PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Volya Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Daniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolaev's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Fever . Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Nikolaev
vs
Daniels

170 cm
31
165 lbs
24 - 17 - 0

179 cm
28
163 lbs
17 - 11 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bos Energy MMA159.4

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 24 - 17 - 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 17 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Jack Daniels!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Paul Tew and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikolaev shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Daniels eats them both and turns towards Nikolaev to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Nikolaev has been working on his boxing with his coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
A big right from Nikolaev misses.
Daniels misses the jab.

Daniels ducks straight into an uppercut from Nikolaev and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Daniels manages to regain guard straight away.

Daniels is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Daniels working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.
Daniels is still in real trouble! Can Nikolaev finish him?
Nikolaev throwing strikes from guard but Daniels blocks nicely.
Nikolaev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Daniels keeping full guard, as Nikolaev tries to pass.
Daniels seems to have recovered his senses.
Nikolaev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nikolaev throws a big elbow that misses.
Daniels keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.
Nikolaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Daniels swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nikolaev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Daniels is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Daniels keeps moving.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Nikolaev landing with the ground and pound.
Nikolaev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nikolaev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nikolaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Daniels is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nikolaev is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Daniels throws a low kick but Nikolaev moves out of range easily.
A slow jab from Nikolaev misses its intended target.
Daniels pushes Nikolaev away with a front kick.
Daniels lands with a slapping head kick.
Nikolaev misses with a looping left.
Daniels looks to score with a jab to the body but Nikolaev is just out of range.
Daniels scores with a head kick. Nikolaev tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nikolaev darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nikolaev connects with a jab.
Daniels scores with the left hand. Nikolaev knows he should have avoided that one.
Nikolaev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Daniels tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nikolaev is able to avoid easily.
Daniels is looking to slow Nikolaev down with leg kicks.
Nikolaev shoots for a takedown but Daniels saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Daniels avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Daniels counters with a body kick.
Nikolaev connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Daniels momentarily.
Daniels looks for the body kick but Nikolaev saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels dips to his left and cracks Nikolaev with an uppercut!
Jack Daniels seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikolaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That kick from Daniels tenderised Nikolaev's leg. Nikolaev is trying to keep his angry face on.

Daniels tries to sprawl but Nikolaev drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Nikolaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Daniels keeps working.
Nikolaev throws a strike but Daniels avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Nikolaev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nikolaev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nikolaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Daniels is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nikolaev throws a strike but Daniels rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Nikolaev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaev is looking for a triangle here but Daniels uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
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.
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!
Daniels trying to control the position but Nikolaev is working away.
Daniels cracks Nikolaev with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Daniels wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nikolaev keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikolaev is looking to reverse the position.
A control attempt from Nikolaev but he's now mounted!
Nikolaev regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Volya Nikolaev dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Daniels scores with a jab to the body.
Daniels throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Daniels just misses with a punch to the body.
Nikolaev appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Nikolaev lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Daniels sprawling to the canvas. Nikolaev follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Daniels hang on?
Nikolaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikolaev stops Daniels from getting back to his feet.
Nikolaev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nikolaev misses with a head shot. Daniels uses the momentum to regain guard.
Nikolaev throws an elbow that misses. Daniels uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nikolaev's guard. Nice move by Daniels!

Daniels wants to control from the top but Nikolaev keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nikolaev looking for a guillotine here but Daniels defends easily.
Daniels trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikolaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Daniels wants to pass the guard but Nikolaev is keeping the position.
Daniels trying to control but Nikolaev is working from the bottom.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Daniels working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Nikolaev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Daniels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nikolaev swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Nikolaev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Daniels doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Daniels manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nikolaev trying to control the position.
Daniels distracts Nikolaev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Daniels controlling from the top position.
Daniels landing with the ground and pound.
Volya Nikolaev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Nikolaev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Daniels passes Nikolaev's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Daniels is stalling here. Nikolaev is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Daniels seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Nikolaev has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Daniels regains half guard, as Nikolaev was trying to land strikes.
Daniels is trying to stand back up but Nikolaev is controlling him
Nikolaev wants to take a breather but Daniels is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daniels is trying to escape back to his feet but Nikolaev uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Daniels takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Nikolaev wants to control but Daniels is keeping him busy.
Nikolaev wants to take a breather but Daniels manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Nikolaev.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Daniels keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nikolaev looking to sit in guard and control but Daniels gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

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

Volya Nikolaev dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Daniels walks into a jab.
Daniels works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Daniels displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Daniels.
Daniels now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Daniels throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Daniels looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nikolaev misses with a straight left.
And Daniels responds with a good body kick, but Nikolaev manages to step out the way in time.
Daniels throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nikolaev throws a hook but Daniels blocks it.
Daniels throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Volya Nikolaev is winning the standup battle so far.

Nikolaev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Daniels sprawls well initially but Nikolaev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Nikolaev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Daniels defends it well.
Nikolaev not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels looks like he's trying to stand up.

Nikolaev is working for a submission of some sort.
Daniels keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nikolaev with the ground and pound but Daniels uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Nikolaev lands a couple of elbows.
Nikolaev cracks Daniels with a solid left hand.
Nikolaev with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniels avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nikolaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Daniels has wrist control.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Daniels keeps moving.
Daniels is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nikolaev postures up in Daniels's guard and throws a big left but Daniels blocks it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Daniels turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nikolaev misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels thows a leg kick but Nikolaev checks it
and Nikolaev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nikolaev tries to bum rush Daniels with a series of wild strikes but Daniels uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Daniels swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Daniels takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nikolaev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nikolaev shoots for a double leg takedown but Daniels sprawls well. He's pushed Nikolaev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Daniels uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev throws a right hand that misses
and Daniels counters with a straight right hand.
Daniels lands with a cross.
Daniels scores with a hook to the body. Nikolaev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nikolaev lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Daniels backs up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Daniels's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Nikolaev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Daniels scrambles back to his feet.
Daniels connects with a body shot that sends Nikolaev's belly button to the back.
Nikolaev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Daniels lands with a nice body punch.
Nikolaev misses with a looping right.
Nikolaev walks into a jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for Daniels.
Jack Daniels has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Volya Nikolaev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Daniels manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nikolaev takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Daniels pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nikolaev appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Nikolaev sizes up Daniels with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nikolaev chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Daniels can pounce on him.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Daniels - that will leave a mark!
Jack Daniels is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Daniels, right into the meat.
Daniels throws a shot from downtown. Nikolaev moves away and avoids it.
The fighters circling - Daniels throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Daniels misses with a wild body shot.
Nikolaev moves out of range as Daniels throws a body kick.
Nikolaev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nikolaev moves out of range as Daniels strikes.
Daniels pushes Nikolaev away with a front kick.
Daniels has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nikolaev checks the leg kick.
Nikolaev was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nikolaev chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Daniels can pounce on him.
Nikolaev moves out of range of the body kick from Daniels.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Daniels comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nikolaev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Volya Nikolaev!
Volya Nikolaev decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.