PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sydney Lewis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gher Art Nihatson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Lewis
vs
Art Nihatson

160 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

175 cm
21
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sydney Lewis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gher Art Nihatson!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Dean Styles and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lewis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Lewis drives through and clinches with Nihatson against the cage.
Lewis prevents a takedown attempt there.

Nihatson manages to break the clinch.
Nihatson shoots in looking for a takedown. Lewis tries to sprawl out of it but Nihatson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lewis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A quick step to the side and Lewis tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nihatson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nihatson has a takedown stuffed.
Sydney Lewis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gher Art Nihatson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nihatson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lewis shoots in for a double leg but Nihatson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gher Art Nihatson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nihatson misses with a two punch combination.
Nihatson shoots and misses
and Lewis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nihatson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lewis is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Lewis avoids the head kick by Nihatson.
Nihatson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lewis.

Nihatson has closed the distance and engaged Lewis in a clinch.

Nihatson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lewis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Lewis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nihatson is pulling down on Lewis's head. It's preventing any offense from Lewis, at least for the moment.
Lewis throwing strikes from guard but Nihatson blocks nicely.

Nihatson is working an open guard so Lewis takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lewis looks for a takedown but Nihatson sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Nihatson.
Nihatson throws out a loose jab but Lewis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lewis tries to close the distance and clinch but Nihatson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nihatson is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
A punch combination from Nihatson misses.
Lewis tries for a takedown but Nihatson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nihatson misses with a few strikes there.
Nihatson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lewis is looking to counter punch.
Lewis looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nihatson is fending him off so far but Lewis persists. Nope, Nihatson circles away and we're back to standing.
Nihatson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nihatson looks winded!
Nihatson fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nihatson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lewis swivels and escapes.

Nihatson gets a takedown into half guard.
Nihatson wants to stand up but Lewis has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Lewis tries to get to full guard but Nihatson has control of the leg.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nihatson controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gher Art Nihatson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lewis takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
No luck for Lewis with that takedown attempt.
Lewis leaves Nihatson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lewis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nihatson as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nihatson tries to close the distance and clinch but Lewis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nihatson fails with the takedown
and Lewis counters with a left to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nihatson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lewis.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sydney Lewis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nihatson scores with a jab to the body.

Nihatson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lewis napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Lewis wants to control but Nihatson postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nihatson in side control lands a decent elbow.

Nihatson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Nihatson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Lewis with that takedown attempt.
Nihatson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lewis.

Nihatson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nihatson is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nihatson wants to stand up but Lewis is controlling the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lewis is looking to control Nihatson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lewis avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nihatson is looking to take a break and control but Lewis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nihatson is thwarting Lewis's attempts to control the position.
Nihatson wants to stand up but Lewis has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Lewis could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Nihatson gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Lewis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nihatson tries to avoid it but Lewis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nihatson to the ground. Nihatson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Nihatson forces Lewis back against the cage and clinches.

Nihatson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Lewis regains guard.
Lewis looking to control but Nihatson passes into half guard.
Lewis gets back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lewis has a closed guard, preventing Nihatson from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gher Art Nihatson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nihatson forces Lewis back against the cage and clinches.
Lewis tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lewis tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nihatson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nihatson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Nihatson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nihatson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nihatson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lewis jumps guard but Nihatson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sydney Lewis. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nihatson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Lewis clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nihatson is not going to allow Lewis to sit and survive in this position.
Lewis covering up well and avoiding damage.
What can Lewis do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Nihatson is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Lewis knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Lewis for a finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lewis wants to escape the position.
Nihatson is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Nihatson working for the choke.
Nihatson controlling well, preventing Lewis from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nihatson throwing damaging strikes from the back! Lewis could be in trouble here!
Lewis is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Lewis is trying to break free.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nihatson misses with a punch to the head.
Lewis trying to control the position but Nihatson manages to sink in the hooks.
Nihatson is looking to control Lewis but Lewis is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Nihatson has the hooks in. Lewis is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nihatson trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Lewis doesn't escape.
Nihatson is not going to allow Lewis to sit and survive in this position.
Lewis covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Gher Art Nihatson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Nihatson has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nihatson controls the position.
Sydney Lewis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Gher Art Nihatson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nihatson 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 26:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gher Art Nihatson!