PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Santana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Volya Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolaev is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Fever . Antonio Santana could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Volya Nikolaev's chin.

Santana
vs
Nikolaev

173 cm
20
158 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Santana!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Volya Nikolaev!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Ivan Kurochkin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nikolaev looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Santana seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Nikolaev looking to sit in guard and control but Santana gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Santana stopping the sweep attempt from Nikolaev.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikolaev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nikolaev pulls Santana in to control the position.
Nikolaev wants to sweep here but Santana controlling him for the moment.
Santana controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Antonio Santana wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A head kick misses from Santana.
Volya Nikolaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikolaev with a lazy takedown attempt

and Santana counters by moving into the clinch.
Santana taking a breather.
Nikolaev is looking for a takedown.
Santana with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nikolaev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Santana prevents it.
Antonio Santana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.
Nikolaev is trying to drag Santana to the mat but Santana just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Nikolaev is working for takedown but Santana is calmly controlling the position for now.
Santana gets underhooks to prevent Nikolaev's takedown attempt.
Santana has Nikolaev pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santana has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nikolaev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nikolaev fails to pull guard.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Santana tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nikolaev avoids it.
Santana using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nikolaev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Santana tries to land a knee to the head but Nikolaev blocks with his arms.
Santana lands a good knee to the midsection. Nikolaev won't want to take too many of those.
Santana tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nikolaev's elbow.
Nikolaev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Santana misses with a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santana tries to land a knee to the head but Nikolaev blocks with his arms.
Santana tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santana creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Santana lands an elbow inside that Nikolaev shrugs off.
Santana with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Santana lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nikolaev takes an elbow to the temple.

Nikolaev pulls guard successfully.
Nikolaev working a defensive guard here.
Santana wants to control from the top but Nikolaev keeps moving.
Nikolaev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nice strikes from Nikolaev there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Santana keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nikolaev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Santana with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santana trying to control from the bottom.
Nikolaev tries to pass to full mount but Santana defends it.
Nikolaev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nikolaev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santana tries to get to full guard but Nikolaev has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santana is staying active underneath Nikolaev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Volya Nikolaev dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nikolaev fails to land the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Santana. No joy for Nikolaev on that attempt.

Nikolaev scores with a takedown into Santana's guard.
Nikolaev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Santana has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Nikolaev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Santana's head.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Santana keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev being controlled here momentarily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nikolaev shoots in but Santana avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Antonio Santana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.
Nikolaev fails to land the takedown.
Santana swats away the attempt to clinch by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Santana defends it nicely.

Santana moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santana throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Santana trying to land knees to the body.
A right hand to the body from Santana.
Santana landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nikolaev tries to score a body lock takedown but Santana shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Santana throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nikolaev blocks it with crossed arms.
Santana misses with a knee strike.
Santana looking for a takedown.
Santana gets underhooks to prevent Nikolaev's takedown attempt.
Santana lands a nice elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikolaev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Santana pulls his leg out and moves away.

Santana closes the distance and pushes Nikolaev back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santana landing knees to the head.
Santana unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Santana with a knee to the head.
Santana works on Nikolaev's body with a couple of short punches.
Santana softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Santana is trying to stall.
Santana creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nikolaev's defenses.
Nikolaev jumps guard but Santana stands there with Nikolaev around his waist. Nikolaev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nikolaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santana looking to throw knees to the head but Nikolaev is blocking nicely.
Santana with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Santana is fighting off a takedown attempt but Nikolaev is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Santana to the mat. Santana regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Nikolaev slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santana looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nikolaev is one step ahead there.
Volya Nikolaev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nikolaev throwing strikes from guard but Santana blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santana doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
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 Antonio Santana will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nikolaev with a lazy takedown attempt

and Santana counters by clinching up.
Santana stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Santana tries to stall but Nikolaev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Santana just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nikolaev's brow.
Santana throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nikolaevs head.
Santana prevents a takedown attempt there.
Santana landing knees to the head.
Nikolaev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Santana avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Antonio Santana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Santana.
Santana will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Nikolaev up against the cage.
Nikolaev takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nikolaev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santana lands a nice elbow.
Santana just leaning against Nikolaev, taking a breather.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Santana.
Nikolaev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Santana lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Santana throws an elbow that misses.
Santana tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nikolaev blocks a body shot from Santana.
Santana slows down the pace here.
Santana gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nikolaev.
Santana makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santana is trying to stall.
Santana lands with a left to the head.
Santana lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Santana tries to stall but Nikolaev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nikolaev is working for takedown but Santana is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nikolaev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees to the body from Santana.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santana tries to land a knee to the head but Nikolaev blocks with his arms.
Santana has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nikolaev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Santana prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santana lands an elbow inside.
Santana tries to throw a body punch but Nikolaev avoids it by throwing Santana back against the cage.
Santana has Nikolaev pushed against the cage.
Santana lands an elbow just above Nikolaev 's eye.
Santana controlling the action here for a moment.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Santana.
Nikolaev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Santana gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Santana misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nikolaev.
Santana is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Santana.
Nikolaev has Santana pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Santana manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nikolaev is looking to take this one to the mat.
Santana prevents a takedown attempt there.
A short uppercut from Santana.
Nikolaev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Santana lands an elbow that stopped Nikolaev in his tracks for a moment.
Nikolaev letting Santana take a breather here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santana taking a breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Santana clearly takes that round.
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.

Nikolaev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Santana napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Santana regains half guard, as Nikolaev was trying to land strikes.
Nikolaev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nikolaev in particular looking to stall.
Santana keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Santana trying to control from the bottom.
Santana is not content to let Nikolaev control the position.
Nikolaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santana is doing well to control the position and prevent Nikolaev from advancing to side control.
Nikolaev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Santana defending well though.
Nikolaev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nikolaev drops an elbow to the side of Santana's head.
Santana trying to control here.

Nikolaev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Santana sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Santana is defending against the submission attempts here by Nikolaev.
Santana blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev throwing shots but Santana is blocking nicely.
Nikolaev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Santana trying to control from the bottom.
Nikolaev wants to control but Santana is keeping him busy.
Nikolaev scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Santana blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nikolaev.
Santana is trying to control but can't.
Nikolaev wants to take a breather but Santana is having none of it.
Nikolaev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Santana trying to control here.
Nikolaev working over Santana with some ground and pound. Santana looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Santana is trying to maintain the position but Nikolaev is very close to passing his half guard.
Santana avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nikolaev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev thows a huge punch but Santana dodges it nicely.
Nikolaev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Santana keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Santana on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nikolaev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Santana is trying to get back to full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santana is not content to let Nikolaev control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santana avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nikolaev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nikolaev is defended easily by Santana.
Santana misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nikolaev moves in looking to clinch but Santana pushes him off.
Santana lands a nice looking body kick.
Santana throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Santana connects with a high kick.
Nikolaev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Santana makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nikolaev is defended easily by Santana.
Antonio Santana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.
Santana slaps away a takedown attempt from Nikolaev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nikolaev is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santana clinches up against the cage.
Nikolaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Knees to the body from Santana.
Santana landing knees to the body.
Santana with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Santana lands a knee to the head.
Santana with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Santana avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev tries to score a body lock takedown but Santana shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The referee is keeping an eye on Santana - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Santana tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Santana landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santana misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nikolaev.
Santana is looking to control Nikolaev's arms but Nikolaev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Santana has his back to the cage.
Santana struggles to land a body shot inside as Nikolaev controls his hands.
Santana putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Nikolaev in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Santana is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Santana.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Santana just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nikolaev's brow.
Santana tries to stall but Nikolaev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Santana misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nikolaev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Santana to keep the fight standing.
Santana tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Santana misses with a knee to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Santana throws an elbow but misses.

Nikolaev drags the fight down to the ground.

Nikolaev has his foot on Santana's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Santana works his way back into a safe position though.
Nikolaev tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santana not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Nikolaev tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Santana stands up and waves to Nikolaev to follow him.
Santana cracks the inside of Nikolaev's front leg.
Santana tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Santana looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Nikolaev scores with a takedown into Santana's guard.
Nikolaev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Santana showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Santana has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 48:47
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Santana!
Antonio Santana retains his lightweight title!
A very excited looking Antonio Santana made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
The defeated Volya Nikolaev had this to say: 'I'll come back, I promise!'.