PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aslanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 1492 p4p, 1742 weight class) and Dill Nickle (ranked 79 p4p, 95 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Akhtankhanov
vs
Nickle

178 cm
25
145
6 - 3 - 0

176 cm
24
148
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dill Nickle!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Robert Douchet and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A cross from Nickle lands.
Akhtankhanov misses the shot to the body.
Nickle ducks right into an uppercut from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov swings for the body but Nickle moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Nickle throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Akhtankhanov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nickle is in Akhtankhanov's guard.
Akhtankhanov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nickle accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nickle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nickle postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Akhtankhanov is on top in guard.

Nickle is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akhtankhanov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Akhtankhanov is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nickle's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nickle's back!
Akhtankhanov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Nickle.
Akhtankhanov keeps control of the position as Nickle tries to break free.
Nickle has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Akhtankhanov is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Nickle turns into Akhtankhanov and is now in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nickle accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Akhtankhanov has his hands on Nickle's head, controlling the position.
Akhtankhanov is trying to keep Nickle in close.
Nickle working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Akhtankhanov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Nickle scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Nickle cracks Akhtankhanov with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nickle throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nickle stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akhtankhanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nickle trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickle postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nickle stands up over Akhtankhanov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nickle won't allow Akhtankhanov to sweep him here.
Nickle wants to pass the guard but Akhtankhanov is keeping the position.
Nickle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Akhtankhanov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nickle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nickle throws a big right hand that misses.
Akhtankhanov is pulling down on Nickle's head to control his posture.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nickle accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Akhtankhanov is pulling down on Nickle's head to control his posture.
Nickle throwing strikes but missing.
Nickle looking to pass the guard.
Akhtankhanov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickle throwing strikes but missing.
Nickle with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nickle slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Nickle misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Nickle tries to score with some ground and pound. Akhtankhanov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Akhtankhanov tries to buck Nickle off but Nickle is having none of it.
Akhtankhanov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nickle's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Akhtankhanov trying to control but Nickle postures up.
Akhtankhanov wants to improve his position but Nickle is controlling well.

Nickle 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dill Nickle dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Akhtankhanov punishes Nickle's body with a nice straight punch.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters circling - Akhtankhanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Akhtankhanov throws a hook but Nickle avoids it easily.
Nickle takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Akhtankhanov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Akhtankhanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Akhtankhanov dips to his left and cracks Nickle with an uppercut!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickle swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akhtankhanov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nickle avoids the body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov is looking to wear down Nickle with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Nickle takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Akhtankhanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick which misses Nickle's front leg but catches the back leg as Nickle tries to avoid it.

Nickle gets the takedown into side control.

Nickle tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Akhtankhanov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Akhtankhanov is trying to improve his position.
Akhtankhanov can't do much from the bottom here.
Akhtankhanov dodges the ground and pound from Nickle.

Nickle tries for a kimura but Akhtankhanov is defending well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nickle thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Nickle working the ground and pound but Akhtankhanov is defending the strikes.
Akhtankhanov is trying to control Nickle's posture but Nickle avoids it.

Nickle is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Akhtankhanov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Nickle working the head and body with strikes.
I wouldn't like to be where Akhtankhanov is right now.
Akhtankhanov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Nickle.
Akhtankhanov dodges the ground and pound from Nickle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Nickle looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Akhtankhanov tries to buck Nickle off but Nickle is having none of it.
Akhtankhanov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Nickle.

Nickle tries for a kimura but Akhtankhanov is defending well.
Akhtankhanov sneaks back into half guard.

Nickle is looking for submissions but instead, Akhtankhanov has regained full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickle throwing strikes but missing.
Nickle works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Akhtankhanov wants to improve his position but Nickle is controlling well.
Akhtankhanov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nickle's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nickle's back!
Nickle is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Nickle is still trying to improve position.
Akhtankhanov keeps control of the position easily here as Nickle tries to buck him off.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aslanbek Akhtankhanov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A decent looking cross lands there for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov is looking to slow Nickle down with leg kicks.
Nickle tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nickle doesn't manage to clinch there - Akhtankhanov circles away.
Akhtankhanov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Akhtankhanov throws a big shot that misses.
Nickle throws a counter combo.
Akhtankhanov misses the shot to the body.
Nickle takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Akhtankhanov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nickle tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Akhtankhanov swings for the body but Nickle moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akhtankhanov moves out of range of the strikes.
Akhtankhanov missing with a left hand there. Nickle was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nickle throws a big shot that misses.
Nickle scores with a sloppy right hand. Akhtankhanov should have avoided that one.
An inside leg kick lands from Akhtankhanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook. Nickle ducked under it nicely.
Akhtankhanov throws a hook but Nickle avoids it easily.
Akhtankhanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akhtankhanov throws a body punch but Nickle moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nickle's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Akhtankhanov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Nickle scrambles back to his feet.
Nickle takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nickle takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nickle misses with a body shot.
Akhtankhanov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Akhtankhanov as he connects with a hook.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Akhtankhanov lands with an overhand left.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nickle walks into a left hand.
Akhtankhanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov slips a straight right by Nickle.
Akhtankhanov scores with a jab.
Akhtankhanov throws a front kick aimed at Nickle's knee but Nickle avoids it well.
A nice inside leg kick there by Akhtankhanov. That's going to slow Nickle down.

Nickle manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Akhtankhanov on his heels. He'll look to pass Akhtankhanov's guard now, I'm sure.
Nickle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nickle is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Akhtankhanov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Nickle throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Akhtankhanov managing to control the position.
Akhtankhanov looking for a sweep. Not yet Akhtankhanov, not yet.
Nickle postures up in Akhtankhanov's guard and throws a big left but Akhtankhanov blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nickle working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nickle throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nickle loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nickle working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Akhtankhanov's head.
Nickle with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Akhtankhanov pulls Nickle in close to prevent any damage.
Akhtankhanov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Akhtankhanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Akhtankhanov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dill Nickle has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nickle missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nickle missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Akhtankhanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Akhtankhanov trying to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickle is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Akhtankhanov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Akhtankhanov wants to stand but Nickle is controlling the position.
Nickle stands up over Akhtankhanov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nickle is in close to Akhtankhanov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nickle works over Akhtankhanov with some ground and pound from guard.
Akhtankhanov wants to sweep here but Nickle controlling him for the moment.
Nickle trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nickle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Akhtankhanov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nickle postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nickle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Akhtankhanov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Akhtankhanov pulls Nickle in close to prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Akhtankhanov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov thanked the fans post fight for their support.