PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tornado Killer (ranked 4769 p4p, 4880 weight class) and Nikoly Nurmagomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 445 weight class). The key to victory for Tornado Killer has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Killer
vs
Nurmagomedov

185 cm
22
154
0 - 1 - 0

177 cm
23
155
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tornado Killer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nikoly Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Killer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nurmagomedov's waist but Nurmagomedov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Killer off to one side.
Killer looks for a takedown but Nurmagomedov sprawls well.

Killer closes the distance and clinches.
Killer holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Nurmagomedov slowing the pace effectively.

Nurmagomedov has Killer pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Nurmagomedov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Killer tumbling to the mat - Nurmagomedov dives into Killer's guard.
Nurmagomedov looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Killer wants to stand but Nurmagomedov is controlling the position.
Nurmagomedov stopping the sweep attempt from Killer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Killer thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Nurmagomedov stays in close to Killer's body and controls the position.
Nurmagomedov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Killer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nurmagomedov is looking to score with low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov blocks a head kick by Killer.

Killer tries to keep at a distance but Nurmagomedov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nurmagomedov tries to land a knee to the head but Killer blocks with his arms.

Killer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nurmagomedov stuffs the takedown attempt from Killer. Killer gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tornado Killer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nurmagomedov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Killer is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Killer pulls Nurmagomedov in close to prevent any damage.
Nurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Killer keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Killer has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Nurmagomedov has passed into side control.
The referee asks Nurmagomedov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Nurmagomedov prefers to stall for the moment though.
Killer tries to buck Nurmagomedov off but Nurmagomedov is having none of it.

That's four 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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nurmagomedov tries to move to mount but Killer blocks the move with his legs.
Killer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Killer gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Killer tries to lock up and control but Nurmagomedov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Nurmagomedov scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Nurmagomedov landing punches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov controlling the position easily from mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikoly Nurmagomedov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Killer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Nurmagomedov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Killer pushes Nurmagomedov off but Nurmagomedov dives into side control.
Nurmagomedov working the head with strikes.
Nurmagomedov in side control, throwing shots but Killer defends.
Killer is letting Nurmagomedov control him for a moment.
Nurmagomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Killer keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Killer is looking to regain half guard here but Nurmagomedov keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Killer is not content to let Nurmagomedov control the position.
Nurmagomedov staying calm.
Killer dodges the ground and pound from Nurmagomedov.

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.
Killer tries to improve position but can't.
Nurmagomedov grinds an elbow into Killer's temple.
Killer is looking to regain half guard here but Nurmagomedov keeps moving and retains side control.
Killer wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Nurmagomedov trying to control the action but Killer is working from the bottom.

Nurmagomedov decides to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Killer wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Killer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nurmagomedov.
A clash of legs there as Nurmagomedov blocks the low kick.

Nurmagomedov darts in and clinches Killer up against the cage.

Nurmagomedov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Nurmagomedov moves into the clinch successfully.
Nurmagomedov stalls.

Nurmagomedov wants the takedown. Killer is fighting it off but Nurmagomedov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Killer's guard against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Killer trying to keep a closed guard but Nurmagomedov is proving a slippery customer.

Killer looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Nurmagomedov passes into side control.

Nurmagomedov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Killer knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position but Killer is working away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikoly Nurmagomedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nurmagomedov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Killer keeping moving, preventing Nurmagomedov from controlling successfully.
Nurmagomedov advances to half guard.
Nurmagomedov working Killer over with strikes.
Nurmagomedov stops Killer from getting back to his feet.
Killer tries to roll over but Nurmagomedov keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nurmagomedov lands a nice short elbow.
Nurmagomedov wants to take a breather but Killer is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Killer haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Nurmagomedov is controlling the pace.
Killer is trying to control but can't.
Killer is refusing to be controlled, as Nurmagomedov sits in half guard.
Killer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov throws a right and a left that Killer avoids nicely.
Killer wants to clinch up but Nurmagomedov keeps it at a distance.
Nurmagomedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A head kick misses from Nurmagomedov.
Killer misses with a takedown

and Nurmagomedov counters by clinching up.
Nurmagomedov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Killer's efforts to push away.

Nurmagomedov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nurmagomedov wants to land a leg kick but Killer is out of range.
Killer moves out of range of the body kick from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Tornado Killer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Killer tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nurmagomedov is in Killer's guard.
Killer working a defensive guard but Nurmagomedov passes into half guard.

Nurmagomedov stands up from half guard.

Nurmagomedov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Killer was covering up waiting for the punch and Nurmagomedov finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Killer pushes Nurmagomedov off and gets back to his feet.

Nurmagomedov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Killer was covering up waiting for the punch and Nurmagomedov finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Killer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurmagomedov is one step ahead there.
Nurmagomedov slips nicely into half guard.
Nurmagomedov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Nikoly Nurmagomedov has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov is nestled in close to Killer, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikoly 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikoly Nurmagomedov!