PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Zambidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dennis Nilsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nilsson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Zukyun Love by Mini Moni. 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.

Zambidis
vs
Nilsson

175 cm
22
193 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

195 cm
28
190 lbs
10 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Asphyxiation Ltd. (CBK)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike Zambidis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Dennis Nilsson!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nilsson blocks a head kick by Zambidis.
Zambidis misses with a double jab

and Nilsson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zambidis's guard now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zambidis managing to control the position.
Nilsson is looking to work some ground and pound but Zambidis has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zambidis manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Nilsson working to try and regain half guard.
Zambidis takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Nilsson is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zambidis is trying to control here but Nilsson has managed to regain half guard.
Nilsson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Zambidis showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Zambidis has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Zambidis has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Nilsson working for a triangle but Zambidis defends it easily.

Zambidis avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Zambidis looking to sit in guard and control but Nilsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Zambidis is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nilsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zambidis is keeping the position for now.

Nilsson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nilsson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zambidis trying to keep a closed guard but Nilsson is proving a slippery customer.
Zambidis looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nilsson looking to pass the guard.

Nilsson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nilsson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zambidis keeping full guard, as Nilsson tries to pass.
Nilsson slips nicely into half guard.
Zambidis won't allow Nilsson to pass to mount.
Nilsson is nestled in close to Zambidis, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Nilsson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Zambidis moves into full guard.
Nilsson landing with the ground and pound.
Nilsson tries to free his leg and advance position but Zambidis is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis is trying to control the position but Nilsson postures up.
Nilsson passes into half guard.
Zambidis is trying to control but can't.

Nilsson is working for a kimura but Zambidis is defending it quite comfortably.
Zambidis wants to control but Nilsson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nilsson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zambidis is looking to control Nilsson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zambidis avoid being mounted?
Nilsson is looking to advance position but Zambidis won't allow it.
Zambidis trying to control but Nilsson postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nilsson slips a jab and a cross from Zambidis.
Zambidis slips a jab and a cross from Nilsson.
Nilsson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Nilsson duly obliges.
Nilsson throws a solid leg kick but Zambidis takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nilsson.
Nilsson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Zambidis closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zambidis lands in his opponent's guard.
Zambidis trying to control but Nilsson is working from the bottom.
Nilsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Nilsson, not yet.
Zambidis trying to control the position from guard on top but Nilsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nilsson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zambidis's guard.
Zambidis working a defensive guard here.
Zambidis looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Mike Zambidis.
Zambidis misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nilsson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zambidis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nilsson somewhat.
An inside leg kick lands from Nilsson.
Zambidis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zambidis lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nilsson enables Zambidis to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nilsson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Zambidis sitting in guard here, content to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Nilsson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zambidis defends well.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nilsson is on top in guard.
Nilsson postures up.
Nilsson won't allow Zambidis to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis is trying to keep Nilsson in close.
Nilsson wants to pass the guard but Zambidis is keeping the position.
Zambidis has Nilsson pulled in close to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mike Zambidis wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A head kick misses from Zambidis.
Mike Zambidis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zambidis throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Nilsson counters with a one-two to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nilsson fails with the takedown.
Zambidis throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nilsson shoots in looking for a takedown. Zambidis tries to sprawl out of it but Nilsson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zambidis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mike Zambidis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dennis Nilsson.
Zambidis closes the distance but Nilsson moves to the side
and Nilsson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Zambidis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Zambidis wants to pass the guard but Nilsson is keeping the position.
Nilsson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zambidis is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis trying to control the position from guard on top but Nilsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Nilsson has his foot on Zambidis's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zambidis works his way back into a safe position though.
Dennis Nilsson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nilsson looking to control.
Zambidis wants to pass the guard but Nilsson is keeping the position.
Zambidis preventing the sweep.

Nilsson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zambidis is aware though and is defending well.
Nilsson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zambidis showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nilsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zambidis is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Nilsson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zambidis gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Nilsson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zambidis trying to control but Nilsson is working from the bottom.

Nilsson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zambidis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zambidis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nilsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zambidis advances position into side control!
Zambidis is looking to take a break and control but Nilsson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nilsson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mike Zambidis will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zambidis throws a combination that misses
and Nilsson counters with a left to the body.
Nilsson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nilsson misses with a double jab.
Nilsson misses with a double jab.
Zambidis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nilsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nilsson dives in and grabs Zambidis's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zambidis pushes down on Nilsson's head and hops out.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nilsson scores with a leg kick.
Zambidis tries to clinch but Nilsson moves out of range.
Nilsson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zambidis sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mike Zambidis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dennis Nilsson.
Zambidis misses with a head kick.
Nilsson moves away from the strike by Zambidis.
Zambidis throws a shot to the body.
A head kick from Zambidis lands but Nilsson takes it in his stride.

It looks like Dennis Nilsson has been cut.
Zambidis moves out of range as Nilsson strikes.

Zambidis scores with a takedown into Nilsson's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zambidis engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zambidis pushing down on Nilsson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zambidis wants to take a breather but Nilsson is having none of it.
Zambidis performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Zambidis trying to control from half guard but Nilsson is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Mike Zambidis.
Nilsson shoots for a double leg takedown but Zambidis sprawls well. He's pushed Nilsson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sloppy strikes from Zambidis. Those never looked like landing.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nilsson.
Zambidis misses with a left hand

and Nilsson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zambidis's guard now.

Nilsson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zambidis trying to keep a closed guard but Nilsson is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nilsson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Nilsson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Zambidis's legs.
Zambidis sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Nilsson passes to full mount!

Zambidis defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Nilsson.
Nilsson landing shots from mount.
Zambidis really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Nilsson is working for a guillotine from mount but Zambidis frees his head quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis is wriggling around trying to escape.
Zambidis wants to hold on but Nilsson pushes him away.
Zambidis slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Zambidis holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Zambidis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nilsson is pressing down on Zambidis's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zambidis is holding on for now.
Zambidis controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Nilsson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zambidis manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Zambidis keeping full guard, as Nilsson tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nilsson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

We're going to have a standup here because Mike Zambidis wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Zambidis is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Nilsson's half guard.
Nilsson wants to get back to full guard.
Nilsson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Nilsson is staying active underneath Zambidis, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zambidis is thwarting Nilsson's attempts to control the position.
Nilsson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Zambidis kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Nilsson tries to roll over but Zambidis keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Zambidis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zambidis has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Zambidis!