PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alan Dzagoev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Daaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Daaz is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Meshuggah - Mind's Mirror. Daaz has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! Nick Daaz is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Dzagoev
vs
Daaz

183 cm
28
210 lbs
17 - 13 - 0

188 cm
25
215 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alan Dzagoev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nick Daaz!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Paulo Santos and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Dzagoev is predictable there
and Daaz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Daaz looks gassed!
Daaz blocks a leg kick.
Dzagoev is looking to score with low kicks.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick.
Dzagoev takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Dzagoev throws a low kick but it's checked well by Daaz.
Dzagoev tries to work over Daaz's front leg with a kick but Daaz checks it.
Dzagoev pivots, looking for a leg kick but Daaz is out of range and Dzagoev settles back down.
A low kick from Dzagoev misses
and Daaz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A low kick from Dzagoev misses
and Daaz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick

and Daaz counters by clinching up.
Daaz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dzagoev has had enough of the clinch but Daaz keeps him there for the moment.
Dzagoev tries to break free but Daaz pushes him back against the cage.
Daaz misses with a punch on the inside.
Daaz lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Dzagoev or not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzagoev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Daaz is working Dzagoev over against the cage.
Daaz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Daaz throws a punch but it's blocked by Dzagoev.
Daaz misses with the head strike.
Daaz scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Dzagoev working hard to break the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dzagoev.
Daaz throws a head punch that misses.
Daaz can't find room to land a body shot as Dzagoev controls the action.
Daaz misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Daaz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A nice left hand lands by Daaz.
Daaz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dzagoev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Daaz fails to land.
A short uppercut from Daaz.
Daaz keeps control of Dzagoev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Daaz misses with the head strike.
Daaz can't find room to land a body shot as Dzagoev controls the action.
Dzagoev prevents a body shot from Daaz.
Daaz lands a body punch.
Dzagoev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dzagoev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daaz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Daaz.
Dzagoev is trying to push Daaz away but Daaz has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dzagoev tries to circle away but Daaz has him pinned against the cage.
Dzagoev tries to break free but Daaz pushes him back against the cage.
Dzagoev is trying to break the clinch but Daaz has him pressed against the cage.
Daaz misses with some punches.
Daaz lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dzagoev backwards.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Daaz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dzagoev blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four 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.
Daaz tries to work over Dzagoev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Daaz.
Dzagoev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dzagoev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Daaz can't find room to land a body shot as Dzagoev controls the action.
Daaz misses with the head strike.
Dzagoev has had enough of the clinch but Daaz keeps him there for the moment.
Daaz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Daaz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dzagoev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Daaz swings wildly with an uppercut but Dzagoev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Daaz lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Daaz dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Daaz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Daaz misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Daaz.

Dzagoev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Daaz lands with an uppercut that bounces Dzagoev off the cage and back into rage.
Dzagoev throws a chopping leg kick but Daaz manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Dzagoev misses with a low kick.
Dzagoev misses with a low kick.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dzagoev slips a jab and a cross from Daaz.
A low kick from Dzagoev is predictable there
letting Daaz counter with a right hand.
Daaz moves out of range of the leg kick from Dzagoev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Dzagoev misses
and Daaz counters with a nice uppercut.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A low kick from Dzagoev is predictable there
and Daaz counters with a series of strikes. Dzagoev will be more careful next time no doubt.
Dzagoev tries to work over Daaz's front leg with a kick but Daaz checks it.
Dzagoev shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dzagoev tries a low kick but Daaz avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzagoev throws out a leg kick but Daaz moves out of range and Dzagoev only half commits.
Daaz throws a jab but it's blocked by Dzagoev.
Daaz checks a low kick from Dzagoev.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Daaz checks a leg kick.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Good work by Daaz as he checks the leg kick.
Dzagoev throws a front kick aimed at Daaz's knee but Daaz avoids it well.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a left to the body.
Daaz comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick but Daaz checks it.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Dzagoev thinking.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A low kick from Dzagoev is predictable there

and Daaz counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Daaz throws a head punch that misses.
Daaz softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Dzagoev tries to break free but Daaz pushes him back against the cage.

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.
Dzagoev can't break the clinch.
Dzagoev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dzagoev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Daaz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Daaz prevents Dzagoev from breaking the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Daaz.

Dzagoev manages to break the clinch.
Dzagoev misses with a low kick as Daaz jumps back.
Dzagoev throws a low kick but Daaz avoids it.
Daaz checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dzagoev throws out a leg kick but Daaz moves out of range and Dzagoev only half commits.
Daaz checks a leg kick.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Dzagoev tried to score with a low kick but Daaz checks it.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
letting Daaz counter with a right hand.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a left to the body.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a nice uppercut.
Dzagoev thows a leg kick but Daaz checks it
and Daaz counters with a three punch combo that has Dzagoev backing up. Dzagoev nods at Daaz to acknowledge the strikes.
Daaz checks a leg kick.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a stiff right hand.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a nice uppercut.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a right hand to the body.
Daaz checks the leg kick.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
letting Daaz counter with a right hand.
Dzagoev has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Daaz finds it's way round the side to connect with Dzagoev's head.
Alan Dzagoev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dzagoev moves out of range of the strikes.
Daaz blocks a low kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Daaz cracks Dzagoev with a right hand to the side of the head.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Daaz to counter with a crisp jab.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick that is checked
and Daaz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dzagoev tried to score with a low kick but Daaz checks it.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Dzagoev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dzagoev looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dzagoev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Daaz lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Dzagoev wants to slow Daaz down by chopping away at his legs.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Dzagoev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Daaz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Dzagoev's head backwards.
Daaz keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A low kick from Dzagoev is predictable there
and Daaz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Dzagoev thinking.
Daaz clobbers Dzagoev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick but Daaz checks it.
Dzagoev walks into a stiff left hand from Daaz.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Daaz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get 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.

A low kick from Dzagoev misses
letting Daaz counter with a right hand.
Dzagoev attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Dzagoev attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick

and Daaz counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Daaz.
Daaz has Dzagoev pressed against the cage, preventing Dzagoev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dzagoev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Daaz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dzagoev is looking to break free of the clinch but Daaz has double underhooks.
Dzagoev is looking to break free of the clinch but Daaz has double underhooks.
Daaz lands with a light punch inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Daaz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Daaz prevents Dzagoev from breaking the clinch.
Daaz misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daaz tries a body shot but Dzagoev blocks it.
Daaz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Daaz working aggressively here.
Dzagoev is trying to break the clinch but Daaz is controlling him.
Dzagoev is trying to push Daaz away but Daaz has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dzagoev tries to break free but Daaz pushes him back against the cage.
Daaz working aggressively here.
Daaz misses with some punches.
Dzagoev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dzagoev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dzagoev is looking to break free of the clinch but Daaz has double underhooks.
Dzagoev is trying to break the clinch but Daaz has him pressed against the cage.

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.
Dzagoev can't break the clinch.
Daaz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Dzagoev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Daaz checks a low kick from Dzagoev.
Daaz lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A looping hook to the body misses from Daaz. Dzagoev does a little dance to reset his feet.
A leg kick checked by Daaz.
Dzagoev wants to land a leg kick but Daaz is out of range.
Daaz checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Dzagoev walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Daaz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Dzagoev misses with a low kick.
Dzagoev thows a leg kick but Daaz checks it
and Daaz counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Dzagoev is looking to score with low kicks.
Daaz checks a low kick from Dzagoev.
Dzagoev defending well as Daaz loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick that is checked
and Daaz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dzagoev attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick

and Daaz counters by moving into the clinch.
Daaz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dzagoev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Dzagoev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Dzagoev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Daaz avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Dzagoev finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Daaz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Daaz checks a leg kick.
Dzagoev tries to land a leg kick but Daaz saw it coming and moves away.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick.
A low kick from Dzagoev misses
and Daaz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab from Daaz does it's job there.

That's four 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.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dzagoev shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Daaz lands a head shot.
Daaz throws a nice looking combination but Dzagoev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Daaz to counter with a crisp jab.
Daaz cracks a nice hook into Dzagoev's ribs.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Daaz scores with a decent looking hook.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick that misses.
Dzagoev thows a leg kick but Daaz checks it
and Daaz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Daaz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A low kick from Dzagoev is predictable there
and Daaz counters with a two punch combo.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a nice uppercut.
Dzagoev misses with a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a straight right hand.
A low kick from Dzagoev is predictable there
and Daaz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alan Dzagoev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nick Daaz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dzagoev throws a leg kick
and Daaz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A low kick from Dzagoev misses
and Daaz counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Daaz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Daaz 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Daaz!