PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicholas Ares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikola Veljanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nicholas Ares has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ares
vs
Veljanovski

190 cm
17
282 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

182 cm
25
234 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Nicholas Ares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikola Veljanovski!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Veljanovski throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Veljanovski drives through and clinches with Ares against the cage.
Veljanovski avoids a wild elbow strike from Ares.
Veljanovski is trying to break the clinch but Ares has him pressed against the cage.

Ares gets control of Veljanovski's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ares will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Veljanovski wants to stand but Ares is controlling his posture from full guard.
Ares doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Veljanovski won't allow Ares to sweep him here.
Ares is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ares tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Veljanovski postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ares wants to clinch.

Veljanovski moves into the clinch successfully.
Ares wants to take the fight to the mat but Veljanovski manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Veljanovski looking to stall.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Veljanovski throws a shot from downtown. Ares moves away and avoids it.
Ares doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Veljanovski counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Ares!
Ares tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski wants to stand but Ares is controlling his arm.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Veljanovski stands up and beckons Ares to his feet.
Ares tries for a takedown but Veljanovski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicholas Ares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ares tries to clinch but Veljanovski is having none of it.
Ares uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Veljanovski.
Veljanovski looks to score with a jab to the body but Ares is just out of range.

Veljanovski closes the distance and pushes Ares back into the cage.
Ares misses with a hook from the clinch.
Veljanovski blocks a body shot from Ares.
Veljanovski taking a breather.
Veljanovski can't break the clinch.
Ares tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski managing to block the knees to the body from Ares.
Ares makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ares definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Veljanovski tries a body shot but Ares blocks it.
Veljanovski swings wildly with an uppercut but Ares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Veljanovski tries a body shot but Ares blocks it.
Veljanovski swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ares lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ares missing with knees to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Veljanovski.
Ares swings wildly with an uppercut but Veljanovski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ares tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ares blocks an uppercut.
Veljanovski slows down the pace here.
Veljanovski is looking to control Ares's arms but Ares gets an underhook and turns him. Now Veljanovski has his back to the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ares struggles to land a body shot inside as Veljanovski controls his hands.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Veljanovski managing to block the knees to the body from Ares.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Veljanovski on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Veljanovski lands with a short shot to the head.
Veljanovski misses with a punch on the inside.
Veljanovski tries to break free but Ares pushes him back against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Veljanovski.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veljanovski avoids the elbow strike from Ares, against the cage.
Ares missing with knees to the body.
Ares taking a breather.
Nice elbow from Ares.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Veljanovski dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ares tries to close the distance and clinch up but Veljanovski swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Veljanovski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ares, pushing him back against the cage.
Veljanovski tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ares's elbow.
Nikola Veljanovski seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ares is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ares lands a hook to the side of the head.
Veljanovski is trying to break the clinch but Ares is controlling him.
Veljanovski has Ares pressed against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Veljanovski.
Ares fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Veljanovski struggles to land a body shot inside as Ares controls his hands.
Ares prevents Veljanovski from breaking the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ares looking to slow down the pace here.
Veljanovski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ares misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ares throws an elbow but it misses.
Ares tries to land a knee to the head but Veljanovski blocks with his arms.
Veljanovski tries to stall but Ares uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ares pushes Veljanovski back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Veljanovski avoiding damage as Ares throws knees to the body.
Veljanovski misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Veljanovski is trying to break free.
Ares blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Veljanovski tries to break free but Ares pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ares.
Veljanovski wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Veljanovski throws a punch but it's blocked by Ares.
Ares misses with some punches.
Veljanovski managing to block the knees to the body from Ares.
Veljanovski's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Veljanovski. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Ares trying to stall but Veljanovski improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ares tries to land knees in the clinch but Veljanovski avoids the damage to the body.
Veljanovski is trying to push Ares away but Ares has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Veljanovski is trying to force a seperation but Ares has the dominant position.
Veljanovski is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ares pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ares misses with the head strike.
Ares misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ares tries to pull guard but Veljanovski holds him up against the cage and eventually Ares drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicholas Ares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ares misses with the head strike.
Veljanovski doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ares blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Veljanovski lands an uppercut.
Veljanovski looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ares has a couple of punches blocked by Veljanovski.
Veljanovski is working Ares over against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ares tries to score a body lock takedown but Veljanovski shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ares lands a left hand that snaps the head of Veljanovski backwards.
Veljanovski tries to land a knee to the head but Ares blocks with his arms.
Ares has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Veljanovski avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Veljanovski tries to work over Ares's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ares is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Veljanovski is defending well for now.
Veljanovski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ares gets through Veljanovski's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Veljanovski just leaning against Ares, taking a breather.
Ares takes a shot to the head.

Veljanovski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Veljanovski tries to clinch but Ares moves out of range.
Veljanovski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ares swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Veljanovski rushes Ares and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Veljanovski controlling the action here for a moment.
Ares gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ares tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch.
Ares shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Veljanovski counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ares's guard now.
Ares is looking to sweep but instead, Veljanovski has passed into half guard.
Ares is looking to improve his position.

Veljanovski decides to stand and escape the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ares fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Veljanovski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. 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.

Veljanovski throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Veljanovski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ares, pushing him back against the cage.
Veljanovski working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ares blocks an uppercut.
Veljanovski lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ares jumps guard but Veljanovski turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Veljanovski can't break the clinch.
Ares is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Veljanovski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ares jumps guard but Veljanovski turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ares has a couple of punches blocked by Veljanovski.
Ares being controlled against the cage.
Ares is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Veljanovski is keeping busy.
Veljanovski tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ares tries to bum rush Veljanovski with a series of wild strikes but Veljanovski uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Veljanovski has Ares up against the cage in a clinch.
Ares working aggressively here.
Ares trying to land knees to the body.
Veljanovski is trying to break the clinch but Ares is controlling him.
Ares is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Veljanovski is keeping busy.
Veljanovski working aggressively here.
Veljanovski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ares lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ares misses with a punch to the body.
Still in the clinch, Veljanovski scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ares jumps guard but Veljanovski turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicholas Ares. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Veljanovski.
Veljanovski receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

Ares gets control of Veljanovski's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ares will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Veljanovski tries to stand but Ares is controlling from the bottom.

Veljanovski gets to his feet - Ares follows without any prompting.
Ares tries to close the distance and clinch up but Veljanovski swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Veljanovski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ares misses with a short punch on the inside.
Veljanovski fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Veljanovski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Veljanovski has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski leaning against his opponent.
Ares trying to land knees to the body.
Ares with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Veljanovski wants to break free but Ares has control.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nicholas Ares is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ares shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Veljanovski defends it nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Veljanovski tries to close the distance and clinch but Ares swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ares tries to close the distance and clinch but Veljanovski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nikola Veljanovski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Veljanovski moves into range and clinches up with Ares.
Ares tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ares keeps control of Veljanovski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Veljanovski misses with a punch to the body.
Veljanovski wants to break free but Ares has control.
Ares lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nicholas Ares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Veljanovski moves into the clinch.
Ares misses with a punch to the body.
Ares keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Veljanovski's efforts to push away.
Ares throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Veljanovski.
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!
Ares misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ares struggles to land a body shot inside as Veljanovski controls his hands.
Still in the clinch, Ares scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ares tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Veljanovski lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A body shot lands from Ares.
Veljanovski avoids the elbow strike from Ares, against the cage.
Veljanovski misses with a punch to the body.
Nikola Veljanovski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Veljanovski stalling the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikola Veljanovski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Veljanovski has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikola Veljanovski!