PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Volya Nikolaev (ranked 218 p4p, 27 weight class) and Tyler Durden (ranked 436 p4p, 40 weight class). Nikolaev's entrance music is Fever . A fine choice. Durden is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Where Is My Mind. Tyler Durden has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Volya Nikolaev's chin.

Nikolaev
vs
Durden

170 cm
37
165 lbs
37 - 27 - 0

180 cm
29
157 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$)

Venom Combat Sports

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 37 - 27 - 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 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyler Durden!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Durden misses with an uppercut. Nikolaev saw that one coming.
Durden tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've been hearing reports that Nikolaev has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Durden doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Durden just misses with a punch to the body.
Durden uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Durden gets caught flat footed, as Nikolaev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Durden wants to sweep here but Nikolaev controlling him for the moment.
Nikolaev seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Durden preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikolaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nikolaev scoring with some ground and pound.
Nikolaev throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durden has Nikolaev pulled in close to control his posture.
Durden is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Durden avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Durden avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nikolaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nikolaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Durden keeps moving.
Nikolaev lands a couple of digs.
Durden working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nikolaev throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Durden is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Durden controlling the action here.
Durden blocks the strikes from Nikolaev.

Nikolaev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nikolaev tries to get to full guard but Durden has control of the leg.
Nikolaev wants to control but Durden is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nikolaev gets full guard.
Nikolaev is adopting a defensive guard.
Nikolaev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Durden is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four 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.
Nikolaev wants to sweep here but Durden controlling him for the moment.

Nikolaev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Durden defends well.
Nikolaev working a defensive guard but Durden passes into half guard.
Nikolaev trying to control from the bottom.
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 trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nikolaev wants to control but Durden is having none of it.
Nikolaev manages to regain half guard. Good work.
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.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Durden takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Durden scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Durden misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nikolaev.

Nikolaev drives through with a takedown into Durden's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Durden avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nikolaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nikolaev throwing strikes from guard but Durden blocks nicely.
Nikolaev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Durden can do to turn this around?
Nikolaev throws an elbow that misses. Durden uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nikolaev's guard. Nice move by Durden!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nikolaev looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Durden passes into side control.
Nikolaev wants to control but Durden postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev is trying to improve his position.
Volya Nikolaev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nikolaev is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Durden's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Nikolaev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nikolaev trying to control from the bottom.
Nikolaev is looking for a sweep. Durden is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nikolaev manages to get to full guard.
Durden trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Durden won't allow Nikolaev to sweep him here.

Nikolaev looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Durden passes into side control.
Durden wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nikolaev keeps working.
Nikolaev manages to get back to half guard.
Nikolaev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Durden is working away from the top position though.

Nikolaev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev controlling the position well.
Nikolaev wants to control but Durden is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Durden wants to pass the guard but Nikolaev is defending well.
Durden wants to take a breather but Nikolaev is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Volya Nikolaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikolaev throws a jab but it's blocked by Durden.
Nikolaev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nikolaev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Durden's waist but Durden gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nikolaev off to one side.
A solid leg kick lands there for Durden.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev fails with a takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Durden! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Durden looks to land a body kick but Nikolaev moved away.
Durden buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Durden misses with a hook. Nikolaev ducked under it nicely.

Nikolaev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Durden struggling a bit here.
Nikolaev scores with a couple of short elbows.
Durden 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.
Durden defending against the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Durden is not content to let Nikolaev control the position.
Durden tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Volya Nikolaev will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Durden uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nikolaev has time to react.
Nikolaev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nikolaev throws a right hand that Durden ducks under and follows up with a left that Durden also avoids with ease.
Durden only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Nikolaev ducks under a wild hook from Durden.
Durden keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nikolaev.
Durden throws a good cross that connects.

Nikolaev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Durden is looking to improve his position.

Nikolaev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Nikolaev wants to take a breather but Durden is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nikolaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nikolaev is keen to just control but Durden is a slippery customer.

Nikolaev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Nikolaev looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nikolaev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Durden keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nikolaev tries to pass to full mount but Durden defends it.
Nikolaev with the ground and pound but Durden uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Nikolaev tries to free his leg and advance position but Durden is retaining full guard.
Nikolaev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Durden keeps moving.
Nikolaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Durden has wrist control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Nikolaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Durden bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nikolaev's guard.

Nikolaev working a defensive guard but Durden passes into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nikolaev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Nikolaev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Durden is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Durden doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Durden manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nikolaev controls Durden momentarily but Durden frees himself.
Nikolaev seems keen to control Durden's posture.
Nikolaev working a defensive guard here.
Tyler Durden 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.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Durden got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nikolaev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Durden has managed to get both his arms back between Nikolaev's legs - danger averted.
Durden pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nikolaev is keeping the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A big left from Nikolaev misses.
Nikolaev throws a combination that misses
and Durden counters with a nice body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nikolaev. Durden does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tyler Durden seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Durden moves out of range as Nikolaev strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Durden blocks a jab.
Good exchange - Nikolaev coming out on top.
Durden leaves Nikolaev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

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 Volya Nikolaev.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nikolaev, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Volya Nikolaev!
Volya Nikolaev decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.