PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Volya Nikolaev (ranked 1099 p4p, 141 weight class) and Johnny Vegas (ranked 920 p4p, 113 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Nikolaev might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Fever . Volya Nikolaev could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Johnny Vegas's chin.

Nikolaev
vs
Vegas

170 cm
44
165 lbs
49 - 37 - 0

173 cm
31
161 lbs
21 - 7 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Conviction

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 - 37 - 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 21 - 7 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Johnny Vegas!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Phil Schofield and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikolaev loads up on a big right hand but Vegas slips the punch.
Nikolaev misses with a wild body shot.
It seemed like Vegas was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice shot by Vegas.
Danga de danga de dang - Nikolaev scores with a four punch combination!
Vegas keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vegas misses the jab.
Vegas lets loose with a powerful body kick. Nikolaev will feel that in the morning.
Nikolaev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Vegas.
Vegas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nikolaev misses with a wild body shot.
Nikolaev lands a jab to Vegas's midsection.
Vegas tries to bum rush Nikolaev with a series of wild strikes but Nikolaev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nikolaev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vegas manages to avoid it.
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 walks into a stiff left hand from Nikolaev.
Volya Nikolaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Nikolaev shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Vegas manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Vegas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev lands a couple of digs.
Nikolaev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Vegas being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolaev postures up.
Vegas pulls Nikolaev in close to prevent any damage.
Vegas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nikolaev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Vegas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nikolaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Vegas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nikolaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Vegas has wrist control.
Vegas pulls Nikolaev in close to prevent any damage.
Nikolaev postures up in Vegas's guard and throws a big left but Vegas blocks it.
Vegas wants to sweep but no luck.
Vegas seems keen to control Nikolaev's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Vegas lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nikolaev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vegas looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Vegas slaps away a takedown attempt from Nikolaev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Vegas throws a hook to the side of Nikolaev's head but Nikolaev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vegas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nikolaev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev throws a lazy right hand but Vegas sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nikolaev slips under a jab from Vegas.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Donk. Vegas catches Nikolaev right on the button with a cross.
A jab from Vegas misses.
Nikolaev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Johnny Vegas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nikolaev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Vegas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nikolaev.

Nikolaev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Vegas throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Vegas 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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikolaev throws a body punch but Vegas moves out of range.

Vegas moves into range and clinches up with Nikolaev.
Nikolaev can't get the takedown.
Nikolaev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Vegas blocks it with crossed arms.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nikolaev.
Vegas lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vegas.

Nikolaev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nikolaev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vegas missing with a left hand there. Nikolaev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nikolaev misses with a straight right.
Nikolaev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Vegas throws a good cross that connects.
Nikolaev misses with a takedown attempt - Vegas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vegas replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Nikolaev blocks it well.
Nikolaev scores with a jab to the head.
Vegas misses the jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Nikolaev scores with a four punch combination!
Nikolaev keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Vegas scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nikolaev misses with a hook.
Vegas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Vegas misses with a double jab.
Vegas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nikolaev.
Vegas connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nikolaev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Vegas looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nikolaev looks to land a left hand but Vegas moved out of range nicely.
Vegas fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nikolaev is out of range.
Nikolaev throws a body punch but Vegas moves out of range.
Vegas scores with the left hand. Nikolaev knows he should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Vegas dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nikolaev gets a double leg takedown into Vegas's guard.
Nikolaev works over Vegas with some ground and pound from guard.
Nikolaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Nikolaev looking to sit in guard and control but Vegas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nikolaev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vegas defends it easily.
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 had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vegas defends it easily.
Vegas showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nikolaev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vegas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nikolaev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Nikolaev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vegas is one step ahead there.
Nikolaev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Nikolaev is looking for a triangle but Vegas pushes his legs off easily.

Nikolaev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Vegas not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

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

Vegas stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nikolaev slips under a jab from Vegas.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nikolaev.
Nikolaev stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vegas.
A punch lands to the side of Nikolaev 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Vegas bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Vegas throws out a loose jab but Nikolaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice shot by Vegas.
A slow jab from Vegas misses its intended target.
Vegas digs a good body shot into Nikolaev's ribs.
Vegas throws a nice looking combination but Nikolaev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Vegas takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nikolaev connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nikolaev throws out a loose jab but Vegas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikolaev misses with a looping left.
Vegas punishes Nikolaev's body with a nice straight punch.
Vegas staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Vegas catches Nikolaev right on the button with a cross.
Vegas misses with a kick to the body.
Vegas misses with an uppercut.
Nikolaev misses with an uppercut.
A jab from Nikolaev does it's job there.
Nikolaev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vegas defends it nicely.
Nikolaev misses with a looping left.

Vegas has Nikolaev up against the cage in a clinch.
Vegas is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Still in the clinch, Vegas scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nikolaev has Vegas pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Vegas manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikolaev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Vegas to keep the fight standing.
Vegas lands with a left to the head.
Nikolaev tries to break free but Vegas pushes him back against the cage.
Nikolaev lands with a left to the head.
Vegas lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nikolaev backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikolaev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vegas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Vegas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vegas swings wildly with an uppercut but Nikolaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vegas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nikolaev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nikolaev tries to break free but Vegas pushes him back against the cage.
Nikolaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vegas throws a punch but it's blocked by Nikolaev.
Vegas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Nikolaev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Vegas gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nikolaev.
Vegas throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Nikolaev wants to get back to striking at distance but Vegas won't allow it.
Vegas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice right hand lands inside from Vegas.
Nikolaev is trying to break free.
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 time! 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.

Vegas cracks the inside of Nikolaev's front leg.
Nice uppercut lands for Nikolaev. That snapped Vegas's head back.
Vegas scores with a jab to the head.
Vegas takes one on the button.
Nikolaev staying out of range there.
Nikolaev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Vegas.

Vegas pushes Nikolaev up against the cage in a clinch.

Nikolaev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nikolaev throws out a loose jab but Vegas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vegas feints and then cracks Nikolaev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nikolaev down.
Vegas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Vegas walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nikolaev fails with the takedown.
Nikolaev shoots in for a takedown but Vegas shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vegas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vegas with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Vegas fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Vegas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nikolaev.
Vegas looks to land a right hand but Nikolaev moved out of range.
Nikolaev slips a jab from Vegas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vegas misses with a low kick.
Nikolaev's jab looks to have found its range, popping Vegas under the eye.
Vegas lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nikolaev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vegas.
Vegas cracks Nikolaev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Vegas moves out of range as Nikolaev strikes.
Vegas looks to land a right hand but Nikolaev moved out of range.
Johnny Vegas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nikolaev misses with a straight right.
Nikolaev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nikolaev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Vegas to score with a decent uppercut.
Vegas lands a nice shot that snaps Nikolaev's head back.
Vegas looks to land a combination but Nikolaev avoids it well.
Vegas lands an overhand right.
Vegas connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vegas scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nikolaev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vegas is fending him off so far but Nikolaev persists. Nope, Vegas circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volya Nikolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikolaev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Vegas counters with a stiff right hand.
Vegas scores with a hook.
Nikolaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vegas was well out of range. Poor timing from Nikolaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev shoots for a takedown but Vegas saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Vegas clinches up with Nikolaev and pushes him back against the cage.
Nikolaev goes for a takedown attempt but Vegas pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Vegas scores with a sloppy right hand. Nikolaev should have avoided that one.
Nikolaev throws a looping overhand right but Vegas ducks down to avoid it.
Nikolaev throws a body shot but no joy.
Nikolaev on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A right-left combo lands from Vegas.

Nikolaev is rocked!
Vegas misses with a straight left.
Oh Nikolaev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nikolaev needs to keep his hands up - Vegas had a free shot at his head there.
Nikolaev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A slow jab from Nikolaev misses its intended target.
A big right from Nikolaev misses.
Nikolaev throws a body shot but no joy.
Vegas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Vegas moves out of range as Nikolaev strikes.
Nice uppercut lands for Vegas. That snapped Nikolaev's head back.
Vegas moves away from the strike by Nikolaev.
Volya Nikolaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vegas slips a jab from Nikolaev.
Vegas listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nikolaev looks to land a right hand but Vegas moved out of range.
Vegas takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nikolaev connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nikolaev misses with a looping left.
Vegas misses with a series of wild punches.
Vegas cracks Nikolaev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Johnny Vegas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vegas connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nikolaev misses with a hook.
Vegas looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Vegas lands the left hand.
Vegas lands with a good body shot.
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!
Vegas misses with a double jab.
Vegas misses with a straight left.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nikolaev.
Nikolaev seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolaev throws a hook to the side of Vegas's head but Vegas sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vegas leaves Nikolaev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nikolaev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vegas bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nikolaev shoots in for a takedown but Vegas shows good takedown defense.
Nikolaev looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Vegas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Vegas lands a right hand.
Nikolaev wants to get back to striking at distance but Vegas won't allow it.
Vegas keeps control of Nikolaev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vegas lands an uppercut.
Nikolaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vegas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nikolaev wants a takedown.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Vegas lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Vegas!
Johnny Vegas thanked the fans post fight for their support.