PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Volya Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Chandler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolaev's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Fever . Marcus Chandler has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Volya Nikolaev's chin.

Nikolaev
vs
Chandler

170 cm
27
165 lbs
19 - 11 - 0

175 cm
29
159 lbs
21 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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Bullet Proof System

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 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Volya Nikolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcus Chandler!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Valeri Chadov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikolaev scores with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Nikolaev.
Chandler leaves Nikolaev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Chandler throws out a counter right but Nikolaev avoids it with no problem.
Nikolaev throws a shot from downtown. Chandler moves away and avoids it.
Nikolaev has been working on his boxing with his coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Jab by Nikolaev.
Chandler lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Chandler moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Chandler slips a jab from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev misses with a hook. Chandler ducked under it nicely.
Chandler lands a nice looking body shot.
Nikolaev shoots in and drives through. Chandler sprawls well.
Chandler paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Chandler uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nikolaev has time to react.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chandler tries to clinch up but Nikolaev circles away and keeps his distance.
Chandler digs a good body shot into Nikolaev's ribs.
Chandler moves to clinch but Nikolaev breaks away

and Nikolaev counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Nikolaev prevents Chandler from improving his position.
Nikolaev wants to take a breather but Chandler is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nikolaev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Chandler does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Nikolaev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nikolaev throwing shots but Chandler is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikolaev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Chandler knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Nikolaev is looking to take a break and control but Chandler is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Chandler makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Chandler.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chandler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Chandler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.
Chandler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chandler managing to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nikolaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nikolaev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nikolaev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Chandler is on top in guard.

Nikolaev has control of Chandler's left arm, preventing Chandler from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nikolaev working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Chandler has passed into half guard!
Nikolaev trying to hold on to Chandler's head to control him but Chandler postures up.
Chandler prevents Nikolaev from improving his position.
Nikolaev is staying active underneath Chandler, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nikolaev misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Chandler wants to take a breather but Nikolaev is having none of it.
Nikolaev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Chandler is working away from the top position though.
Nikolaev tries to roll over but Chandler keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nikolaev trying to hold on to Chandler's head to control him but Chandler postures up.
Chandler trying to pass the guard but Nikolaev defending well.
Chandler thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nikolaev is not content to let Chandler control the position.
Still in half guard, Chandler seems content to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Chandler is looking to clinch but Nikolaev is avoiding it.
Nikolaev throws a big counter combination but Chandler scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nikolaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chandler.
Chandler gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nikolaev misses with a hook
and Chandler counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nikolaev scores with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Volya Nikolaev will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Chandler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nikolaev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Chandler bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Marcus Chandler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Chandler on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Nikolaev gets tackled into the cage by Chandler. Chandler maintains the clinch.

Nikolaev manages to break the clinch.
Nice shot lands for Chandler.
Nikolaev is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Nikolaev darts in looking for a takedown but Chandler gets double underhooks and turns Nikolaev into the cage.
Chandler connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nikolaev fails with a takedown attempt.
Nikolaev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Chandler has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikolaev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Chandler let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Nikolaev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Nikolaev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nikolaev in particular looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler tries to roll over but Nikolaev keeps him under control.
Chandler slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Chandler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Chandler keeps moving.
Chandler trying to keep a closed guard but Nikolaev is proving a slippery customer.
Nikolaev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nikolaev stopping the sweep attempt from Chandler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nikolaev trying to control but Chandler is working from the bottom.
Nikolaev postures up.
Nikolaev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Chandler trying to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Chandler swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nikolaev.
Chandler swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chandler.
Nice defenses there by Chandler.
Nikolaev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Chandler swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Chandler fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nikolaev on the side of the head.
Nikolaev misses with a hook. Chandler ducked under it nicely.

Chandler moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chandler scores with a shot to the side of Nikolaev's head.
Chandler lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nikolaev backwards.
Nikolaev blocks an uppercut.
Chandler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Chandler is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chandler tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nikolaev's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Chandler fails to land.
Chandler gets underhooks to prevent Nikolaev's takedown attempt.
Chandler struggles to land a body shot inside as Nikolaev controls his hands.
Nikolaev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Chandler after a bit of a struggle.
Chandler gets underhooks to prevent Nikolaev's takedown attempt.
A short right from Chandler.
Chandler working aggressively here.
Chandler tries to work over Nikolaev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chandler tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Chandler.
Chandler swings wildly with an uppercut but Nikolaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chandler tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Chandler has a couple of punches blocked by Nikolaev.
Chandler doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Chandler trying to land knees to the body.
Chandler misses with a body punch.
Chandler tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Chandler - that landed with a thud.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Nikolaev works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Chandler avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nikolaev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Chandler is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Nikolaev throws an elbow that misses. Chandler uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nikolaev's guard. Nice move by Chandler!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Chandler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Chandler keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nikolaev.
Chandler lands a really nice looking cross but Nikolaev seems unphased.
Chandler closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Chandler slips a jab and a cross from Nikolaev.
Chandler slips a straight right by Nikolaev.
A swing and a miss from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev looks to throw the jab but Chandler is out of range.
Chandler uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A shot to the liver by Chandler. Beautiful body shot.
Nikolaev gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nikolaev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nikolaev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chandler tries to clinch but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Nikolaev takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A punch lands to the side of Chandler 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Chandler thuds his right hand into Nikolaev's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Chandler throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nikolaev on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler scores with a nice strike.
Chandler avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Chandler slips under a jab from Nikolaev.
Chandler looks to score with a jab to the body but Nikolaev is just out of range.
Jab by Nikolaev.
Chandler is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Chandler throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Chandler thuds a left hand into Nikolaev's body.
Nikolaev misses with a looping left.
Chandler drops his hands momentarily and Nikolaev takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nikolaev lands with a hook. Chandler tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Chandler is rocked!
Nikolaev misses with a takedown attempt - Chandler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Chandler is still on wobbly legs! Can Nikolaev finish him?
Chandler clobbers Nikolaev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikolaev looks to throw the jab but Chandler is out of range.
Chandler seems to have recovered his senses.
Chandler scores with a hook.
Nikolaev fails with the takedown
and Chandler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler tries to clinch but Nikolaev is having none of it.
Chandler blocks a jab.
Chandler throws a body shot but no joy.
Nikolaev throws a big counter combination but Chandler scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Chandler throws a body shot but no joy.
Nikolaev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Chandler scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nikolaev fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikolaev lands a jab to the nose.
Good standup being displayed there by Chandler as he connects with a hook.
Nikolaev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Some bone on bone action there as Chandler checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nikolaev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Nikolaev uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Chandler has time to react.
Chandler lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chandler fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nikolaev cracks Chandler with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Good standup being displayed there by Nikolaev as he connects with a hook.
Nikolaev throws out a loose jab but Chandler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chandler scores with a nice right hand.
Nikolaev tries to move into range but Chandler moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Marcus Chandler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Chandler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A jab lands there for Chandler.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev keeps the fight on the outside.
Nikolaev misses with a looping right.
Chandler slips under a jab.
Nikolaev looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nikolaev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Chandler scores with a jab to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chandler connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nikolaev. Nikolaev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Chandler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nikolaev swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Chandler scores with the left hand. Nikolaev knows he should have avoided that one.
Nikolaev has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Chandler finds it's way round the side to connect with Nikolaev's head.
Nikolaev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nikolaev throws a hook but Chandler blocks it.
Chandler bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nikolaev's head.
Chandler connects with a nice looking jab.
Nikolaev scores with a decent looking hook.
Nice takedown defense from Chandler. No joy for Nikolaev on that attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nikolaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nikolaev takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Chandler tries to clinch but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Chandler throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nikolaev loads up on a big right hand but Chandler slips the punch.
Good standup being displayed there by Chandler as he connects with a hook.
Marcus Chandler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chandler clobbers Nikolaev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nikolaev throws a shot from downtown. Chandler moves away and avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Chandler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Chandler has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Chandler!