PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Manny Nibak (ranked 5149 p4p, 419 weight class) and Vikrama Lykke (ranked 4577 p4p, 386 weight class). Lykke has chosen 2Pac - Dear Mama as his entrance music. Vikrama Lykke has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nibak
vs
Lykke

166 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
147 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Sully's Bar & Grill

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manny Nibak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vikrama Lykke!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Lykke as Nibak shoots in.
Lykke is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Nibak closes the distance and clinches.
Nibak holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Nibak jumps into guard, dragging Lykke to the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Lykke postures up.
Lykke stays in close to Nibak's body and controls the position.
Lykke wants to control from the top but Nibak keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lykke controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nibak keeping moving, preventing Lykke from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lykke sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nibak controlling Lykke's posture.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lykke stays in close to Nibak's body and controls the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nibak shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lykke pinned against the cage. Lykke gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nibak shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lykke changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manny Nibak. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.
Nibak stalks Lykke and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Lykke's face. Lykke staggers backwards, shaken.
Nibak tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lykke sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nibak somewhat.
Lykke is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Nibak throws a left and a right that both miss

and Lykke counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nibak is trying to keep Lykke in close.
Lykke trying to control but Nibak is working from the bottom.
Lykke might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Nibak haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nibak looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lykke is one step ahead there.
Lykke prevents Nibak from getting back to his feet.
Nibak can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lykke controls the pace.

Nibak is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lykke is aware though and is defending well.
Nibak doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Lykke tries to free his leg and advance position but Nibak is retaining full guard.
Nibak pulls Lykke in to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Nibak moves into the clinch successfully.
Lykke is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nibak pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Nibak pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lykke controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Lykke's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
It looks like Lykke might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Nibak looking for a sweep. Not yet Nibak, not yet.
Lykke is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Nibak looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Nibak looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
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 Manny Nibak will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nibak looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lykke is fending him off so far but Nibak persists. Nope, Lykke circles away and we're back to standing.
Nibak shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lykke as he avoids it easily.

Nibak closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nibak drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lykke pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manny Nibak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nibak looks for a takedown but Lykke sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nibak closes the distance looking to clinch

and Lykke counters with a single leg into guard. Nibak didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lykke slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Lykke wants to control from the top but Nibak keeps moving.
Lykke trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nibak is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lykke wants to control from the top but Nibak keeps moving.
Nibak trying to control the position.
Lykke's corner is telling him to maintain position.

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

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nibak doesn't manage to clinch there - Lykke circles away.
Lykke with the counter takedown but Nibak avoids it easily.
Nibak shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lykke as he avoids it easily.

Nibak moves into range and clinches up with Lykke.
Lykke gets underhooks to prevent Nibak's takedown attempt.
Lykke goes for a takedown attempt but Nibak pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nibak tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lykke manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nibak throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lykke's waist but Lykke gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nibak off to one side.
Lykke changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nibak rushes Lykke and presses him up against the cage.

Nibak breaks the clinch.
Nibak dives in for a single leg takedown but Lykke sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Lykke is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nibak misses with a takedown attempt - Lykke sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lykke is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nibak looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nibak wants to clinch up but Lykke keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nibak wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nibak looks for a takedown but Lykke sprawls well.
Lykke changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nibak fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lykke avoids it really well and circles away.
Lykke with the counter takedown but Nibak avoids it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nibak throws a leg kick that is checked

and Lykke counters with a single leg into guard. Nibak didn't expect that.
Lykke trying to control the position from guard on top but Nibak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vikrama Lykke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nibak clinches up with Lykke and pushes him back against the cage.

Nibak breaks the clinch.
Lykke stuffs the takedown attempt from Nibak. Nibak gets slowly back to his feet.
A little jabbing left from Lykke on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nibak throws a one two combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nibak wants to clinch up but Lykke keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nibak misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lykke is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Nibak has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nibak is pressed up against the cage. Lykke has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nibak down to the mat. Nibak avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nibak looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manny Nibak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nibak shoots in for a takedown but Lykke shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lykke with the counter takedown but Nibak avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lykke circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lykke tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nibak closes the distance but Lykke moves to the side

and Lykke counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lykke.
Lykke showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
More stalling from Lykke.
Nibak is trying to keep Lykke in close.
Nibak looking for a sweep. Not yet Nibak, not yet.
Lykke controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nibak trying to control the position.
Nibak keeping moving, preventing Lykke from controlling successfully.
Nibak looking for a sweep. Not yet Nibak, not yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lykke pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nibak is keeping the position for now.
Lykke keeps trying to improve his position.
Lykke is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nibak tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lykke paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've been informed that Lykke has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Manny Nibak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nibak looks for a takedown but Lykke sprawls well.
Lykke changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's four 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.
Nibak lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lykke circles away quickly and effectively.
Lykke tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Nibak closes the distance and pushes Lykke back into the cage.

Nibak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nibak tries to close the distance and clinch but Lykke swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lykke slaps away a takedown attempt from Nibak, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nibak rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lykke moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lykke throws a counter combo.
Nibak doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Lykke counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vikrama Lykke.
I think Lykke 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 George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Vikrama Lykke!
Vikrama Lykke was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.