PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Art Nikisch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Memphis Klaspinowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Nikisch might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Skillet - Hero. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Nikisch
vs
Klaspinowski

198 cm
24
235 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

190 cm
24
225 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Global Nutritional - ACME - (Q157 for $50)

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Art Nikisch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Memphis Klaspinowski!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Klaspinowski lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

It looks like Art Nikisch has been cut.
Nikisch tries to clinch there but Klaspinowski circles away.
Klaspinowski misses with a body shot.
Nikisch tries to close the distance and clinch but Klaspinowski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nikisch slips under a jab from Klaspinowski.
Klaspinowski takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Klaspinowski throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nikisch is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nikisch tries to clinch there but Klaspinowski circles away.
Klaspinowski tries a head kick but it misses.
Nikisch tries to close the distance and clinch but Klaspinowski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Nikisch clinches.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the head but Klaspinowski blocks with his arms.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Klaspinowski avoids it.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but Klaspinowski blocks it.
Nikisch misses with a knee strike.
Klaspinowski goes for a takedown attempt but Nikisch pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Klaspinowski avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nikisch tries to clinch up.
Klaspinowski swats away the attempt to clinch by Nikisch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikisch tries to close the distance and clinch but Klaspinowski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Klaspinowski bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Nikisch! He dives into his guard looking to finish!
Klaspinowski stops Nikisch from standing up.
Klaspinowski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Klaspinowski stops Nikisch from standing up.
Klaspinowski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Klaspinowski works over Nikisch with some ground and pound from guard.

Art Nikisch's cut is getting worse.
Nikisch keeping moving, preventing Klaspinowski from controlling successfully.
Klaspinowski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nikisch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Klaspinowski working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nikisch's head.
Nikisch is looking to stand up but Klaspinowski isn't so interested in that idea.
Klaspinowski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nikisch. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Klaspinowski lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Klaspinowski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nikisch is keeping the position for now.
Klaspinowski scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Nikisch scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Klaspinowski walks into a jab.
Nikisch fails in his attempt to clinch.
Klaspinowski takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nikisch throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Klaspinowski's head.
Nikisch tries to clinch up.
A head kick from Nikisch lands but Klaspinowski takes it in his stride.
Nikisch throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Klaspinowski's head.

Klaspinowski closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Nikisch to the mat! Nikisch manages to get full guard.
Nikisch is breathing heavily.
Nikisch is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Klaspinowski is controlling him.
Klaspinowski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nikisch wants to stand up but Klaspinowski is controlling him.
Klaspinowski must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Klaspinowski with a nice head shot there.
Klaspinowski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Klaspinowski prevents Nikisch from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klaspinowski throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Klaspinowski passes Nikisch's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Nikisch manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Klaspinowski throws a looping overhand right but Nikisch ducks down to avoid it.
Klaspinowski looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nikisch tries to close the distance and clinch but Klaspinowski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Nikisch closes the distance and clinches.
Nikisch lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Klaspinowski tries to break the clinch but Nikisch is controlling the position.
Nikisch looking to throw knees to the head but Klaspinowski is blocking nicely.
Klaspinowski drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A knee to the head by Nikisch.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikisch looking to throw knees to the head but Klaspinowski is blocking nicely.
Nikisch is pressed up against the ropes. Klaspinowski has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nikisch down to the mat. Nikisch avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Art Nikisch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Memphis Klaspinowski.
Klaspinowski fails to land with a series of punches.
Nikisch tries to clinch there but Klaspinowski circles away.

Nikisch fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Klaspinowski, pushing him back against the ropes.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nikisch putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Klaspinowski in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Klaspinowski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Klaspinowski is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nikisch pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nikisch is pressed up against the ropes. Klaspinowski has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nikisch down to the mat. Nikisch avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Klaspinowski circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nikisch tries to close the distance and clinch but Klaspinowski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Klaspinowski closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nikisch is trying to stand back up but Klaspinowski is controlling him
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Klaspinowski drops an elbow to the side of Nikisch's head.
Nikisch is trying to stand back up but Klaspinowski is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Memphis Klaspinowski will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Art Nikisch's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Klaspinowski lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nikisch keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nikisch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nikisch throws a leg kick which misses Klaspinowski's front leg but catches the back leg as Klaspinowski tries to avoid it.
Klaspinowski scores with a three punch combo!
Klaspinowski misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nikisch wants to clinch up but Klaspinowski keeps it at a distance.
Klaspinowski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nikisch.
Nikisch wants to clinch up but Klaspinowski keeps it at a distance.
Nikisch doesn't manage to clinch there - Klaspinowski circles away.
A telegraphed right hand from Klaspinowski misses the target.
Nikisch connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Klaspinowski is breathing heavily.
Nikisch lands with a kick to the temple. Klaspinowski shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikisch tries to clinch up but Klaspinowski circles away and keeps his distance.
Klaspinowski keeps the fight on the outside.
Klaspinowski shoots in and drives through. Nikisch sprawls well.
Nikisch tries to close the distance and clinch up but Klaspinowski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nikisch tests Klaspinowski's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikisch looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Nikisch pushes Klaspinowski up against the ropes in a clinch.
Nikisch crunches a lovely knee into Klaspinowski's ribcage.
Nikisch scores with a knee to the head.
Nikisch misses with a knee strike.
Nikisch landing knees to the body.
Nikisch with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nikisch using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nikisch lands a knee to the head.
Nikisch with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but Klaspinowski blocks it.

Klaspinowski breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Klaspinowski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Nikisch has closed the distance and engaged Klaspinowski in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Klaspinowski's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nikisch lands a good knee to the midsection. Klaspinowski won't want to take too many of those.
Klaspinowski takes a knee right on the jaw!
Klaspinowski goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nikisch prevents it.
Art Nikisch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Memphis Klaspinowski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikisch throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Klaspinowski blocks it with crossed arms.
Nikisch with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nikisch looking to throw knees to the head but Klaspinowski is blocking nicely.
Nikisch prevents the takedown attempt.
Nikisch with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Klaspinowski is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Nikisch gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nikisch landing knees to the head.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Klaspinowski is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Nikisch gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Klaspinowski has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nikisch avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nikisch misses with a knee strike.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nikisch stops a takedown attempt from Klaspinowski.
A knee to the head by Nikisch.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the head but Klaspinowski blocks with his arms.
Nikisch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klaspinowski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nikisch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klaspinowski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Klaspinowski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nikisch gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nikisch lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikisch misses with a knee strike.
Nikisch throws a knee to the head but misses.
Klaspinowski goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nikisch prevents it.

Nikisch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Nikisch moves into the clinch.
Nikisch connects with a nasty looking knee right to Klaspinowski's face.
Klaspinowski has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nikisch avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nikisch with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nikisch crunches a lovely knee into Klaspinowski's ribcage.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the head but Klaspinowski blocks with his arms.
Klaspinowski managing to block the knees to the body from Nikisch.
Nikisch tries to break the clinch but Klaspinowski is controlling the position.
Nikisch stops a takedown attempt from Klaspinowski.
Klaspinowski takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nikisch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klaspinowski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Klaspinowski is trying to drag Nikisch to the mat but Nikisch just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.

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.
Nikisch throws a knee to the head but misses.

Klaspinowski gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Klaspinowski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nikisch wants to stand and escape but Klaspinowski is having none of it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Klaspinowski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Nikisch is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nikisch obliges.
Nikisch with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Klaspinowski wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nikisch throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Klaspinowski blocks it with crossed arms.
Nikisch is trying to break the clinch but Klaspinowski is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nikisch stops a takedown attempt from Klaspinowski.
A knee to the head by Nikisch.

Klaspinowski gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Nikisch is trying to stand up here but Klaspinowski is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Art Nikisch dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Art Nikisch's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nikisch is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Memphis Klaspinowski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice defenses there by Nikisch.
Klaspinowski fails to land the takedown.
Klaspinowski dives in and grabs Nikisch's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nikisch pushes down on Klaspinowski's head and hops out.
Nikisch with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikisch looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Danga de danga de dang - Nikisch scores with a four punch combination!

Nikisch clinches.
A knee to the head by Nikisch.
A knee to the head by Nikisch.
Nikisch with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nikisch working Klaspinowski over with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Nikisch is fighting off a takedown attempt but Klaspinowski is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Nikisch to the mat. Nikisch regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Klaspinowski prevents Nikisch from getting back to his feet.

Nikisch is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikisch lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nikisch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klaspinowski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Klaspinowski is working for takedown but Nikisch is calmly controlling the position for now.
Art Nikisch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Memphis Klaspinowski.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but Klaspinowski blocks it.
Klaspinowski is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Nikisch gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Klaspinowski looking for a takedown.
Nikisch with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nikisch misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Klaspinowski.
Klaspinowski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Klaspinowski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nikisch pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nikisch tries to clinch up.
Klaspinowski circles away from the clinch attempt.
Klaspinowski throws a lazy head kick
and Nikisch counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Klaspinowski avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Klaspinowski throws out a loose jab but Nikisch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikisch plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Nice cross by Klaspinowski.
Nikisch is looking to clinch but Klaspinowski is avoiding it.

Nikisch gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nikisch with a knee to the head.
Nikisch missing with knees to the body.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but Klaspinowski blocks it.
Nikisch is pressed up against the ropes. Klaspinowski has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nikisch down to the mat. Nikisch avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nikisch tries to close the distance and clinch up but Klaspinowski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Art Nikisch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Klaspinowski misses with a series of wild punches.
Nikisch tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nikisch connects with a high kick.
Art Nikisch is winning the standup battle so far.
Klaspinowski throws a shot from downtown. Nikisch moves away and avoids it.
Nikisch uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Klaspinowski.
Nikisch tries to clinch but Klaspinowski is having none of it.
A combination from Klaspinowski does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klaspinowski lands with a right hand.
Nikisch connects with a solid leg kick.
Klaspinowski takes one to the chin there.

Nikisch has closed the distance and engaged Klaspinowski in a clinch.
Knees to the body from Nikisch.
Nikisch lands a knee to the head.
Klaspinowski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nikisch pulls his leg out and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nikisch misses with a knee strike.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Klaspinowski is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Nikisch gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nikisch unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Klaspinowski gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Klaspinowski scoring with some ground and pound.
Klaspinowski prevents Nikisch from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klaspinowski scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Klaspinowski is working Nikisch over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Klaspinowski tries to free his leg and advance position but Nikisch is retaining full guard.
Klaspinowski won't allow Nikisch to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Klaspinowski keeps the fight on the outside.
Nikisch tries to clinch but Klaspinowski moves out of range.
Nikisch keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nikisch tries to close the distance and clinch up but Klaspinowski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nikisch tries to clinch up.

Nikisch rushes Klaspinowski and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Nikisch misses with a knee to the head.
Klaspinowski is trying to drag Nikisch to the mat but Nikisch just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Nikisch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Klaspinowski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Art Nikisch showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nikisch 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Art Nikisch!