PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Nabokov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Drake Tillman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nabokov comes to the cage accompanied by St1m - Ja Rap. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Nabokov
vs
Tillman

175 cm
22
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Stand Alone Fight Wear

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Nabokov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Drake Tillman!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nabokov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tillman slips a jab and a cross from Nabokov.
Tillman fails in his attempt to clinch.

Tillman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

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

Tillman is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Tillman trying to land knees to the body.

Nabokov gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nabokov is thwarting Tillman's attempts to control the position.
Tillman is looking to improve his position.
Tillman is looking to escape.
Tillman is pressing down on Nabokov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Tillman has his feet on Nabokov's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Nabokov misses with a few strikes there.

Nabokov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
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!
Nabokov trying to control but Tillman is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Nabokov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nabokov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nabokov lands a couple of digs.

Tillman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tillman looks gassed!
Nabokov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tillman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nabokov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Nabokov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tillman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tillman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nabokov manages to get himself to full guard.
Nabokov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nabokov tries to get out of the position.
Nabokov trying to control the position here.
Tillman works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tillman thows a huge punch but Nabokov dodges it nicely.
Tillman trying to pass the guard but Nabokov defending well.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tillman is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nabokov defends it well.
Nabokov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tillman.
Tillman is trying to control the action in half guard but Nabokov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nabokov is trying to get back to full guard.

Tillman is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nabokov is just riding it out for now. Tillman eventually gives up the hold.
Nabokov gets back to full guard.

Tillman stands and steps away. Nabokov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Nabokov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nabokov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nabokov swats away the attempt to clinch by Tillman.

Tillman looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Nabokov!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tillman is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Nabokov is surviving well by controlling Tillman's body position as best he can.

Tillman stands up from mount. Strange move.

Tillman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nabokov sprawls well initially but Tillman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Tillman thows a huge punch but Nabokov dodges it nicely.
Tillman blocks the strikes from Nabokov.
Nabokov is looking for a sweep. Tillman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Tillman is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nabokov defends it well.
Nabokov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nabokov trying to control from the bottom.

Nabokov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nabokov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nabokov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Nabokov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tillman manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tillman wants to sweep here but Nabokov controlling him for the moment.

Tillman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nabokov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nabokov preventing the sweep.
Nabokov throws a big right hand that misses.
Nabokov passes into half guard.
Nabokov is pressing down on Tillman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tillman is holding on for now.
Nabokov is tying to control. Tillman wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nabokov passes the guard and advances to mount!
Nabokov avoids the attempt from Tillman to control.
Nabokov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Tillman is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Drake Tillman will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nabokov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Danga de danga de dang - Nabokov scores with a four punch combination!
The fight stays on the outside here - Tillman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tillman tries to clinch but Nabokov moves out of range.
Nabokov misses with a wild combination.
Tillman slips a jab and a cross from Nabokov.
Nabokov shoots in and drives through. Tillman sprawls well.
Tillman tries to clinch up but Nabokov circles away and keeps his distance.
Nabokov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nabokov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tillman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nabokov moves away.
Tillman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nabokov shoots and misses

and Tillman counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Nabokov!
Drake Tillman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tillman fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Nabokov gets back to half guard.
Nabokov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tillman's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tillman's back!
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!
Tillman trying to get back to his feet but Nabokov is in full control for now.
Tillman is breathing heavily.
Nabokov is controlling the position but Tillman somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.

Nabokov seems to be working for a kimura but Tillman defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Nabokov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nabokov drops an elbow to the side of Tillman's head.
Tillman tries to kick Nabokov off but Nabokov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nabokov wants to take a breather but Tillman is having none of it.
Tillman misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Nabokov prevents Tillman from standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nabokov passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Tillman!
Nabokov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Tillman regains half guard.
Tillman makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tillman.

Tillman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tillman throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Tillman is trying to keep Nabokov in close.

Nabokov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tillman throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tillman is on top in guard.
Tillman forces his way into half guard.
Tillman passes to full mount!
Tillman landing punches.
Tillman has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tillman stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Nabokov shoots for a double leg takedown but Tillman sprawls well. He's pushed Nabokov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergey Nabokov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tillman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nabokov looks to land a combination. Tillman sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Nabokov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tillman sprawls well initially but Nabokov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Nabokov wants to control but Tillman is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tillman wants to get back to full guard.
Nabokov wants to pass the guard but Tillman is defending well.
Tillman is trying to stand.
Tillman gets full guard.

Nabokov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tillman keeping moving, preventing Nabokov from controlling successfully.

Tillman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tillman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nabokov tries to free his leg and advance position but Tillman is retaining full guard.
Tillman looking to control.
Tillman keeping moving, preventing Nabokov from controlling successfully.
Nabokov wants to pass the guard but Tillman is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nabokov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tillman's waist but Tillman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nabokov off to one side.
Nabokov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nabokov misses with a double jab.
A punch combination from Nabokov misses.
Tillman stuffs the takedown.
Nabokov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tillman moves in looking to clinch but Nabokov pushes him off.
Nabokov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nabokov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sergey Nabokov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tillman is looking to clinch but Nabokov is avoiding it.
Nabokov misses with a two punch combination.
Nabokov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tillman circles away.
Nabokov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tillman but Tillman pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Nabokov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nabokov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Nabokov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nabokov preventing the sweep.

Nabokov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Tillman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Nabokov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nabokov lands with a nice combination. Tillman backs away looking to recover.
Nabokov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Tillman misses with a takedown attempt

and Nabokov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nabokov wants to pass the guard but Tillman is keeping the position.
Nabokov trying to control but Tillman is working from the bottom.
Nabokov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tillman is keeping the position for now.

Tillman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nabokov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nabokov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nabokov preventing the sweep.
Nabokov passes Tillman's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Nabokov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tillman keeps working.

Nabokov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tillman defends it well.

Tillman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tillman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nabokov sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Tillman kicks off Nabokov and gets to his feet.
Nabokov throws a series of punches but Tillman moves out of range.
Tillman tries to clinch up

and Nabokov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tillman won't be happy with that.
Nabokov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Nabokov wants to control but Tillman is keeping him busy.
Tillman tries to buck Nabokov off but Nabokov is having none of it.
Tillman manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nabokov's best efforts.
Tillman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Nabokov trying to control the position from guard on top but Tillman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nabokov controlling from the top position.
Nabokov throws a strike but Tillman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tillman advances position into side control!
Nabokov tries to buck Tillman off but Tillman is having none of it.
Tillman is looking to take a break and control but Nabokov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nabokov gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Tillman wants to control the pace but Nabokov is squirming around nicely.
Tillman prevents Nabokov from getting the reversal.
Tillman avoids the attempt from Nabokov to control.

Tillman is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Nabokov is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Nabokov flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Tillman anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Nabokov and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Tillman slips an arm under Nabokov chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Tillman has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Tillman is squeezing on Nabokov like an anaconda would it's prey. Nabokov fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:04 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Drake Tillman!