PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Nikolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ragnar SvenSoleson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying SvenSoleson's choice of entrance music: If I had a heart. Ivan Nikolov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ragnar SvenSoleson's chin.

Nikolov
vs
SvenSoleson

194 cm
20
215 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

187 cm
20
220 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Nikolov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ragnar SvenSoleson!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
SvenSoleson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nikolov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Nikolov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Nikolov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Nikolov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

SvenSoleson throws Nikolov to one side and escapes!
SvenSoleson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nikolov shoots in looking for a takedown. SvenSoleson tries to sprawl out of it but Nikolov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. SvenSoleson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikolov tries to clinch up but SvenSoleson circles away and keeps his distance.
Nikolov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as SvenSoleson throws out the jab.
SvenSoleson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nikolov tries for a takedown but SvenSoleson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Nikolov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikolov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts SvenSoleson as he jumps to the side.
SvenSoleson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but SvenSoleson defends well and Nikolov ends up having to push SvenSoleson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nikolov tries for a takedown but SvenSoleson manages to get underhooks.

SvenSoleson breaks from the clinch.
Nikolov dives in for a single leg takedown but SvenSoleson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
SvenSoleson is trying to break the clinch but Nikolov is controlling him.

SvenSoleson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ragnar SvenSoleson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
SvenSoleson misses with a head kick.
SvenSoleson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nikolov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
SvenSoleson misses with a body kick.
Nice uppercut there from SvenSoleson.
SvenSoleson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Donk. SvenSoleson catches Nikolov right on the button with a cross.
A head kick misses from SvenSoleson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
SvenSoleson lands with a nice body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nikolov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with SvenSoleson, pushing him back against the cage.

SvenSoleson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
SvenSoleson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nikolov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
SvenSoleson connects with a leg kick. Nikolov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ragnar SvenSoleson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nikolov misses with a two punch combination.
Nikolov dives in and grabs SvenSoleson's left leg, looking for a takedown. SvenSoleson pushes down on Nikolov's head and hops out.
Nikolov is breathing heavily.

SvenSoleson knocks Nikolov to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?

Nikolov is rocked!

It looks like Ivan Nikolov has been cut.
SvenSoleson throws an elbow but Nikolov slips to the side and avoids it well.
Oh Nikolov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikolov is being controlled here.
Nikolov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Nikolov wants to control but SvenSoleson postures up.
Nikolov seems to have got his legs back now.
SvenSoleson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
An elbow from SvenSoleson crashes against the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
SvenSoleson working the head and body with strikes.
Nikolov tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but SvenSoleson presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
SvenSoleson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
SvenSoleson wants to control but Nikolov has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
SvenSoleson trying to control the action but Nikolov is working from the bottom.
Nikolov tries to roll over but SvenSoleson keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
SvenSoleson trying to control the action but Nikolov is working from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nikolov trying to control but SvenSoleson postures up.
SvenSoleson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nikolov defending well though.
SvenSoleson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nikolov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ground and pound from SvenSoleson.
Nikolov trying to control from the bottom.
SvenSoleson throws a strike but Nikolov avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ragnar SvenSoleson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Nikolov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nikolov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but SvenSoleson swivels and escapes.
SvenSoleson cracks Nikolov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ivan Nikolov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
SvenSoleson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
SvenSoleson misses with an attempted mid kick.
SvenSoleson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nikolov.
Nikolov shoots in for a takedown but SvenSoleson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Nikolov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nikolov darts in and clinches SvenSoleson up against the cage.
Nikolov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by SvenSoleson after a bit of a struggle.
SvenSoleson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nikolov blocks it with crossed arms.

SvenSoleson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nikolov tries to land a front kick but SvenSoleson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

SvenSoleson lands a left and a right that sends Nikolov crashing to the canvas! SvenSoleson dives into mount looking to finish!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
SvenSoleson avoids the attempt from Nikolov to control.
SvenSoleson scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Nikolov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nikolov tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by SvenSoleson.
SvenSoleson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
SvenSoleson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

SvenSoleson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Nikolov is on top in guard.
Ragnar SvenSoleson has got the better of the ground game so far.

SvenSoleson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nikolov defends it easily.
Nikolov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
SvenSoleson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nikolov keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Nikolov trying to control from the bottom.
SvenSoleson tries to stand and escape but Nikolov is controlling the position.
SvenSoleson is trying to control. Nikolov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
SvenSoleson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
SvenSoleson cracks Nikolov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

SvenSoleson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Nikolov is on top in guard.
SvenSoleson is looking to stand up but Nikolov isn't so interested in that idea.
Nikolov with a nice head shot there.
Nikolov preventing the sweep.
Nikolov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nikolov throws a big right hand that misses.

SvenSoleson is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Nikolov presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
SvenSoleson is trying to break the clinch but Nikolov has him pressed against the cage.
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!

SvenSoleson breaks the clinch.
Nikolov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A punch combination from SvenSoleson misses.
SvenSoleson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
SvenSoleson tries a head kick but it misses.
Nikolov throws a head kick but SvenSoleson moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nikolov has a takedown stuffed.
Nikolov fails with a takedown attempt.
SvenSoleson has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Nikolov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
SvenSoleson throws a series of punches but Nikolov avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ragnar SvenSoleson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ivan Nikolov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nikolov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from SvenSoleson.
Nikolov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
SvenSoleson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and SvenSoleson wants it to stay on the feet.
SvenSoleson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nikolov.
SvenSoleson works Nikolov's body with a nice hook.
A decent looking cross lands there for SvenSoleson.
Nikolov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and SvenSoleson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Nikolov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
SvenSoleson rushes Nikolov with punches - Nikolov moves straight backwards instead of circling and gets clipped by the second strike... and the third... and the fourth! Oh, Nikolov goes down! SvenSoleson follows up with more strikes and the ref steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ragnar SvenSoleson!
Ragnar SvenSoleson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.