PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Volya Nikolaev (ranked 464 p4p, 57 weight class) and Johnny Vegas (ranked 642 p4p, 77 weight class). Nikolaev's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Fever . Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Nikolaev
vs
Vegas

170 cm
43
165 lbs
49 - 35 - 0

173 cm
30
161 lbs
20 - 7 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Urban Fighter

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 49 - 35 - 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 20 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Johnny Vegas!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Chris Edwards and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikolaev moves away from the strike by Vegas.
Nikolaev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vegas.
Vegas's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Nikolaev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Vegas scrambles back to his feet.
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.

Vegas has taken the fight to the clinch.
Vegas keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nikolaev's efforts to push away.
Nikolaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Nikolaev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Vegas after a bit of a struggle.
A head punch on the inside from Vegas fails to land.
Nikolaev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nikolaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nikolaev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vegas pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Vegas lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikolaev tries to pull guard but Vegas holds him up against the cage and eventually Nikolaev drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikolaev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vegas lands a body punch.
Vegas lands a right hand.
Vegas scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Vegas.
Nikolaev blocks an uppercut.
A short right from Vegas.

Nikolaev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vegas catches Nikolaev with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Vegas moves into the clinch successfully.

Nikolaev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vegas throws a hook but Nikolaev blocks it.
A little feinted left hand from Nikolaev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Vegas lands a head shot.
Vegas looks to throw the jab but Nikolaev is out of range.
Nikolaev throwing a counter right hand but Vegas manages to avoid it.
Vegas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nikolaev.
Vegas misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Nikolaev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Vegas throws a low kick, looking for Nikolaev's leg but Nikolaev calmly moves out of range.
Nikolaev appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Vegas takes a swing at Nikolaev's ribcage but misses.
Vegas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nikolaev moves away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice uppercut lands for Vegas. That snapped Nikolaev's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vegas tries to land a front kick but Nikolaev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Vegas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nikolaev, pushing him back against the cage.
Nikolaev has Vegas pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Vegas manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Nikolaev gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Vegas regains guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nikolaev is fighting to break Vegas's control of his arms but Vegas is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Nikolaev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nikolaev tries to free his leg and advance position but Vegas is retaining full guard.
Nikolaev landing some decent shots from guard.
Vegas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nikolaev landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vegas keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.
Nikolaev is really struggling to control Vegas but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Vegas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nikolaev trying to control but Vegas is working from the bottom.
Vegas trying to control the position.
Nikolaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nikolaev chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Vegas wants to get back to his feet but Nikolaev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nikolaev wants to control from the top but Vegas keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nikolaev is looking to clinch.
Nikolaev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nice uppercut lands for Vegas. That snapped Nikolaev's head back.
Nikolaev shoots in for a double leg but Vegas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nikolaev misses with an uppercut. Vegas saw that one coming.
Vegas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikolaev.
Nikolaev closes the distance and clinches up with Vegas, looking for a takedown. Nikolaev pushes Vegas against the cage but Vegas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Vegas closes the distance and pushes Nikolaev back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Vegas dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vegas throws a body shot but no joy.
Nikolaev drops his hands momentarily and Vegas takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Johnny Vegas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nikolaev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nikolaev is looking to clinch but Vegas is avoiding it.
Nikolaev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vegas.
Nikolaev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Vegas catches Nikolaev with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nikolaev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nikolaev moves out of range of the strikes.
Vegas connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nikolaev's hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vegas moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Nikolaev fails with a takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Vegas! But no joy.
Nikolaev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Vegas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vegas rushes Nikolaev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Nikolaev breaks the clinch.
A good leg kick by Vegas.
Vegas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nikolaev throwing a counter right hand but Vegas manages to avoid it.
Nikolaev ducks under a wild hook from Vegas.
An attempted straight right counter from Nikolaev misses the target.
Nikolaev wants to clinch up but Vegas keeps it at a distance.
Nikolaev on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Nikolaev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vegas parries the strikes from Nikolaev easily there. Nikolaev is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Vegas to escape.
Nikolaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vegas keeps working.
Nikolaev in side control lands a decent elbow.
Vegas can't do much from the bottom here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikolaev landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vegas is trying to control Nikolaev's posture but Nikolaev avoids it.

Nikolaev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vegas, who protects the arm well.
Nikolaev is looking to take a break and control but Vegas is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Vegas is pushing Nikolaev's head away, looking to escape. Nikolaev manages to hold on to the position though.
Vegas takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Vegas can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev throws a strike aimed at the side of Vegas's head but Vegas avoids it well.
Vegas is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Nikolaev off and has taken his back!
Vegas keeps control of the position as Nikolaev tries to break free.
Vegas trying to control.
Vegas keeps control of the position easily here as Nikolaev tries to buck him off.
Nikolaev wants to control his opponent's hands but Vegas gets his hands free.
Nikolaev turns into Vegas and is now in his guard.
Vegas keeping moving, preventing Nikolaev from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
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.
Vegas is pulling down on Nikolaev's head. It's preventing any offense from Nikolaev, at least for the moment.
Vegas is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Vegas trying to control the position.
Nikolaev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nikolaev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nikolaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vegas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nikolaev trying to control but Vegas is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Vegas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Nikolaev swings for the body but Vegas moves out of range.
Vegas swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nikolaev tries to clinch but Vegas moves out of range.
Nikolaev backing away here, and Vegas unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Vegas scores with a hook.
Nikolaev bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Vegas's head backwards.
Vegas misses with a looping left.
Nikolaev misses with a looping right.
Vegas lands with a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Nikolaev.
Nice takedown defense from Vegas. No joy for Nikolaev on that attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vegas scores with a jab.
Vegas defending well as Nikolaev loads up on a big left hand.
Vegas flicks out a counter leg kick but Nikolaev steps away.
Vegas looks to land a left hand but Nikolaev moved out of range nicely.
It looked like Nikolaev was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Vegas.
Vegas throws out a loose jab but Nikolaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
A lazy left from Vegas finds it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vegas slips under a jab.
Nikolaev lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Vegas lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nice uppercut lands for Vegas. That snapped Nikolaev's head back.
Nikolaev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vegas sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nikolaev somewhat.
Vegas lands a jab to the head.
Vegas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nikolaev moves away.
A big right from Nikolaev misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vegas connects with a right hand. Nikolaev shakes it off.
Nikolaev darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nikolaev tries to clinch but Vegas moves out of range.

Vegas instigates a clinch.
Nikolaev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Vegas lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nikolaev can't break the clinch.
Vegas blocking some punches.
Vegas working aggressively here.
Vegas lands with a short shot to the head.
Vegas lands with a light punch inside.
Vegas lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nikolaev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vegas lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Nikolaev is rocked!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vegas.
Oh Nikolaev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nikolaev blocks an uppercut.
Volya Nikolaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikolaev seems to have got his legs back now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vegas has Nikolaev pressed against the cage, preventing Nikolaev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nikolaev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Vegas fails to land.
Vegas lands an uppercut.
Nikolaev blocks an uppercut.
Vegas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Vegas fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nikolaev.
A short right from Vegas.
Nikolaev tries to pull guard but Vegas forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Johnny Vegas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vegas lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nikolaev backwards.
Nikolaev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Vegas fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Vegas clinches.
Vegas has Nikolaev pressed against the cage, preventing Nikolaev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nikolaev looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nikolaev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Vegas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nikolaev, pushing him back against the cage.
Vegas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nikolaev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Vegas prevents it.
Nikolaev is looking to control Vegas's arms but Vegas gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nikolaev has his back to the cage.
Nikolaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vegas lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vegas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nikolaev is trying to break free.
Nikolaev misses with a punch to the body.
Vegas throws a head punch that misses.
Nikolaev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Vegas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vegas winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Vegas!
After winning the bout, Johnny Vegas thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.