PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marvin Stanley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Volya Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolaev has chosen Fever as his entrance music. Marvin Stanley had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Stanley
vs
Nikolaev

179 cm
23
169 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

170 cm
21
165 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ice Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Marvin Stanley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Volya Nikolaev!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikolaev connects with a single shot there.
Nikolaev misses with the combination.
Stanley seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Volya Nikolaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikolaev scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nikolaev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stanley is looking to clinch but Nikolaev is avoiding it.
Nikolaev's coach down at St Petersburg MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Nikolaev's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Stanley keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nikolaev.
A punch combination from Nikolaev misses.
Nikolaev lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Stanley uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nikolaev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nikolaev throws an overhand right that lands on Stanley's shoulder, as Stanley tries to avoid the shot.
Nikolaev throws a series of punches but Stanley avoids them all with ease.
Nikolaev misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev misses with a two punch combination.
Stanley bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice takedown defense from Nikolaev. No joy for Stanley on that attempt.
Stanley ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nikolaev looks to land a combination but Stanley avoids it well.

Stanley instigates a clinch.

Nikolaev breaks the clinch.
Nikolaev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nikolaev throws a right and a left that Stanley avoids nicely.
Stanley moves out of range of the strikes.
Nikolaev throws a series of punches but Stanley avoids them all with ease.
Nikolaev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nikolaev tries to bum rush Stanley with a series of wild strikes but Stanley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nikolaev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stanley moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nikolaev looks to land a combination but Stanley avoids it well.
Nikolaev connects with a right hand. Stanley shakes it off.
Nikolaev throws a series of punches but Stanley moves out of range.
Volya Nikolaev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nikolaev throws a series of punches but Stanley moves out of range.
Nikolaev throws a series of punches but Stanley moves out of range.

Stanley scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Nikolaev wants to get back to full guard.

Stanley is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Stanley 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stanley is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Nikolaev is looking for a sweep. Stanley is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Stanley is working for a submission of some sort.
Nikolaev is looking to escape.
Nikolaev manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanley trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikolaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stanley tries to free his leg and advance position but Nikolaev is retaining full guard.
Stanley controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Stanley preventing the sweep.
Nikolaev is looking to stand up but Stanley isn't so interested in that idea.
Stanley passes Nikolaev's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikolaev is looking to improve his position.
Stanley trying to control the action but Nikolaev is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Volya Nikolaev dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nikolaev throws a series of punches but Stanley avoids them all with ease.
Nikolaev lands with a straight right. Stanley didn't see that one coming.
Nikolaev misses with a wild combination.
Nikolaev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stanley.
Stanley avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nikolaev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stanley dodges the punch combination from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev fails to land with a series of punches.
Nikolaev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Some wild striking there from Nikolaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev scores with a three punch combo!
Nikolaev misses with a wild combination.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stanley is defended easily by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev swinging wildly here.
Nikolaev clobbers Stanley with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nikolaev throws a series of punches but Stanley moves out of range.
Stanley showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev throws a series of punches but Stanley avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev fails to land with a series of punches.
Stanley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stanley avoids a punch combination nicely.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nikolaev.
Nikolaev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stanley circles away quickly and effectively.
Stanley tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nikolaev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nikolaev misses with a combination

and Stanley counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nikolaev won't be happy with that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikolaev is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Nikolaev is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev is not content to let Stanley control the position.
Nikolaev wants to control but Stanley postures up.
Stanley trying to control the position but Nikolaev is working away.

Stanley tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Nikolaev wants to control but Stanley postures up.

Stanley is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nikolaev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Nikolaev struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stanley is trying to get an arm triangle but Nikolaev is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Stanley is trying to get an arm triangle but Nikolaev is defending well.

Stanley is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nikolaev knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stanley trying to control the position but Nikolaev is working away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marvin Stanley overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Stanley is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Nikolaev has escaped the position, nice work there.
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 Marvin Stanley will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nikolaev lunges at Stanley with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Stanley's hand.
Stanley moves out of range of the strikes.
A big left from Nikolaev misses.
Stanley dodges the punch combination from Nikolaev.
Sloppy strikes from Nikolaev. Those never looked like landing.
Nikolaev might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nikolaev throws a series of strikes that have Stanley backpedaling.
A punch combination from Nikolaev misses.
A punch combination from Nikolaev misses.
Nikolaev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stanley.
Stanley keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nikolaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nikolaev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nikolaev tries to bum rush Stanley with a series of wild strikes but Stanley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nikolaev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stanley showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stanley circles away quickly and effectively.

Nikolaev tries to sprawl but Stanley drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Nikolaev wants to improve his position but Stanley is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Stanley is trying to work for a kimura but Nikolaev is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev wants to get back to full guard.
Stanley wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nikolaev keeps working.

Stanley is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Nikolaev wants to improve his position but Stanley is controlling well.
Stanley is looking to take a break and control but Nikolaev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nikolaev is concentrating on defense, preventing Stanley from advancing position.
Nikolaev tries to get to full guard but Stanley has control of the leg.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Nikolaev is defending against the submission attempts here by Stanley.

Stanley is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stanley 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.

Stanley is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nikolaev doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Stanley.
Nikolaev is controlling Stanley's trapped leg to prevent Stanley from advancing to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stanley is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nikolaev defends it well.
Nikolaev is trying to control but can't.
Nikolaev is in trouble now - Stanley has advanced to mount!
Nikolaev is desperately trying to improve his position but Stanley has a good base and remains in mount.

Stanley with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nikolaev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Marvin Stanley.
I think Stanley 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Volya Nikolaev!
Volya Nikolaev seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.