PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Norbert Schwager Ii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Volya Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolaev has chosen Fever as his entrance music. Norbert Schwager Ii has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Schwager Ii
vs
Nikolaev

175 cm
23
163 lbs
9 - 4 - 1

170 cm
22
165 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

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 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Norbert Schwager Ii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Volya Nikolaev!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Sergei Dronov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nikolaev gets a double leg takedown into Schwager Ii's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Schwager Ii controlling the position.
Nikolaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Schwager Ii throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Schwager Ii working a defensive guard here.
Schwager Ii is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Schwager Ii looking to control.

Norbert Schwager Ii has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Nikolaev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Schwager Ii throws out the jab.

Nikolaev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nikolaev works over Schwager Ii with some ground and pound from guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikolaev stopping the sweep attempt from Schwager Ii.
Schwager Ii definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nikolaev throws a big elbow that misses.
Nikolaev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Schwager Ii wants to sweep but no luck.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nikolaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schwager Ii trying to keep a closed guard but Nikolaev is proving a slippery customer.
Nikolaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Schwager Ii has wrist control.
Nikolaev makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nikolaev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nikolaev postures up in Schwager Ii's guard and throws a big left but Schwager Ii blocks it.
Schwager Ii wants to stand up but Nikolaev is controlling him.
Nikolaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Schwager Ii working a defensive guard here.
Nikolaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Schwager Ii works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nikolaev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Schwager Ii is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nikolaev is trying to get back to full guard.
Schwager Ii is thwarting Nikolaev's attempts to control the position.
Schwager Ii passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schwager Ii trying to control but Nikolaev is having none of it.
Schwager Ii avoids the attempt from Nikolaev to control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schwager Ii trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nikolaev is desperately trying to improve his position but Schwager Ii has a good base and remains in mount.
Nikolaev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nikolaev really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Schwager Ii looking to control and managing it successfully.
Nikolaev working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schwager Ii thowing shots but they're missing.
Nikolaev wants to hold on but Schwager Ii pushes him away.
Schwager Ii wants to control the pace but Nikolaev is squirming around nicely.
Nikolaev is in all sorts of trouble here.
Nikolaev is squirming around, avoiding Schwager Ii's attempts to control the action.
Nikolaev has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Nikolaev tries to lock up and control but Schwager Ii gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schwager Ii wants to control the pace but Nikolaev is squirming around nicely.
Schwager Ii prevents Nikolaev from getting the reversal.
Nikolaev is squirming around, avoiding Schwager Ii's attempts to control the action.
Schwager Ii tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Schwager Ii can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nikolaev is looking to escape.
Nikolaev manages to regain half guard. Good work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikolaev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Schwager Ii postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Volya Nikolaev dominated 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 is looking to clinch but Schwager Ii is avoiding it.
Schwager Ii leaves Nikolaev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nikolaev wants to clinch up but Schwager Ii keeps it at a distance.
Schwager Ii rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nikolaev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Schwager Ii throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Schwager Ii throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nikolaev tries to move into range but Schwager Ii moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nikolaev tries to clinch up.
Nikolaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Schwager Ii paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nikolaev avoids the body shot from Schwager Ii.
Nikolaev's corner calls for a 1-2. Nikolaev obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nikolaev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Schwager Ii manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Nikolaev clinches with his opponent.
Schwager Ii stops a takedown attempt from Nikolaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Nikolaev.
Schwager Ii stops a takedown attempt from Nikolaev.
Norbert Schwager Ii has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.
Nikolaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nikolaev can't get the takedown.
Schwager Ii is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Schwager Ii gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Schwager Ii stops a takedown attempt from Nikolaev.

Nikolaev has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Schwager Ii regains guard immediately.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schwager Ii is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nikolaev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nikolaev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nikolaev postures up in Schwager Ii's guard and throws a big left but Schwager Ii blocks it.
Schwager Ii has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikolaev throws a strike but Schwager Ii rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Schwager Ii has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nikolaev keeping moving, preventing Schwager Ii from controlling successfully.
Nikolaev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Schwager Ii trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikolaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schwager Ii wants to pass the guard but Nikolaev is keeping the position.
Schwager Ii with a flurry of punches that miss.
Schwager Ii wants to control from the top but Nikolaev keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Norbert Schwager Ii.
Nikolaev wants to clinch.
Schwager Ii looks to throw the jab but Nikolaev is out of range.

Nikolaev throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Schwager Ii was covering up waiting for the punch and Nikolaev finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Nikolaev being controlled here momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Norbert Schwager Ii just wasn't active enough.
Nikolaev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nikolaev misses with a double jab.
Schwager Ii's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nikolaev under the eye.
Schwager Ii swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Schwager Ii misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nikolaev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Schwager Ii waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nikolaev.
Nikolaev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Schwager Ii.
Schwager Ii looks to land a combination but Nikolaev avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Volya Nikolaev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nikolaev throws a jab when Schwager Ii was well out of range.
Schwager Ii looks to score with a jab to the body but Nikolaev is just out of range.
Nikolaev moves to clinch but Schwager Ii breaks away
and Schwager Ii counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Schwager Ii misses with a two punch combination.
Schwager Ii throws an off balance right hand
and Nikolaev counters with a series of strikes. Schwager Ii will be more careful next time no doubt.
Volya Nikolaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Nikolaev.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nikolaev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Norbert Schwager Ii is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A swing and a miss from Nikolaev.

Nikolaev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Schwager Ii stalls.
Nikolaev wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev is trying to pull guard but Schwager Ii turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Nikolaev is working for takedown but Schwager Ii is calmly controlling the position for now.
Norbert Schwager Ii has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.
Schwager Ii looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Schwager Ii gets underhooks to prevent Nikolaev's takedown attempt.
Nikolaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nikolaev can't get the takedown.
Nikolaev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Schwager Ii fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schwager Ii leaves Nikolaev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Schwager Ii lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nikolaev circles away quickly and effectively.
A combination from Schwager Ii does no damage.
A combination from Schwager Ii does no damage.
Horrible takedown by Nikolaev or perhaps it was just good defense by Schwager Ii which made him look bad.

Nikolaev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nikolaev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Schwager Ii pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nikolaev lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nikolaev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaev has Schwager Ii pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Nikolaev pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Schwager Ii tumbling to the mat - Nikolaev dives into Schwager Ii's guard.
Nikolaev trying to control but Schwager Ii is working from the bottom.
Schwager Ii tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Nikolaev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Schwager Ii trying to control the position.
Schwager Ii wants to get back to his feet but Nikolaev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Schwager Ii controlling Nikolaev's posture.
Schwager Ii working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schwager Ii keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.
Schwager Ii wants to stand up but Nikolaev is controlling him.

Norbert Schwager Ii has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Schwager Ii tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nikolaev was well out of range. Poor timing from Schwager Ii.
Nikolaev is looking to clinch.
Norbert Schwager Ii is winning the standup battle so far.

Nikolaev clinches with his opponent.
Volya Nikolaev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nikolaev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Schwager Ii to keep the fight standing.
Nikolaev is trying to pull guard but Schwager Ii has him pressed against the cage.
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.
Schwager Ii prevents the takedown attempt.
Schwager Ii is defending well against a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Volya Nikolaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nikolaev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Volya Nikolaev!
Volya Nikolaev took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.