PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andre De La Rosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Nichols (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the ring it seems that Andre De La Rosa has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Andre De La Rosa seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

De La Rosa
vs
Nichols

190 cm
30
190 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

186 cm
25
190 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andre De La Rosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Nichols!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nichols throws a shot from downtown. De La Rosa moves away and avoids it.
De La Rosa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
De La Rosa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
De La Rosa moves to clinch but Nichols breaks away
and Nichols counters with a big head kick but De La Rosa shrugs it off.
Andre De La Rosa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nichols works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nichols pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nichols ducks down and throws a hook to the body but De La Rosa moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - De La Rosa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nichols scores with a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - De La Rosa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nichols misses with the combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De La Rosa doesn't manage to clinch there - Nichols circles away.
De La Rosa tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Nichols counters with a leg kick.
De La Rosa pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Nichols.
De La Rosa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nichols circles away quickly and effectively.
Nichols jabs at De La Rosa's body.
Nichols tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and De La Rosa is able to avoid easily.
De La Rosa has a takedown stuffed.
De La Rosa is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nichols.

It looks like Andre De La Rosa has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De La Rosa tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Nichols manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nichols misses with a few strikes there.
De La Rosa misses with the combination.
De La Rosa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
De La Rosa wants to clinch
and Nichols counters with a flying knee. Nice.
De La Rosa scores with the left hand. Nichols knows he should have avoided that one.
Nice sprawl there from Nichols as De La Rosa shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre De La Rosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nichols pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nichols misses with a few strikes there.
Donk. De La Rosa catches Nichols right on the button with a cross.
A slapping body kick lands there for Nichols.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from De La Rosa.
Nichols throws a wild body kick that De La Rosa sees coming a mile off.
Nichols throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
De La Rosa tries to clinch there but Nichols circles away.
De La Rosa shoots in but no luck this time.
Nichols throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nichols misses with the combination.
No luck for De La Rosa with that takedown attempt.
Nichols misses with a head kick.
De La Rosa wants to clinch
and Nichols counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De La Rosa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nichols works the jab nicely.
A head kick misses from Nichols.
De La Rosa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nichols at a distance.
Nichols leaves De La Rosa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
De La Rosa misses with the combination.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for De La Rosa. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
De La Rosa tries to clinch up
letting Nichols counter with a right hand.
De La Rosa slips a jab from Nichols.
Nichols leaves De La Rosa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
De La Rosa ducks under a wild hook from Nichols.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Nichols.

De La Rosa takes the fight into the clinch.
Nichols prevents a takedown attempt there.
De La Rosa fails to pull guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Nichols manages to break the clinch.
De La Rosa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
De La Rosa takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
De La Rosa staying out of range there.
Nichols blocks a head kick by De La Rosa.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
De La Rosa takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Nichols lands a straight punch to the body, keeping De La Rosa at a distance.
Nichols goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
De La Rosa closes the distance looking to clinch
and Nichols counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Nichols dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Andre De La Rosa's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

De La Rosa moves into range and clinches up with Nichols.
Nichols works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nichols misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nichols misses with some punches.
Nichols scores with a shot to the side of De La Rosa's head.
Good body shot from Nichols.

Nichols manages to break the clinch.
De La Rosa tries to clinch up.
De La Rosa slips a straight right by Nichols.
Nichols stuns De La Rosa with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
De La Rosa fails to land with a series of punches.
De La Rosa thows a body shot but no joy.
Nichols scores with a leg kick.
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!
De La Rosa wants to clinch but Nichols slips to the side
and Nichols counters with a head kick.
Chris Nichols seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nichols throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
De La Rosa slips a straight right by Nichols.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nichols. De La Rosa does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De La Rosa has a takedown stuffed.
Nichols swats away the attempt to clinch by De La Rosa.
De La Rosa tries to clinch up
enabling Nichols to counter with a crisp jab.
Nichols pulls out of a head kick attempt.
De La Rosa moves to clinch but Nichols breaks away
and Nichols counters with a straight right hand.
De La Rosa tries to clinch up.
De La Rosa wants to clinch
and Nichols counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps De La Rosa thinking.
De La Rosa throws a right and a left that Nichols avoids nicely.
Nichols lands a nice looking body shot.
Nichols throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nichols scores with the left hand. De La Rosa knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nichols fails to land with a series of punches.
Andre De La Rosa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
De La Rosa blocks a head kick by Nichols.
De La Rosa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nichols.
Nichols tries a head kick but it misses.
De La Rosa drops his hands momentarily and Nichols takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
De La Rosa tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Nichols counters with a nice leg kick.
De La Rosa moves in looking to clinch but Nichols pushes him off.
De La Rosa falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Nichols to counter with a crisp jab.
Nichols has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nichols circles away from the clinch attempt.
De La Rosa darts in trying to clinch
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and Nichols counters with a nice leg kick.
Nichols tries to move into range but De La Rosa moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
De La Rosa darts in trying to clinch
and Nichols counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. De La Rosa is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nichols fakes the leg kick and cracks De La Rosa in the body.
De La Rosa tries to clinch there but Nichols circles away.
De La Rosa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nichols throws out the jab.
De La Rosa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nichols.
A good leg kick by Nichols.
Nichols stuffs the takedown.
De La Rosa tries to clinch up but Nichols circles away and keeps his distance.
De La Rosa tries to clinch but Nichols moves out of range.
De La Rosa looks to clinch
and Nichols counters with a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nichols.

De La Rosa tries to keep at a distance but Nichols has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nichols doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Nichols breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nichols circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nichols lands with a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - De La Rosa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nichols throws a sloppy head kick and De La Rosa moves out of range easily.
De La Rosa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nichols lands a head kick. De La Rosa smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Nichols throws a quick inside leg kick.
De La Rosa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nichols.
De La Rosa ducks under a wild hook from Nichols.
De La Rosa moves in looking to clinch but Nichols pushes him off.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nichols swats away the attempt to clinch by De La Rosa.
De La Rosa takes one to the side of the head.

De La Rosa takes the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Nichols showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andre De La Rosa's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A combination from De La Rosa does no damage.
De La Rosa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nichols is looking to land body kicks.
Nichols scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
De La Rosa takes a head kick and keeps coming.
De La Rosa tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
De La Rosa tries to close the distance and clinch but Nichols swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
De La Rosa moves to clinch but Nichols breaks away
and Nichols makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. De La Rosa really felt that one!
De La Rosa tries to clinch there but Nichols circles away.
De La Rosa is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nichols lands with a cross.
Nichols tests De La Rosa's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

De La Rosa looking to score a takedown here. Nichols is defending well but De La Rosa drives through and ends up in Nichols's guard.

Nichols looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
De La Rosa content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nichols keeping moving, preventing De La Rosa from controlling successfully.
De La Rosa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Nichols's guard.
De La Rosa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Nichols is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. De La Rosa is aware though and is defending well.
De La Rosa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

De La Rosa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nichols keeping moving, preventing De La Rosa from controlling successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De La Rosa passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nichols is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but De La Rosa pulls his head out easily.
Nichols is trying to control but can't.
De La Rosa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nichols flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nichols is looking to improve his position.
Nichols wants to control but De La Rosa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
De La Rosa works his way into side control.
Nichols sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Nichols on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nichols moves into full guard.

Nichols throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nichols trying to keep a closed guard but De La Rosa is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De La Rosa tries to free his leg and advance position but Nichols is retaining full guard.

Nichols looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Nichols looking for a guillotine here but De La Rosa defends easily.

Nichols is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. De La Rosa is aware though and is defending well.
De La Rosa wants to pass the guard but Nichols is keeping the position.
De La Rosa postures up in Nichols's guard and throws a big left but Nichols blocks it.

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

Nichols is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De La Rosa advances position into side control!
You can see the frustration on Nichols's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

De La Rosa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nichols knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

De La Rosa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nichols is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nichols is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on De La Rosa's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Nichols comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nichols 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Nichols!
After winning the bout, Chris Nichols thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.