PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cesare Borgia (ranked 778 p4p, 896 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 108 p4p, 122 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Borgia might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Eye Of The Tiger. Nurmagomedov has chosen Dagestan (Remix) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. This should be a great matchup!

Borgia
vs
Nurmagomedov

175 cm
28
169
18 - 9 - 0

178 cm
38
175
27 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

HELLBENT

HELLBENT
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cesare Borgia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Ron Honeybunn and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Borgia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurmagomedov moves away.
Borgia needs to keep his hands up - Nurmagomedov had a free shot at his head there.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Borgia misses with a jab to the body
and Nurmagomedov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Borgia as Nurmagomedov shoots in.
A jab from Nurmagomedov does it's job there.
Borgia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range of the strikes.
Nurmagomedov throws a body punch but Borgia moves out of range.
Borgia throws a lazy right hand but Nurmagomedov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nurmagomedov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Borgia jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A big right from Nurmagomedov misses.
Borgia attempts a counter takedown but Nurmagomedov avoids it well and moves away.
Nurmagomedov cracks Borgia with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Borgia shows good takedown defense.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice hook to Borgia's body. Borgia takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Borgia misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgia misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov throws a counter combo.
Nurmagomedov scores with a jab to the head.
Borgia avoids the body shot from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range as Borgia strikes.
Borgia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And Nurmagomedov tries to counter it with a takedown but Borgia pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nurmagomedov drops his hands momentarily and Borgia takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nurmagomedov swings for the body but Borgia moves out of range.
We've been informed that Nurmagomedov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Borgia throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurmagomedov is looking to clinch.
Nurmagomedov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Borgia moves away.
Borgia lands with an overhand left.
Borgia closes the distance and clinches up with Nurmagomedov, looking for a takedown. Borgia pushes Nurmagomedov against the cage but Nurmagomedov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Nurmagomedov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nurmagomedov lands in his opponent's guard.
Nurmagomedov throws a big right hand that misses.
Nurmagomedov with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes from guard but Borgia blocks nicely.

Nurmagomedov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nurmagomedov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nurmagomedov scoring with some ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov content to stall in guard here.
Nurmagomedov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Borgia working for a triangle but Nurmagomedov defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borgia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nurmagomedov looking to pass the guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Nurmagomedov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nurmagomedov stopping the sweep attempt from Borgia.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Borgia misses with a wild body shot.
Nurmagomedov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Borgia rather than just go for the knockout.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot.
Borgia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurmagomedov moves away.
Nurmagomedov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Borgia doesn't seem bothered though.
Borgia fails with the takedown.
Nurmagomedov doesn't manage to clinch there - Borgia circles away.
A slow jab from Nurmagomedov misses its intended target.
Nurmagomedov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Borgia sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nurmagomedov somewhat.
Cesare Borgia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov throws a big shot that misses.
It looked like Borgia was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov shoots in and bounces Borgia off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Borgia wants to hit a sweep here but Nurmagomedov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Borgia there!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nurmagomedov defending well as Borgia loads up on a big left hand.

Borgia drives through with a takedown into Nurmagomedov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Borgia wants to control from the top but Nurmagomedov keeps moving.
Nurmagomedov is trying to keep Borgia in close.
Borgia seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Nurmagomedov keeping moving, preventing Borgia from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borgia working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nurmagomedov's head.
Borgia trying to control but Nurmagomedov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgia is really struggling to control Nurmagomedov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Borgia looking to pass the guard.
Nurmagomedov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Borgia looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Borgia wants to control the position but Nurmagomedov says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Borgia trying to control from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Borgia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nurmagomedov controlling the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nice strikes from Nurmagomedov there.
Borgia manages to get to full guard.
Nurmagomedov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Nurmagomedov scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borgia keeping moving, preventing Nurmagomedov from controlling successfully.
Borgia wants to sweep but no luck.
Borgia looking to control.
Nurmagomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Borgia is retaining full guard.
Nurmagomedov lands a couple of digs.
Borgia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurmagomedov is one step ahead there.
Nurmagomedov stands up over Borgia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nurmagomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Borgia is retaining full guard.
Nurmagomedov throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.
Nurmagomedov connects with a body shot.

Borgia throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nurmagomedov was covering up waiting for the punch and Borgia finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Nurmagomedov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Borgia manages to get himself to full guard.

Nurmagomedov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Nurmagomedov won't allow Borgia to sweep him here.
Nurmagomedov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Borgia wants to sweep here but Nurmagomedov controlling him for the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Borgia is trying to control the position but Nurmagomedov postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Khabib Nurmagomedov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! 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.

Borgia gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Borgia ducks under a wild hook from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov looks to throw the jab but Borgia is out of range.
Nurmagomedov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nurmagomedov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch up but Borgia circles away and keeps his distance.
Nurmagomedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice shot to the body.

Nurmagomedov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nurmagomedov lands in his opponent's guard.
Nurmagomedov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borgia has his hands on Nurmagomedov's head, controlling the position.
Borgia tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Borgia is trying to keep Nurmagomedov in close.

Nurmagomedov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Borgia has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nurmagomedov has managed to get both his arms back between Borgia's legs - danger averted.
Borgia bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nurmagomedov's guard.

Borgia throws a strike but Nurmagomedov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Borgia throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nurmagomedov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Borgia looking for a sweep. Not yet Borgia, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nurmagomedov postures up.
Borgia 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.

Nurmagomedov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Borgia tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borgia is working hard here to advance position.
Nurmagomedov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Borgia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nurmagomedov scoring with some ground and pound.
Cesare Borgia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Borgia not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Borgia 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nurmagomedov avoids the body shot from Borgia.
A left lands for Nurmagomedov.
Borgia stuffs the takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov gets slowly back to his feet.

Nurmagomedov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Nurmagomedov remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borgia tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Borgia manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nurmagomedov's best efforts.
Nurmagomedov controlling the pace.
Borgia misses with some strikes from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov wants to pass to mount but Borgia is defending the position.
Nurmagomedov slows the pace down in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagomedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nurmagomedov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

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