PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Diego Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Suloev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Nogueira
vs
Suloev

185 cm
23
210 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
205 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Diego Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Suloev!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Vladimir Khabensky and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Suloev throws a one two combo.
Suloev misses with a two punch combination.
Suloev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nogueira as he avoids it easily.
Suloev scores with a nice right hand.
Suloev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nogueira fails to land the takedown.
Suloev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nogueira circles away.

Suloev gets a takedown into half guard.
Suloev perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nogueira moves into full guard.

Nogueira looking for a guillotine here but Suloev defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nogueira wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira is working hard here to advance position.
Nogueira keeping moving, preventing Suloev from controlling successfully.
Nogueira can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Suloev controls the pace.
Suloev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nogueira is keeping the position for now.
Suloev slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Nogueira wants to stand but Suloev is controlling the position.
Nogueira thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

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

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nogueira shoots for a takedown but Suloev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Suloev looks to land a combination. Nogueira sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Nogueira shoots in and bounces Suloev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Nogueira scoring with some ground and pound.
Nogueira preventing the sweep.
Suloev has a closed guard, preventing Nogueira from standing up.
Nogueira wants to stand and escape but instead Suloev has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Suloev trying to control the position from guard on top but Nogueira is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Suloev is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Suloev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nogueira. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira has his foot on Suloev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Suloev works his way back into a safe position though.
Suloev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Nogueira wants to sweep here but Suloev controlling him for the moment.
Nogueira is breathing heavily.
Suloev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Suloev won't allow Nogueira to sweep him here.
Nogueira lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Suloev!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Suloev is working to get back to half guard.
Suloev tries to lock up and control but Nogueira gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Nogueira stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Suloev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nogueira moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nogueira wants to clinch.

Nogueira feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Nogueira drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Suloev manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Nogueira has Suloev in his guard.
Suloev trying to control but Nogueira is working from the bottom.
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 Diego Nogueira will probably get the nod.
That's time! Nogueira's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Suloev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nogueira misses with a takedown
and Suloev counters with a left and a right that stings Nogueira.
No luck for Nogueira with that takedown attempt.
Nogueira stuffs the takedown attempt from Suloev. Suloev gets slowly back to his feet.
Nogueira gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Suloev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Nogueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Suloev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Diego Nogueira is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice takedown defense from Nogueira. No joy for Suloev on that attempt.
Nogueira doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Suloev counters with a one-two to the body.
Nogueira avoids a punch combination nicely.
Suloev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nogueira circles away quickly and effectively.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Nogueira shoots in and bounces Suloev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Suloev can do anything to dispel that myth.
Nogueira wants to stand but Suloev is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Suloev pushes Nogueira off and gets back to his feet.
Suloev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Nice uppercut lands for Suloev. That snapped Nogueira's head back.
Nogueira takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Suloev looks for a takedown but Nogueira sprawls well.

Suloev gets caught flat footed, as Nogueira shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Nogueira drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Suloev dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira striking off his back but it's not causing Suloev any problems.
Suloev stopping the sweep attempt from Nogueira.
Suloev sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nogueira lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Suloev!
Suloev is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suloev wants to hold on but Nogueira pushes him away.
Nogueira scoring with strikes but Suloev is staying in there.
Suloev is looking to get to half guard.
Suloev is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Nogueira looking for a guillotine from mount but Suloev is having none of it.

Nogueira goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Suloev is on top in guard.
Suloev is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Suloev trying to control but Nogueira is working from the bottom.
Nogueira is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nogueira throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Nogueira looking to hit a scissor sweep but Suloev is one step ahead there.

Nogueira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
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 Diego Nogueira will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Suloev pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Nogueira closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nogueira lands in his opponent's guard.

Nogueira drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Suloev dives on top into guard.
Diego Nogueira overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Suloev sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Nogueira throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Nogueira pushes Suloev off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suloev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Suloev moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A clash of legs there as Suloev blocks the low kick.
Nogueira tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Suloev counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nogueira lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Suloev keeps Nogueira at a distance using the push kick.

Suloev instigates a clinch.

Suloev manages to break the clinch.
Suloev throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nogueira.
Suloev has a takedown stuffed.
Suloev throws a head kick but Nogueira moves out of range.
Nogueira fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Suloev lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nogueira doesn't seem phased though.
A combination from Nogueira does no damage.
Suloev shoots in for a takedown but Nogueira shows good takedown defense.
A nice leg kick lands there from Suloev.
Suloev keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Suloev scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Suloev connects with a looping right hand.
Nogueira fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Suloev throws a combination. Nogueira tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Suloev moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Suloev throws a right and a left that Nogueira avoids nicely.
Suloev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nogueira circles away quickly and effectively.
Diego Nogueira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nogueira looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Suloev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Suloev shoots in looking for a takedown. Nogueira tries to sprawl out of it but Suloev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nogueira manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Diego Nogueira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Suloev.
Nogueira looks to clinch

and Suloev counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Nogueira!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suloev takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Suloev tries to control but Nogueira wriggling away.
Nogueira is in all sorts of trouble here.
Suloev trying to control but Nogueira is having none of it.
Nogueira is looking to get to half guard.
Suloev won't let Nogueira get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Suloev looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nogueira is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sergei Suloev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nogueira sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Nogueira landing a few short strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nogueira throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Suloev manages to pass to side control.
Suloev postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergei Suloev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nogueira has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!