PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Panagiotis Nikolau (ranked 2167 p4p, 1666 weight class) and Nikora Tama (ranked 269 p4p, 212 weight class). Tama has chosen Haka War Dance as his entrance music. 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.

Nikolau
vs
Tama

190 cm
29
228
13 - 11 - 0

195 cm
25
255
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Shadow Realm Apparel

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Panagiotis Nikolau!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nikora Tama!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tama fails to land the takedown.
Nikolau throws a head kick that misses.
Nikolau leaves Tama with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nikolau tried to counter with a leg kick but Tama avoided it.
Nikolau throws a shot to the body.

Nikolau drops Tama with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Tama looks back up at him and smiles so Nikolau waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

It looks like Nikora Tama has been cut.
Nikolau ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tama moves away.
Nikora Tama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tama dives in for a single leg takedown but Nikolau sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nikolau is looking for a counter combo.
Panagiotis Nikolau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikora Tama.
Tama slips under a jab.
Tama shoots in and drives through. Nikolau sprawls well.

Tama forces Nikolau back against the cage and clinches.
Tama leaning his opponent against the cage.
I was talking to Nikolau's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Tama blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tama blocks a body shot from Nikolau.
Tama has had enough of the clinch but Nikolau keeps him there for the moment.
Nikolau has a couple of punches blocked by Tama.
Nikolau managing to block the knees to the body from Tama.
A nice left hand lands by Nikolau.
A right hand to the body from Nikolau.
Nikolau tries to work over Tama's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tama is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nikolau gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tama is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nikolau pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tama fails to pull guard.
Nikolau swings wildly with an uppercut but Tama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikolau tries to throw a body punch but Tama avoids it by throwing Nikolau back against the cage.
Tama jumps guard but Nikolau turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Nikolau misses with a punch on the inside.
Tama is trying to pull guard but Nikolau has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolau lands an uppercut.
Nikolau lands with a right to the head.
Nikolau tries to work over Tama's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nikolau gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tama.
Tama tries to circle away but Nikolau has him pinned against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nikolau.
Tama is trying to pull guard but Nikolau has him pressed against the cage.

Tama ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tama no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Tama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nikolau is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nikolau knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tama on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikolau continues to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tama not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tama has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Tama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nikolau has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Nikolau avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nikolau not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Tama is trying to control the position but Nikolau postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Tama is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nikolau is looking to stand up but Tama won't let him.

Tama looking for a triangle here. Nikolau is fighting it but it looks tight! Tama pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Nikolau is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Nikora Tama!