard but Smith is working away.
Nilsen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Smith haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Nilsen is stalling here. Smith is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Nilsen seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Smith has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Nilsen tries to bench press Smith off him but Smith keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to stand but Nilsen is controlling his head.
Nilsen tries to bench press Smith off him but Smith keeps the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dennis Nilsen will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smith closes the distance but Nilsen moves to the side
and Nilsen counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Rob Smith has been cut.
Smith tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Nilsen counters with a crisp right hand that drops Smith! Nilsen lets Smith back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Smith is rocked!
Nilsen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.
Smith lands a nice hook to Nilsen's body. Nilsen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nilsen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.

Smith rushes Nilsen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nilsen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Smith lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nilsen backwards.

Nilsen gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nilsen on the ground.
Smith is looking to escape.
Nilsen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Nilsen seems to be looking for submissions.

Nilsen is trying to work for a kimura but Smith is defending well.
Nilsen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Nilsen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nilsen wants to pass the guard but Smith is defending well.

Nilsen is trying to work for a kimura but Smith is defending well.
Nilsen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nilsen wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.

Nilsen is looking for a kimura here.

Nilsen is working for an americana but Smith has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Nilsen was thinking about the submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nilsen wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Dennis Nilsen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nilsen advances to half guard.
Smith is looking to escape.

Nilsen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smith is just riding it out for now. Nilsen eventually gives up the hold.

Nilsen seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Nilsen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Smith sees it coming and defends easily.

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

Nilsen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Nilsen is trying to work for a kimura but Smith is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith is refusing to be controlled, as Nilsen sits in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Nilsen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rob Smith's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Smith wants to clinch up but Nilsen keeps it at a distance.
Nilsen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Smith tries to clinch but Nilsen is having none of it.
And Nilsen tries to counter it with a takedown but Smith pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nilsen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith is looking to clinch but Nilsen is avoiding it.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Nilsen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Nilsen has Smith pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smith manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rob Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dennis Nilsen.
Smith swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nilsen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nilsen tries to score a body lock takedown but Smith shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nilsen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith tries to work over Nilsen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Nilsen lands a takedown into guard.
Nilsen forces his way into half guard.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nilsen works his way into side control.
Smith on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Smith tries to get out of the position.
Smith is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Nilsen has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Nilsen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Smith is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nilsen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Nilsen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Smith, who protects the arm well.

Nilsen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Smith is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Smith wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nilsen tries for a kimura but Smith is defending well.

Nilsen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Nilsen tries for a kimura but Smith is defending well.

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.

Nilsen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Smith, who protects the arm well.
Smith is trying to buck Nilsen off.

Nilsen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rob Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nilsen wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
Dennis Nilsen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smith is trying to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dennis Nilsen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nilsen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dennis Nilsen!
Dennis Nilsen 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.