PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gregor Marek (ranked 78 p4p, 144 weight class) and Aleks Nik (ranked 12 p4p, 21 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Marek
vs
Nik

185 cm
32
177
23 - 2 - 1

178 cm
35
171
20 - 12 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gregor Marek!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aleks Nik!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marek misses with a hook to the body
and Nik counters with a left to the body.
Marek misses with a kick to the body

and Nik counters with a single leg into guard. Marek didn't expect that.
Nik working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nik not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Nik is looking to work some ground and pound but Marek has wrist control.
Marek keeping moving, preventing Nik from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nik with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nik engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Nik throwing strikes from guard but Marek blocks nicely.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marek misses with an uppercut. Nik saw that one coming.
Gregor Marek is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marek throws a leg kick that is checked
and Nik counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Marek motions for Nik to come forward. Marek throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nik blocks a head kick by Marek.
Marek scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nik in his tracks.
Marek swings widly with a right hand
and Nik makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Marek doesn't manage to clinch there - Nik circles away.
A nice side step and Nik releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Marek throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Nik counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Marek tries to clinch there but Nik circles away.
Nik feints the counter takedown.
A low kick from Marek is predictable there
and Nik counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Marek lands the left hand.

Nik drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nik looking to pass the guard.
Nik is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Nik is looking to work some ground and pound but Marek has wrist control.
Nik wants to control from the top but Marek keeps moving.
Nik's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nik wants to control from the top but Marek keeps moving.
Marek avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marek takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nik misses with a body shot.
We've been told by Marek's head coaches at Canadian Elite Bruins Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A right-left combo lands from Marek.
Marek steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nik.
Marek is looking to counter with a body kick.
Marek throws a leg kick

so Nik counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Nik throws a big elbow that misses.
Nik trying to control but Marek is working from the bottom.
Marek working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nik.
Marek keeping moving, preventing Nik from controlling successfully.
Nik slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nik is trying to control the action in half guard but Marek is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nik lands a nice short elbow.
Nik looks to land a strike but Marek avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Nik throwing strikes but missing.
Nik trying to control the position from guard on top but Marek is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nik lands a couple of elbows.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nik trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nik lands a couple of digs.
Marek utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleks Nik dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Marek looks to score with a jab to the body but Nik is just out of range.
Nik has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Marek throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nik counters with a straight right hand.
A leg kick checked by Nik.
Nik changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Marek tries to clinch there but Nik circles away.
Marek dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nik. That did some damage!
Marek scores with a nice strike.
Marek swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nik now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Marek misses with a leg kick
and Nik counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Marek throws a head kick but Nik moves out of range.
Nik lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Marek at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nik uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Marek.
Nik feints the counter takedown.
Marek fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nik misses the jab.
Nik throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marek lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Marek swings widly with a right hand
and Nik counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Marek pushes Nik away with a front kick.
Jab, jab by Marek - just one landing.
Nik misses with a wild body shot.
Marek misses with a leg kick

and Nik decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Marek's guard.
Nik is looking to work some ground and pound but Marek has wrist control.
Nik trying to control the position from guard on top but Marek is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nik controls from within his opponent's guard.
Marek managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nik trying to control but Marek is working from the bottom.
Nik throws a big right hand that misses.
Nik postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nik lands a couple of elbows.
Marek is trying to control the position but Nik postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nik's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Nik duly obliges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nik rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Marek connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marek fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nik manages to avoid it.
Marek throws a jab when Nik was well out of range.
Marek misses with the combination.
Marek throws a hook but Nik avoids it easily.
Nik is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Gregor Marek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Marek rushes Nik and presses him up against the cage.
Marek swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Marek misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nik tries to throw a body punch but Marek avoids it by throwing Nik back against the cage.
Nik throws a head punch that misses.
Nik is leaning against Marek and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nik is trying to drag Marek to the mat but Marek just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A right handed body shot lands from Nik.
A body shot lands from Nik.
Nik can't get the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marek blocks a body shot from Nik.

Nik gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Nik throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nik not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Aleks Nik has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nik working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Marek's head.
Nik slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Let's hope that Nik 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.
Marek keeping full guard, as Nik tries to pass.
Nik engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleks Nik showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Marek is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nik swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Marek tries to move into range but Nik moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Marek throws a head kick that misses.
Nice shot by Marek.
Marek throws a leg kick that is checked
and Nik counters with a straight right hand.
Marek lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nik at a distance.
Nik throws a good cross that connects.
Aleks Nik seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marek clinches with his opponent.
Marek tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nik's elbow.

Nik has hold of one of Marek's legs. Marek is fighting the takedown attempt but Nik gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nik wants to pass the guard but Marek is keeping the position.
Nik is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Nik has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nik is looking to work some ground and pound but Marek has wrist control.
Nik working some strikes from top position.
Marek has momentary wrist control but Nik slips an elbow through the middle.
Nik in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nik cracks Marek with a solid left hand.
Nik slips nicely into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nik is looking to take a break and control but Marek is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Marek is looking for a sweep. Nik is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nik sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Marek defending well though.
Marek taking some punishment here, with Nik in his half guard.
Marek avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nik.
Nik wants to pass to mount but Marek is defending the position.
Marek regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Nik.
Nik throwing strikes from guard but Marek blocks nicely.
Nik trying to control the position from guard on top but Marek is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marek tries to land a body kick
and Nik counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Marek misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nik.
Marek misses the body punch
and Nik connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A low kick from Marek misses

and Nik counters with a single leg into guard. Marek didn't expect that.
Nik scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nik accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nik is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nik keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Marek's head.
Nik stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Marek swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Marek is trying to keep Nik in close.
Marek avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nik passes into half guard.
Nik wants to lay and pray for a moment but Marek keeps working.
Nik throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Marek regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Nik.
Nik postures up in Marek's guard and throws a big left but Marek blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marek keeping moving, preventing Nik from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleks Nik really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Nik lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Marek misses with a hook. Nik ducked under it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Nik on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A punch combination from Marek misses.
Nik checks a leg kick.
Nik feints the counter takedown.
Marek throws a quick inside leg kick.
A slow jab from Marek misses its intended target.
Nik shoots in but Marek avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A quick step to the side and Marek tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marek misses with an uppercut
and Nik counters with a nice uppercut.
Marek swings widly with a right hand
and Nik counters with a nice uppercut.
Nik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
That kick from Marek tenderised Nik's leg. Nik is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marek just misses with a punch to the body.
Nik looks to score with a jab to the body but Marek is just out of range.
Marek looks to land a left hand but Nik moved out of range nicely.
Nik looks to throw the jab but Marek is out of range.
Marek appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Nik circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marek connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Marek throws a big shot that misses.
Nik ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Marek looks to score with a jab to the body but Nik is just out of range.
Nik uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marek.
Marek misses with a jab to the body
and Nik counters with a nice uppercut.
Nik throws a jab when Marek was well out of range.
Marek throws out a loose jab but Nik uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marek misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Marek walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nik checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nik tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Marek throws a big shot that misses.
Nik is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Marek with a body shot.
Nik cracks Marek with an open hand slap.
Nik works Marek's body with a nice hook.

Marek has taken the fight to the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nik tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short body shot lands from Nik as the two fighters clinch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Marek swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Nik scores with a nice short uppercut.
Marek working aggressively here.
Nik misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nik prevents a body shot from Marek.
Marek tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Marek lands a right hand.
Marek blocks a body shot from Nik.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nik.
Nik tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nik lands a left hand that snaps the head of Marek backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Marek.
Nik lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nik lands a body punch in the clinch.

Nik escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nik scores with a hook.
Nik keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Marek.
Marek moves out of range of the strikes.
Marek takes a jab right on the kisser.
Marek connects with a leg kick.
Nik takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Marek doesn't manage to clinch there - Nik circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marek throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marek tries to clinch but Nik moves out of range.
Marek fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nik manages to avoid it.
Marek slips a straight right by Nik.
Marek throws a sloppy body shot
and Nik counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nik avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Despite the aggression on Nik's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nik works the jab nicely.
Nik ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nik avoids the body shot from Marek.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nik! But no joy.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nik doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Marek has a couple of punches blocked by Nik.
Nik lands with a right to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleks Nik dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Marek throws a left and a right that both miss
and Marek takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Aleks Nik is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The fighters circle momentarily. Marek darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Marek throws a hook to the side of Nik's head but Nik sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A looping hook to the body misses from Marek. Nik does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little jabbing left from Nik on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nik avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
It seemed like Nik was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Marek misses with an uppercut. Nik saw that one coming.
Nik has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Nik moves away from the strike by Marek.
Marek misses with the body kick
and Nik counters with a three punch combo that has Marek backing up. Marek nods at Nik to acknowledge the strikes.
Nik circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A leg kick checked by Nik.
Marek misses the shot to the body.
A big left from Nik misses.
Marek attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marek misses with a right hand
and Nik counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Marek thinking.
Marek tries to clinch up but Nik circles away and keeps his distance.
Marek throws a big shot that misses.
Marek rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nik counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Marek throws a lazy uppercut
and Nik counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nik tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Marek swivels and escapes.
Marek misses with a wild combination.
Nik misses with a wild body shot.
A nice combination there by Nik.
Marek tries to clinch but Nik moves out of range.
Nik lands with a nice body punch.
Gregor Marek has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marek has closed the distance and engaged Nik in a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Marek.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nik blocks an uppercut.
Marek tries to work over Nik's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nik is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Marek is defending well.
Nik is working Marek over against the cage.
Nik struggles to land a body shot inside as Marek controls his hands.
Marek lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nik.
Nik has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Marek after a bit of a struggle.
Gregor Marek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleks Nik.
Marek scores with a shot to the side of Nik's head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nik.
Marek tries to work over Nik's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Marek tries to work over Nik's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nik blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nik tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Marek's elbow.
Marek misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nik blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nik tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Marek tries to throw a body punch but Nik avoids it by throwing Marek back against the cage.
Nik misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Marek.
Nik misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Marek.
Nik swings wildly with an uppercut but Marek uses good head movement to avoid it.
Marek lands a shoulder strike.
A nice left hand lands by Marek.
A nice left hand lands by Marek.
Nik lands a shot to the body.
Marek misses with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Nik.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Marek creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gregor Marek has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Marek tries to work over Nik's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Marek tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nik presses Marek against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nik works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A nice left hand lands by Nik.
Nik lands a left hand that snaps the head of Marek backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right hand to the body from Nik.
A hook to the body from Nik.
Nice body punch from Nik - that landed with a thud.
Marek looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nik cracks Marek with a nice body shot.
Nik struggles to land a body shot inside as Marek controls his hands.
Nik tries to work over Marek's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nik digs a right hand into Marek's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Marek's gas tank.
Nik tries a body shot but Marek blocks it.
Nik looking for a takedown.

Nik's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nik getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Marek gets caught flat footed, as Nik shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nik working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleks Nik comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nik 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 45:50
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 45:50
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleks Nik!
Aleks Nik is the new welterweight champion!
A victorious Aleks Nik thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.