PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Petr Vondrachek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maksim Nikifor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikifor has chosen Enae Volare Mezzo as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vondrachek
vs
Nikifor

185 cm
22
216 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

195 cm
25
205 lbs
10 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Petr Vondrachek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maksim Nikifor!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikifor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vondrachek.
Maksim Nikifor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikifor looks to throw the jab but Vondrachek is out of range.
Vondrachek walks into a straight right hand from Nikifor.

It looks like Petr Vondrachek has been cut.
Vondrachek throws out a loose jab but Nikifor uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vondrachek fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Nikifor. That snapped Vondrachek's head back.
Nikifor ducks under a wild hook from Vondrachek.
Vondrachek cracks a nice hook into Nikifor's ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vondrachek doesn't manage to clinch there - Nikifor circles away.
Vondrachek is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nikifor throws out a loose jab but Vondrachek uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikifor throws an overhand right that lands on Vondrachek's shoulder, as Vondrachek tries to avoid the shot.
Vondrachek takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Vondrachek looks to throw the jab but Nikifor is out of range.
Nikifor digs a good body shot into Vondrachek's ribs.
Some wild striking there from Nikifor.
Nikifor slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nikifor misses with a looping right.
A shot to de liver by Nikifor. Beautiful body shot.
Nikifor thows a body shot but no joy.
A jab lands there for Nikifor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vondrachek shoots in but no luck this time.
Nikifor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Vondrachek tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nikifor paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nikifor throws a hook but Vondrachek avoids it easily.
Nikifor tries to move into range but Vondrachek moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Vondrachek uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikifor.
Vondrachek ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Vondrachek slips under a jab from Nikifor.
Vondrachek scores with a decent looking hook.
Nikifor scores with a hook.
Maksim Nikifor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vondrachek throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nikifor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nikifor tries to bum rush Vondrachek with a series of wild strikes but Vondrachek uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nikifor misses with a double jab.
Jab, jab by Vondrachek - just one landing.
Nikifor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vondrachek throws a looping overhand right but Nikifor ducks down to avoid it.
Vondrachek looks for a takedown but Nikifor sprawls well.
Vondrachek tries to clinch there but Nikifor circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vondrachek uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nikifor.
Nikifor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vondrachek circles away quickly and effectively.
Nikifor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vondrachek.
Vondrachek lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nikifor at a distance.
Vondrachek fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vondrachek lands with a cross.
A left and a right from Vondrachek both land. Nice combination.
Nikifor looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vondrachek steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nikifor.
Vondrachek scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nikifor in his tracks.
Nikifor loads up on a big right hand but Vondrachek slips the punch.
Vondrachek tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A nice leg kick lands there from Vondrachek.
Vondrachek just misses with a punch to the body.
Some wild striking there from Nikifor.
Nikifor misses with a few strikes there.
Vondrachek keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vondrachek is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikifor misses with an uppercut. Vondrachek saw that one coming.
Vondrachek cracks Nikifor with an open hand slap.
Vondrachek connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nikifor takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nikifor. Vondrachek does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nikifor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vondrachek lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Vondrachek throws a good cross that connects.
Vondrachek lands with a hook. Nikifor tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Vondrachek misses the shot to the body.

Vondrachek forces Nikifor back against the cage and clinches.
Nikifor prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Petr Vondrachek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikifor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vondrachek can't get the takedown.
Vondrachek prevents Nikifor from breaking the clinch.
Vondrachek can't get the takedown.
Vondrachek tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nikifor smiles and moves away.
Vondrachek moves away from the strike by Nikifor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikifor misses with a hook. Vondrachek ducked under it nicely.
Nikifor takes a swing at Vondrachek's ribcage but misses.
Nikifor takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nikifor misses with a shot to the body
and Vondrachek counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vondrachek missing with a left hand there. Nikifor was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vondrachek lands a jab to Nikifor's midsection.

Vondrachek looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Vondrachek wants to work for an arm triangle but Nikifor is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nikifor keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vondrachek has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Vondrachek is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petr Vondrachek dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Petr Vondrachek's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Vondrachek takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nikifor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vondrachek.
Nikifor looks to land a left hand but Vondrachek moved out of range nicely.
Nikifor misses with a wild body shot.
A jab from Vondrachek finds it's way through Nikifor's defenses.
Nikifor lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nikifor gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Vondrachek stuns Nikifor with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nikifor throws a right hand that Vondrachek ducks under and follows up with a left that Vondrachek also avoids with ease.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vondrachek looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vondrachek takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Vondrachek throws an overhand right that lands on Nikifor's shoulder, as Nikifor tries to avoid the shot.
Nikifor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nikifor throws a looping overhand right but Vondrachek ducks down to avoid it.
Nikifor takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vondrachek tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nikifor swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nikifor misses with a body shot.
Vondrachek misses the jab.
Nikifor misses the jab.
Nikifor keeps the fight on the outside.
Nikifor goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vondrachek connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Vondrachek is looking to chop away at Nikifor's legs.
Nikifor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nikifor is breathing heavily.
Vondrachek takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nikifor looks to score with a jab to the body but Vondrachek is just out of range.
Nikifor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vondrachek fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nikifor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vondrachek bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vondrachek connects with a jab.
Nikifor throws a looping overhand right but Vondrachek ducks down to avoid it.
Nikifor swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikifor fails to land with a series of punches.
Nikifor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vondrachek.
Nikifor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vondrachek moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nikifor throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vondrachek lands a jab.
Vondrachek throws a combination. Nikifor tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vondrachek lands a head shot.
Vondrachek connects with a right hand. Nikifor shakes it off.
Vondrachek digs a good hook to Nikifor's body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vondrachek looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nikifor on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Vondrachek lands with a nice body punch.
Vondrachek throws an overhand right that lands on Nikifor's shoulder, as Nikifor tries to avoid the shot.
Vondrachek shoots in for a takedown but Nikifor shows good takedown defense.
Vondrachek stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nikifor tries to move into range but Vondrachek moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Vondrachek darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vondrachek trying to control from half guard but Nikifor is working away.

Vondrachek is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nikifor has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nikifor is staying active underneath Vondrachek, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

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.
Vondrachek slips a nice elbow through Nikifor's hands, connecting with Nikifor's forehead.
Vondrachek prevents Nikifor from standing back up.
Vondrachek sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Vondrachek is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nikifor sees it coming and defends easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vondrachek is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nikifor sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petr Vondrachek dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Petr Vondrachek's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nikifor dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nikifor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vondrachek.
Vondrachek wants to clinch.
Nikifor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vondrachek looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nikifor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vondrachek.
Nikifor cracks a nice hook into Vondrachek's ribs.
Nikifor blocks a head kick by Vondrachek.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikifor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nikifor throws a combination that misses
and Vondrachek counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nikifor throws a right hand that Vondrachek ducks under and follows up with a left that Vondrachek also avoids with ease.
Nikifor thuds a left hand into Vondrachek's body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vondrachek looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nikifor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vondrachek slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikifor punishes Vondrachek's body with a nice straight punch.
Nikifor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nikifor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nikifor thows a body shot but no joy.
Vondrachek scores with a hook.
Vondrachek displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nikifor throws out the jab.

Nikifor gets caught flat footed, as Vondrachek shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Vondrachek tries to free his leg and advance position but Nikifor is retaining full guard.
Vondrachek is working hard here to advance position.
Vondrachek forces his way into half guard.

Vondrachek is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nikifor doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Vondrachek.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vondrachek seems to be looking for submissions.

Nikifor is defending against the submission attempts here by Vondrachek.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vondrachek is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Vondrachek trying to control from half guard but Nikifor is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikifor is trying to stand.

That's four 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.
Well, if Vondrachek is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Petr Vondrachek is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vondrachek wants to control but Nikifor is keeping him busy.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Good shot there by Nikifor.
Vondrachek uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikifor.
Vondrachek avoids a punch combination nicely.
Petr Vondrachek is winning the standup battle so far.
Nikifor misses with a wild body shot.
Maksim Nikifor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vondrachek moves out of range as Nikifor strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Petr Vondrachek.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vondrachek, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Petr Vondrachek!