PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lev Nikifor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gavriil Endymion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Endymion is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Message. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Nikifor
vs
Endymion

189 cm
20
178 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
180 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

•‡• LION Clothing •‡•

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lev Nikifor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gavriil Endymion!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Nikifor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Endymion looks to land a right hand but Nikifor moved out of range.
Endymion looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nikifor scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Endymion lands a glancing blow to the side of Nikifor's head.

It looks like Lev Nikifor has been cut.
Nikifor throws a series of punches but Endymion avoids them all with ease.
Lev Nikifor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Endymion defending well as Nikifor loads up on a big left hand.
Endymion tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nikifor looks to throw the jab but Endymion is out of range.
Endymion uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nikifor has time to react.
Nikifor misses with an uppercut.
Nikifor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A jab from Nikifor finds it's way through Endymion's defenses.
Endymion throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nikifor misses with a straight right.
Endymion is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nikifor takes a swing at Endymion's ribcage but misses.
Nikifor staying out of range there.
Nikifor scores with a decent looking hook.
Nikifor slips under a jab.
Nikifor scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Endymion is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Endymion closes the distance and clinches.
Endymion is still on wobbly legs! Can Nikifor finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Endymion.
Endymion seems to have recovered his senses.
Endymion lands a left hand.
Endymion misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nikifor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Endymion throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Nikifor is trying to force a seperation but Endymion has the dominant position.
Nikifor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Endymion has him pressed against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nikifor.
Endymion blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Endymion misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good body shot from Endymion.
Endymion lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nikifor.
Endymion scores with a shoulder strike.
Nikifor is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Endymion is keeping busy.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Endymion.
Endymion lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nikifor is breathing heavily.
Endymion misses with the head strike.
Endymion throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A head punch on the inside from Endymion fails to land.
Nikifor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Endymion scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nikifor tries to break the clinch but Endymion is controlling the position.
Endymion misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nikifor blocks a body shot from Endymion.
Endymion fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nikifor blocking some punches.
Endymion lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Endymion pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nikifor slips a jab and a cross from Endymion.
Nikifor defending well as Endymion loads up on a big left hand.
Nikifor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Endymion.
A cross from Endymion lands.
Nikifor throws a jab when Endymion was well out of range.
Endymion connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nikifor's hands.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nikifor avoids a punch combination nicely.

Endymion closes the distance and clinches.
Endymion digs a right hand into Nikifor's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nikifor's gas tank.
Endymion misses with the head strike.
Endymion misses with a punch on the inside.
Endymion fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Endymion cracks Nikifor with a nice body shot.
Endymion lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nikifor backwards.
A right hand to the body from Nikifor.
Endymion gets through Nikifor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Endymion breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A jab from Nikifor misses.
Endymion keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nikifor swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikifor misses with a straight right.
No joy there for Nikifor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Endymion pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Endymion keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Endymion lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nikifor at a distance.

Endymion gets a takedown into half guard.
Endymion has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Endymion connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Endymion is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Endymion shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Nikifor napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Endymion wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nikifor, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nikifor is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Endymion is controlling him well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Endymion is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nikifor is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikifor wants to control but Endymion postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gavriil Endymion dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lev Nikifor's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Endymion clinches with his opponent.
Nikifor's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Nikifor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Endymion throws a hook to the side of Nikifor's head but Nikifor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Endymion moves away from the strike by Nikifor.
Nikifor scores with a jab.
Nikifor looks to score with a jab to the body but Endymion is just out of range.
Nikifor swings for the body but Endymion moves out of range.
Endymion staying out of range there.
A swing and a miss from Nikifor.
Nikifor scores with a jab to the body.
Jab, jab by Nikifor - just one landing.
Endymion tries a head kick but it misses.
Endymion pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nikifor misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Endymion throws an overhand right that lands on Nikifor's shoulder, as Nikifor tries to avoid the shot.
Nikifor looks to land a left hand but Endymion moved out of range nicely.
Nikifor moves away from the strike by Endymion.
Endymion might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nikifor throws a body punch but Endymion moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikifor takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Endymion with a nice cross.
Endymion has a takedown stuffed.
Nikifor misses with a jab, cross combination.
Endymion misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nikifor.
Nikifor dodges the punch combination from Endymion.
Endymion swings for the body but Nikifor moves out of range.
Endymion fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice jab there from Nikifor.
A big left from Endymion misses.
Nikifor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Endymion was well out of range. Poor timing from Nikifor.
Nikifor misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Endymion.

Endymion has closed the distance and engaged Nikifor in a clinch.
Nikifor tries to break free but Endymion pushes him back against the cage.
Nikifor throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Endymions head.
Nikifor is trying to break the clinch but Endymion has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Endymion is leaning against Nikifor and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nikifor.
A hook to the body from Endymion.
Nikifor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Endymion swings wildly with an uppercut but Nikifor uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikifor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Endymion has him pressed against the cage.
Endymion works on Nikifor's body with a couple of short punches.
Endymion lands a body shot in the clinch.
Endymion lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nikifor backwards.
Endymion lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Nikifor breaks from the clinch.
Endymion lands a jab to the nose.
Nikifor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Endymion showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nikifor.

Endymion scores a takedown into full mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Endymion is working for a guillotine from mount but Nikifor frees his head quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikifor tries to hold on but Endymion pushes him away.
Endymion fails to move to back control.
Endymion misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

Endymion is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Nikifor has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Nikifor!

Endymion throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nikifor is looking to work some ground and pound but Endymion has wrist control.
Endymion wants to sweep here but Nikifor controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nikifor decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Endymion waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nikifor.
Nikifor cracks Endymion with an open hand slap.
Nikifor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Endymion throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nikifor connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Endymion looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Endymion passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gavriil Endymion showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lev Nikifor's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nikifor stuffs the takedown.
Nikifor thows a body shot but no joy.
Endymion ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Endymion takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Endymion avoids the body shot from Nikifor.
Nikifor throws a body punch but Endymion moves out of range.
Endymion closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nikifor circles away.
Nikifor sizes up Endymion with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nikifor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nikifor punishes Endymion's body with a nice straight punch.
Nikifor swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Endymion.
Nikifor walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nikifor misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Endymion thows a left - swing and a miss!
Endymion avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikifor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nikifor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lev Nikifor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nikifor checks a leg kick nicely.
Nikifor takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Endymion throws a head kick that misses.
Nice straight punches there by Nikifor. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nikifor.

Endymion closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Endymion seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nikifor does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Endymion works his foot free and advances to mount.

Endymion is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Nikifor has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Endymion looking for a guillotine from mount but Nikifor is having none of it.

Endymion is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Nikifor to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Nikifor shrugs it off.
Endymion trying to control but Nikifor is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Endymion misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

Endymion swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Nikifor is now in Endymion's guard. A big mistake from Endymion there, giving up the dominant position!
Nikifor has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Endymion is proving hard to escape from.
Nikifor knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Endymion on the ground.
Nikifor preventing the sweep.

Nikifor gets to his feet - Endymion follows without any prompting.
Nikifor displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Endymion throws out the jab.
Endymion throws a hook but Nikifor blocks it.
Gavriil Endymion is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikifor throws a looping overhand right but Endymion ducks down to avoid it.
Nikifor lands a slapping body shot.
Endymion shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nikifor as he avoids it easily.
Lev Nikifor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gavriil Endymion.
Nikifor lands a with a good body shot.
Nikifor staying out of range there.
A jab from Nikifor misses.
Endymion connects with a single shot there.
Nikifor lands a two punch combo.
Endymion scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nikifor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nikifor misses the shot to the body.
Endymion cracks Nikifor with a good jab.
Nikifor tries to move into range but Endymion moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Endymion works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lev Nikifor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Endymion throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Endymion slips a straight right by Nikifor.

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 Lev Nikifor.
Well Endymion has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 28:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gavriil Endymion!