PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Luther Pope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalash Nikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pope kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is No Sunshine. Nikov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Konala Cartelli - Jep Jep Joo ( feat. Solonen ) . Luther Pope had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Pope
vs
Nikov

172 cm
28
157 lbs
23 - 11 - 2

174 cm
24
158 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Luther Pope!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kalash Nikov!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Roger Salmon and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body punch from Pope.
Nikov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A good leg kick by Pope.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pope lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Nikov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Nikov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Pope throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nikov throws a sloppy head kick and Pope moves out of range easily.
Nikov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pope tries to avoid it but Nikov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pope to the ground. Pope escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pope misses with a low kick.
Pope throws the left hand but Nikov avoids the punch easily.
Pope throws a leg kick but Nikov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nikov tries to clinch up but Pope circles away and keeps his distance.

Nikov forces Pope back against the cage and clinches.
Nikov blocks a body shot from Pope.
Nikov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pope avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pope working aggressively here.
Nikov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Luther Pope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalash Nikov.
Good body shot from Pope.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikov prevents a body shot from Pope.
Pope misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pope is defending well for now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pope.
Pope lands a left hand.
Pope misses with a punch to the body.
Pope trying to stall but Nikov improves his position.
Nikov tries a knee to the head but Pope blocks it.
Nikov is trying to push Pope away but Pope has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Pope misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pope tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nikov's elbow.
Nikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nikov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Pope misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pope lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pope lands a left hand.
Nikov prevents a body shot from Pope.
Nikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A left hand lands to the body for Pope.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pope lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nikov backwards.
Pope throws a punch but it's blocked by Nikov.
Pope fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pope goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pope lands with a right to the head.
Still in the clinch, Pope scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nikov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Pope has a couple of punches blocked by Nikov.
Pope takes a knee to the side of the body.
Pope misses with the head strike.
Nikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pope doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pope working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nikov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Pope lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikov crunches a lovely knee into Pope's ribcage.
Pope digs a right hand into Nikov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nikov's gas tank.
Nikov tries to stall but Pope uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nikov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pope is defending well.
Pope misses with a body punch.
Nikov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Pope struggles to land a body shot inside as Nikov controls his hands.
Pope lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nikov is looking for a takedown.

Nikov manages to break the clinch.
Pope ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pope scoring well with a low kick there.
Nikov lands a high kick!
Pope lands a right hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pope throws a looping overhand right but Nikov ducks down to avoid it.
Nikov checks a low kick from Pope.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikov shoots in looking for a takedown. Pope tries to sprawl out of it but Nikov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pope manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikov lands a front kick.
A slow jab from Pope misses its intended target.
Pope throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nikov slips a jab from Pope.
Nikov keeps the fight on the outside.
Nikov is looking to clinch but Pope is avoiding it.
Pope throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nikov.
Luther Pope is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pope misses with a low kick.
Pope throws a shot from downtown. Nikov moves away and avoids it.
Pope lets loose with a powerful body kick. Nikov will feel that in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luther Pope dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Nikov.
Nikov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nikov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Pope takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nikov takes one on the button.
Pope slaps away a takedown attempt from Nikov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pope throws a hook but Nikov blocks it.
Nikov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Pope pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nikov is out of range and Pope settles back down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nikov.
Pope lands a slapping body shot.
Good work by Nikov as he checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikov wants to clinch but Pope slips to the side
letting Pope counter with a right hand.
Pope throws a series of punches but Nikov avoids them all with ease.
Pope thuds a left hand into Nikov's body.
Nikov throws a sloppy head kick
and Pope counters with a straight right hand.
Nikov walks into a stiff left hand from Pope.
Pope misses with a straight right.
Pope misses the body punch
and Nikov counters with a big head kick but Pope shrugs it off.
Nikov misses with a low kick.
Nikov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A head kick by Nikov misses
letting Pope counter with a right hand.

Nikov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Pope was covering up waiting for the punch and Nikov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pope has a closed guard, preventing Nikov from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pope keeping full guard, as Nikov tries to pass.
Nikov wants to get up but he can't break Pope's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Pope uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Pope slips under a jab.
Kalash Nikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pope throws a hook but Nikov blocks it.
Nikov scores with a kick to the midsection.
Pope throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pope swats away the attempt to clinch by Nikov.
Nikov throws a push kick but Pope slaps the foot to one side.
Pope walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Pope catches Nikov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kalash Nikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pope fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nikov is out of range.
Nikov misses with a leg kick
and Pope counters with a leg kick.

Nikov closes the distance and clinches.
Pope tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nikov's elbow.
Nikov misses with a punch to the body.
Pope lands a shoulder strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Pope tries to work over Nikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nikov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Pope tries a body shot but Nikov blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pope is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nikov is keeping busy.
Nikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Pope avoids the damage to the body.
Nikov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nikov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikov can't find room to land a body shot as Pope controls the action.
Nikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pope doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nikov landing knees to the body.
Pope misses with a punch on the inside.
Pope misses with the head strike.
Nikov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pope smiles and moves away.
Nikov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikov throws a head kick but Pope moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kalash Nikov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Nikov lands with a thumping leg kick.

Pope gets tackled into the cage by Nikov. Nikov maintains the clinch.
Nikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pope scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Pope makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Pope goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nikov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nikov digs a right hand into Pope's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Pope's gas tank.
Pope can't find room to land a body shot as Nikov controls the action.
Nikov blocks an uppercut.
Nikov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nikov tries a knee to the head but Pope blocks it.
Nikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pope is defending well for now.
Nikov wants to stall.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nikov.
Nikov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pope has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikov lands a good knee to the midsection. Pope won't want to take too many of those.

Nikov breaks the clinch.
Nikov shoots in looking for a takedown. Pope tries to sprawl out of it but Nikov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pope manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nikov avoids the body shot from Pope.
Pope throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nikov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Pope misses with a looping right.
Pope blocks a jab.
Pope fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nikov throws the kick towards the body but Pope avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Nikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nikov clobbers Pope with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Luther Pope is winning the standup battle so far.
Nikov misses with a kick to the body.
Nikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pope. Nikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pope misses with a series of wild punches.
Nikov delivers a nice body kick.
Pope's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nikov under the eye.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pope throws a solid leg kick but Nikov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Pope.
Nikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pope misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nikov is looking to land body kicks.
Pope tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nikov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nikov throws a lazy head kick
and Pope counters with a nice uppercut.
Nikov wants to clinch up but Pope keeps it at a distance.
Pope attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Good work by Pope as he checks the leg kick.
Pope jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Pope uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Pope scores with a head kick.
Pope swats away the attempt to clinch by Nikov.
Nikov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikov tries to clinch up but Pope circles away and keeps his distance.
Pope throws a hook but Nikov blocks it.
Pope keeps the fight on the outside.
Nikov throws a leg kick but Pope sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Pope connects with a right hand. Nikov shakes it off.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pope.
Nikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nikov shoots for a takedown but Pope saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Luther Pope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalash Nikov.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nikov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nikov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Pope.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kalash Nikov.
I think Nikov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kalash Nikov!
During a confident post fight interview, Kalash Nikov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.