PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shogun Iron Tyson (ranked 44 p4p, 9 weight class) and Volya Nikolaev (ranked 147 p4p, 24 weight class). Iron Tyson comes to the cage accompanied by Slaughterouse - Party. Nikolaev is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Fever . I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Volya Nikolaev was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Iron Tyson
vs
Nikolaev

165 cm
36
149 lbs
34 - 18 - 2

170 cm
37
165 lbs
38 - 27 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$)

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 34 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Shogun Iron Tyson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 27 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Volya Nikolaev!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikolaev lands with a cross.
A jab from Nikolaev misses.
Nikolaev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Iron Tyson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Iron Tyson looks to land a right hand but Nikolaev moved out of range.
Nikolaev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Shogun Iron Tyson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Iron Tyson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nikolaev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nikolaev lands with a hook. Iron Tyson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nikolaev misses with an uppercut.
Nikolaev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Iron Tyson defending well as Nikolaev loads up on a big left hand.
Iron Tyson is looking to counter punch.
Nikolaev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Iron Tyson pinned against the cage. Iron Tyson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Nikolaev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Iron Tyson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nikolaev scores with punches from side control.
Iron Tyson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Iron Tyson struggling a bit here.
Nikolaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Iron Tyson keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iron Tyson struggling a bit here.
Iron Tyson is not content to let Nikolaev control the position.
Iron Tyson parries the strikes from Nikolaev easily there. Nikolaev is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Iron Tyson to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Iron Tyson struggling a bit here.
Nikolaev lands a decent elbow from side control.
Nikolaev in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Iron Tyson seems a little lost for a moment, as Nikolaev dominates the positioning.
Iron Tyson tries to bench press Nikolaev off him but Nikolaev keeps the position.
Iron Tyson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nikolaev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Nikolaev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev thows a huge punch but Iron Tyson dodges it nicely.
Nikolaev looks to land a strike but Iron Tyson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Nikolaev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nikolaev distracts Iron Tyson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Iron Tyson keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.
Nikolaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Iron Tyson has wrist control.
Iron Tyson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nikolaev is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Iron Tyson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Iron Tyson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nikolaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Iron Tyson wants to sweep here but Nikolaev controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Iron Tyson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Iron Tyson misses with a right hand
and Nikolaev counters with a nice uppercut.
Iron Tyson scores with a decent looking hook.
Iron Tyson throws a nice looking combination but Nikolaev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nikolaev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nikolaev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Iron Tyson circles away.
Shogun Iron Tyson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nikolaev with a jab.

Iron Tyson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nikolaev landing knees to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Iron Tyson cracks Nikolaev with a nice body shot.
Nikolaev lands with a light punch inside.
Nikolaev struggles to land a body shot inside as Iron Tyson controls his hands.
Iron Tyson throws a punch but it's blocked by Nikolaev.
Iron Tyson has a couple of punches blocked by Nikolaev.
Iron Tyson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nikolaev working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nikolaev trying to control the position but instead, Iron Tyson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nikolaev into the cage.
Nikolaev is trying to drag Iron Tyson to the mat but Iron Tyson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Shogun Iron Tyson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev lands a shoulder strike.
Iron Tyson lands a nice uppercut.
Nikolaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Iron Tyson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nikolaev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Iron Tysons head.

Nikolaev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Iron Tyson lands a nice shot to the body.
Iron Tyson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nikolaev.
And Nikolaev tries to counter it with a takedown but Iron Tyson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Iron Tyson throws a body punch but Nikolaev moves out of range.
Nikolaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Iron Tyson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nikolaev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Iron Tyson.

Iron Tyson rushes Nikolaev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nikolaev working aggressively here.
Iron Tyson prevents a takedown attempt there.

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

A close round but Volya Nikolaev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Iron Tyson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nikolaev drives through with a takedown into Iron Tyson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Nikolaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Iron Tyson wants to sweep but no luck.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Iron Tyson keeps moving.
Nikolaev preventing the sweep.
Nikolaev postures up in Iron Tyson's guard and throws a big left but Iron Tyson blocks it.
Nikolaev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Nikolaev stands up over Iron Tyson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nikolaev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikolaev lands a couple of digs.
Nikolaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Iron Tyson has wrist control.
Iron Tyson is trying to keep Nikolaev in close.
Nikolaev throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nikolaev distracts Iron Tyson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Nikolaev sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Iron Tyson wants to get back to his feet but Nikolaev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nikolaev landing some decent shots from guard.
Iron Tyson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Iron Tyson wants to stand but Nikolaev is controlling the position.
Nikolaev looking to pass the guard.

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 stands up over Iron Tyson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nikolaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nikolaev stands and throws Iron Tyson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Iron Tyson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Nikolaev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nikolaev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Iron Tyson's head.
Volya Nikolaev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nikolaev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ground and pound from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Iron Tyson keeps working.
Iron Tyson wants to control but Nikolaev is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaev wants to work for an arm triangle but Iron Tyson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nikolaev looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nikolaev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nikolaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Iron Tyson pushes Nikolaev off looking to stand but Nikolaev dives back in and keeps control.
Nikolaev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Nikolaev is looking for a kimura but Iron Tyson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Nikolaev to get the leverage.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nikolaev lands a nice short elbow.
Iron Tyson taking some punishment here, with Nikolaev in his half guard.
Iron Tyson is looking for a sweep. Nikolaev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nikolaev working Iron Tyson over with strikes.
Nikolaev wants to control but Iron Tyson is keeping him busy.
Iron Tyson is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iron Tyson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nikolaev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nikolaev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Iron Tyson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Iron Tyson wants to control but Nikolaev is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nikolaev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Iron Tyson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nikolaev slips a nice elbow through Iron Tyson's hands, connecting with Iron Tyson's forehead.

Iron Tyson manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Iron Tyson misses with a straight right.
Nikolaev lands a nice hook to Iron Tyson's body. Iron Tyson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nikolaev looks to land a left hand but Iron Tyson moved out of range nicely.
Iron Tyson misses with a hook. Nikolaev ducked under it nicely.
Nikolaev fails with a takedown attempt.
Iron Tyson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nikolaev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Iron Tyson.
Nikolaev scores with a punch to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Volya Nikolaev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nikolaev avoids the body shot from Iron Tyson.
Nikolaev might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nikolaev misses with a hook.
Nikolaev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Iron Tyson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Iron Tyson takes one on the button.
Nikolaev shoots in but Iron Tyson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Iron Tyson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Iron Tyson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Iron Tyson connects with a single shot there.
Nikolaev misses with an uppercut. Iron Tyson saw that one coming.
Nice uppercut there from Iron Tyson.
Iron Tyson lands a jab to the head.

Nikolaev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Iron Tyson did well to prevent Nikolaev getting side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikolaev winds up and cracks Iron Tyson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Iron Tyson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Iron Tyson.
Iron Tyson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.
Iron Tyson looking to control but Nikolaev passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iron Tyson is staying active underneath Nikolaev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Iron Tyson wants to get back to full guard.
Iron Tyson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Iron Tyson is trying to maintain the position but Nikolaev is very close to passing his half guard.

Nikolaev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Iron Tyson won't allow Nikolaev to pass to mount.
Shogun Iron Tyson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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 seems to be looking for submissions.
Iron Tyson gets back to full guard.
Iron Tyson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev trying to control but Iron Tyson is working from the bottom.
Nikolaev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nikolaev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nikolaev is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Iron Tyson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Iron Tyson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Nikolaev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Iron Tyson throws a hook but Nikolaev avoids it easily.
Nikolaev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Iron Tyson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nikolaev moves away from the strike by Iron Tyson.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Iron Tyson.
Iron Tyson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nikolaev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nikolaev throws a body shot but no joy.
Nikolaev throws a right hand that Iron Tyson ducks under and follows up with a left that Iron Tyson also avoids with ease.
Nikolaev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Iron Tyson circles away quickly and effectively.
Nikolaev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Iron Tyson moves away.
Nikolaev misses with a double jab.
A punch combination from Nikolaev misses.
Nikolaev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nikolaev takes a swing at Iron Tyson's ribcage but misses.

Iron Tyson clinches up with Nikolaev and pushes him back against the cage.
Volya Nikolaev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev lands a nice uppercut.
Nikolaev looking to stall.
Iron Tyson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Iron Tyson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nikolaev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Iron Tyson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nikolaev blocks an uppercut.
Nikolaev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Iron Tyson after a bit of a struggle.
I was talking to Iron Tyson's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Shogun Iron Tyson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volya Nikolaev.
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!
Iron Tyson lands with a short shot to the head.
Nikolaev blocks a body shot from Iron Tyson.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Iron Tyson.
Nikolaev misses with an elbow strike.
Nikolaev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nikolaev is trying to drag Iron Tyson to the mat but Iron Tyson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Iron Tyson tries to work over Nikolaev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nikolaev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Iron Tyson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Iron Tyson lands with a short punch from the clinch.

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 Shogun Iron Tyson.
I think Nikolaev 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Volya Nikolaev!
An out of breath Volya Nikolaev thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
In defeat, Shogun Iron Tyson stepped up to the mic, saying 'Another garbage decision, of course.'.