PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Iancu Calmuschi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giovanni Nicodemo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Calmuschi
vs
Nicodemo

177 cm
21
165 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

170 cm
21
155 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Iancu Calmuschi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Giovanni Nicodemo!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nicodemo tries to close the distance and clinch but Calmuschi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nicodemo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Calmuschi counters with an inside leg kick.
Nicodemo throws an off balance right hand
and Calmuschi counters with a nice uppercut.
Nicodemo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nicodemo moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Calmuschi tries a head kick but it misses.
Calmuschi throws the left hand but Nicodemo avoids the punch easily.

Calmuschi gets tackled into the cage by Nicodemo. Nicodemo maintains the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nicodemo as Calmuschi tries to tie him up.
Calmuschi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee is keeping an eye on Calmuschi - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nicodemo has Calmuschi pressed against the cage, preventing Calmuschi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nicodemo lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicodemo misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nicodemo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Calmuschi blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nicodemo.

Nicodemo breaks the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Nicodemo scores with a four punch combination!
Nicodemo tries to clinch there but Calmuschi circles away.
Calmuschi throws a good cross that connects.
Calmuschi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nicodemo lands an overhand right.
Nicodemo punishes Calmuschi's body with a nice straight punch.
Calmuschi is looking to land body kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nicodemo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Calmuschi manages to avoid it.
Nicodemo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Calmuschi swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo throws a shot from downtown. Calmuschi moves away and avoids it.
Calmuschi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Calmuschi looks to throw a body kick
and Calmuschi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A shot to the liver by Nicodemo. Beautiful body shot.
Nicodemo connects with a body shot.
Calmuschi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nicodemo is out of range and Calmuschi settles back down.
Calmuschi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nicodemo counters with a right hand to the body.
Calmuschi lands a right hook to the body.
Calmuschi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nicodemo connects with a body shot.
Nicodemo misses the jab.
Calmuschi misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calmuschi lands a leg kick that knocks Nicodemo off balance momentarily.
A combination from Calmuschi does no damage.
Nicodemo misses with a hook
and Calmuschi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Calmuschi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nicodemo slips under a jab from Calmuschi.
Nicodemo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
An attempted straight right counter from Calmuschi misses the target.
Nicodemo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Calmuschi to counter with a crisp jab.
Calmuschi paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Calmuschi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Calmuschi moves away from the strike by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo throws a right hand that misses
and Calmuschi counters with a three punch combo that has Nicodemo backing up. Nicodemo nods at Calmuschi to acknowledge the strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nicodemo's corner calls for a 1-2. Nicodemo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calmuschi ducks under a wild hook from Nicodemo.
Calmuschi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nicodemo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Calmuschi. Calmuschi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nicodemo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nicodemo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Calmuschi.
Calmuschi moves out of range of the strikes.
Calmuschi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Nicodemo just manages to avoid it.
Nicodemo misses with a body shot.
Nicodemo misses with a straight right.
Calmuschi ducks under a wild hook from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo misses the shot to the body.
Calmuschi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Nicodemo tries to clinch there but Calmuschi circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giovanni Nicodemo dominated that round.
That's time! Calmuschi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nicodemo throws a hook to the side of Calmuschi's head but Calmuschi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Calmuschi clobbers Nicodemo with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Calmuschi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nicodemo counters with a straight right hand.
Calmuschi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Calmuschi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Calmuschi tries a head kick but it misses.
Nicodemo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Giovanni Nicodemo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nicodemo misses with a double jab.
Nicodemo loads up on a big right hand but Calmuschi slips the punch.
Calmuschi is looking to counter with head kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Calmuschi misses with a body shot
letting Nicodemo counter with a right hand.
Calmuschi thows a left - swing and a miss!
A looping hook to the body misses from Calmuschi. Nicodemo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nicodemo throws a hook to the side of Calmuschi's head but Calmuschi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nicodemo misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calmuschi avoids the body shot from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo throws a series of punches but Calmuschi avoids them all with ease.
Calmuschi swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Nicodemo digs a good hook to Calmuschi's body.
Nicodemo throws a right hand that misses
and Calmuschi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nicodemo missing with a left hand there. Calmuschi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Giovanni Nicodemo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Calmuschi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nicodemo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Calmuschi walks into a left hand.
Nicodemo misses with an uppercut.
Calmuschi scores with a shot to the body.
Nicodemo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nicodemo misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Calmuschi.
Nicodemo swings widly with a right hand
and Calmuschi counters with a nice uppercut.
Nicodemo misses with a right hand
and Calmuschi counters with a right hand to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nicodemo misses with a left hand
and Calmuschi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nicodemo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Calmuschi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nicodemo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nicodemo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Calmuschi.
Nicodemo lands with a good body shot.
Nicodemo defending well as Calmuschi loads up on a big left hand.
Calmuschi throws a jab but it's blocked by Nicodemo.
Nicodemo swings widly with a right hand
and Calmuschi counters with a low kick, right behind Nicodemo 's knee.
Nicodemo does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Calmuschi thinks about countering with a head kick.
Nicodemo throws out a loose jab but Calmuschi uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nicodemo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Calmuschi feinted there with a counter leg kick.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Nicodemo in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Calmuschi ducks under a wild hook from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo misses with a straight right.
Nicodemo lands a nice shot to the body.
Calmuschi swings for the body but Nicodemo moves out of range.
Nicodemo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Some wild striking there from Nicodemo.
Calmuschi slips under a jab.
Jab, jab by Nicodemo - just one landing.
Calmuschi throws a lazy right hand but Nicodemo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nicodemo misses with a right hand
and Calmuschi counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo fails with an attempt to clinch.
A leg kick checked by Calmuschi.
Nicodemo throws a body punch but Calmuschi moves out of range.
Calmuschi is looking to counter with a body kick.
Nicodemo throws a shot from downtown. Calmuschi moves away and avoids it.
Nicodemo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nicodemo lands a jab to the nose.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nicodemo throws a big shot that misses.
As Nicodemo backs away, Calmuschi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Nicodemo lands a slapping body shot.
Nicodemo connects with a body shot.
Nicodemo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Calmuschi.
It looked like Calmuschi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo throws a good cross that connects.
Nicodemo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A thudding body kick lands there by Calmuschi!
Calmuschi misses with the combination.
Nicodemo throws out a counter right but Calmuschi avoids it with no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giovanni Nicodemo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! 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.

Calmuschi ducks under a wild hook from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo looks to land a right hand but Calmuschi moved out of range.
Nicodemo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nicodemo avoids the body shot from Calmuschi.
Nicodemo darts in trying to clinch
and Calmuschi counters with an inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nicodemo. Calmuschi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nicodemo thows a left - swing and a miss!
A quick step to the side and Calmuschi 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.
Nicodemo misses with a body shot
and Calmuschi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Calmuschi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nicodemo.
Nicodemo takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nicodemo moves to clinch but Calmuschi breaks away
and Calmuschi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicodemo misses with a straight left.
Calmuschi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nicodemo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Calmuschi works Nicodemo's body with a nice hook.
Nicodemo throws out a loose jab but Calmuschi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Calmuschi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nicodemo looks to land a left hand but Calmuschi moved out of range nicely.
Nicodemo throws a hook to the side of Calmuschi's head but Calmuschi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nicodemo just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromCalmuschi.
Calmuschi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Calmuschi keeps the fight on the outside.
Nicodemo throws a big shot that misses.
Nicodemo tries to land a front kick but Calmuschi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nicodemo lands a slapping body shot.
Calmuschi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Calmuschi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nicodemo. Nicodemo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Calmuschi throws a head kick but Nicodemo moves out of range.
Nicodemo looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Calmuschi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nicodemo cracks Calmuschi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nicodemo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nicodemo lands a right hook to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Calmuschi.
Nicodemo looks to score with a jab to the body but Calmuschi is just out of range.
Nicodemo throws a body shot but no joy.
Calmuschi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Calmuschi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nicodemo circles away quickly and effectively.
Nicodemo scores with a sloppy right hand. Calmuschi should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calmuschi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Calmuschi keeps the fight on the outside.
Calmuschi throws a series of punches but Nicodemo avoids them all with ease.
Nicodemo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Calmuschi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nicodemo. Calmuschi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nicodemo misses with a straight left.
Nicodemo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nicodemo misses the jab.
Calmuschi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nicodemo counters with a nice uppercut.
Calmuschi blocks a jab.
Calmuschi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Calmuschi - that will leave a mark!
Nicodemo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Calmuschi manages to avoid it.
Calmuschi throwing a counter right hand but Nicodemo manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicodemo throws a chopping leg kick but Calmuschi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nicodemo misses with a looping right.
A quick step to the side and Calmuschi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nicodemo checks a low kick from Calmuschi.
Nicodemo throws a shot from downtown. Calmuschi moves away and avoids it.
Nicodemo lands with a hook. Calmuschi tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nicodemo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Calmuschi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A low kick from Nicodemo misses
and Calmuschi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
It looks like Calmuschi has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Calmuschi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nicodemo circles away quickly and effectively.
Calmuschi throws a front kick aimed at Nicodemo's knee but Nicodemo avoids it well.
Nicodemo jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Giovanni Nicodemo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Calmuschi dips to his left and cracks Nicodemo with an uppercut!
Nicodemo misses with a hook to the body
and Calmuschi counters with a three punch combo that has Nicodemo backing up. Nicodemo nods at Calmuschi to acknowledge the strikes.
Iancu Calmuschi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Calmuschi ducks under a wild hook from Nicodemo.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Iancu Calmuschi.
Well Nicodemo 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 George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giovanni Nicodemo!