PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shael Connen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Nikolaev
vs
Connen

185 cm
20
196 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
21
201 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Knockout power

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Ultra Fight Gear

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Brute

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Nikolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Shael Connen!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Richard Clark and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Connen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Connen shoots for a takedown but Nikolaev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nikolaev lands with a nice body kick.
Nikolaev misses with a hook.
Nikolaev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ivan Nikolaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A right-left combo lands from Nikolaev.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Connen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikolaev.
That kick from Nikolaev tenderised Connen's leg. Connen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Connen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nikolaev is fending him off so far but Connen persists. Nope, Nikolaev circles away and we're back to standing.
Connen looks for a takedown but Nikolaev sprawls well.
Ivan Nikolaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shael Connen.

Nikolaev moves into the clinch successfully.
Connen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nikolaev after a bit of a struggle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for Nikolaev to work.
Nikolaev lands a right hand.
Connen tries to pull guard but Nikolaev won't allow it.
Nikolaev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Connen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nikolaev trying to land knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nikolaev.
Nice body punch from Nikolaev - that landed with a thud.
Connen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Connen jumps guard but Nikolaev stands there with Connen around his waist. Connen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nikolaev lands with a left to the head.
Nikolaev lands a nice uppercut.
Nikolaev misses with a knee to the head.
Nikolaev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Connen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nikolaev after a bit of a struggle.
A short left from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev scores with a hook to the body.

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!
Nikolaev pushes off an throws an elbow but Connen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nikolaev.

Connen is rocked!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nikolaev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Connen is still on wobbly legs! Can Nikolaev finish him?
Nikolaev creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Connen with a big uppercut! Connen tries to clinch up but Nikolaev pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Connen to the mat! Connen covers up and Nikolaev unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Ivan Nikolaev!
Ivan Nikolaev decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.