PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Palmer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vladimir Nikolaev has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Joe Palmer's chin.

Palmer
vs
Nikolaev

190 cm
22
192 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

179 cm
23
190 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

TWGC Champion
Counter fighter
Determined

Dragon
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joe Palmer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Nikolaev!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Franklyn Lucas and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palmer throws a combination that misses

and Nikolaev counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Palmer wants to get back to his feet.

Nikolaev seems to be looking for submissions.
Nikolaev lands strikes from half guard.

Nikolaev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nikolaev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Nikolaev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Palmer sees it coming and defends easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Nikolaev seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nikolaev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nikolaev seems to be working for a kimura but Palmer defends the submission attempt.
Palmer is trying to stand up here but Nikolaev is controlling him well.
Nikolaev wants to pass the guard but Palmer is defending well.
Palmer tries to kick Nikolaev off but Nikolaev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Nikolaev is working for a submission of some sort.
Nikolaev trying to mount his opponent but Palmer defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Palmer is looking to escape.

Nikolaev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Nikolaev is looking for a kimura but Palmer is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Nikolaev to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Palmer is looking to escape.
Palmer tries to kick Nikolaev off in order to stand up. Nikolaev Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

Nikolaev tries for a kimura but Palmer is defending well.
Palmer is trying to buck Nikolaev off.

Nikolaev looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Palmer wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaev is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Palmer is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Nikolaev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Nikolaev is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Palmer is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Palmer is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Nikolaev is controlling him well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Nikolaev tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nikolaev has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Nikolaev trying to control the action but Palmer is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Nikolaev dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Palmer connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nikolaev. Nikolaev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Palmer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Palmer scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nikolaev drops his hands momentarily and Palmer takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The fighters circling - Palmer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Palmer scores with a sloppy right hand. Nikolaev should have avoided that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikolaev has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Nikolaev there as he acknowledges the shot.

Nikolaev is rocked!
A jab from Palmer does it's job there.
Nikolaev is still on wobbly legs! Can Palmer finish him?
Palmer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nikolaev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Palmer ducks down into range and throws a picture perfect right hook that connects with Nikolaev's jaw. Nikolaev's eyes stare off into space as he falls to the mat, out cold! Palmer does the decent thing and steps back, rather than landing any shots to his unconscious opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Joe Palmer!
A relieved looking Joe Palmer thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.