PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mamed Khalidovv (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rodrigo Nogueira
vs
Khalidovv

180 cm
29
176 lbs
16 - 12 - 1

195 cm
25
200 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mamed Khalidovv!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Saam Ante and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nogueira tries to bum rush Khalidovv with a series of wild strikes but Khalidovv uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Horrible takedown by Nogueira or perhaps it was just good defense by Khalidovv which made him look bad.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Nogueira shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Khalidovv's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Khalidovv working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nogueira doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nogueira manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Khalidovv is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nogueira defends well.

Khalidovv has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nogueira can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nogueira is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khalidovv working for a triangle but Nogueira defends it easily.

Khalidovv is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Khalidovv looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Khalidovv throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Nogueira escapes and throws Khalidovv's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Khalidovv tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nogueira wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovv keeps trying to improve his position.
Nogueira content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Khalidovv tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira controls the position from side control.
Khalidovv is trying to control Nogueira's posture but Nogueira avoids it.
Khalidovv is looking to reverse the position.
Khalidovv is still trying to improve position.
Nogueira trying to control the action but Khalidovv is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovv gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Khalidovv tries to roll over but Nogueira keeps him under control.
Khalidovv is refusing to be controlled, as Nogueira sits in half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Khalidovv is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nogueira pulls his head out easily.
Nogueira content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Khalidovv dominated that round.
That's time! Nogueira's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Khalidovv closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Khalidovv lands in his opponent's guard.
Nogueira might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nogueira controls Khalidovv momentarily but Khalidovv frees himself.
Nogueira controlling the position.
Nogueira has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Khalidovv drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Khalidovv jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nogueira lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Khalidovv!
Khalidovv slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Khalidovv wants to control but Nogueira is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidovv gets back to full guard.

Khalidovv working for a triangle but Nogueira defends it easily.
Khalidovv looking for a sweep. Not yet Khalidovv, not yet.

Khalidovv has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nogueira can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Khalidovv looking for a guillotine here but Nogueira defends easily.
Nogueira content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khalidovv is looking for a triangle but Nogueira pushes his legs off easily.
Nogueira stays in close to Khalidovv's body and controls the position.

Nogueira avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Khalidovv looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Nogueira has picked Khalidovv up and slammed him! Khalidovv can't keep hold of the triangle and Nogueira manages to pass to side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Khalidovv tries to improve position but can't.
Khalidovv struggling a bit here.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Khalidovv is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Khalidovv gets back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Khalidovv looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Khalidovv showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Khalidovv has managed to clinch.

Khalidovv is trying to trip Nogueira. He has hold of a leg but Nogueira is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Khalidovv persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Nogueira wants to sweep here but Khalidovv controlling him for the moment.
Mamed Khalidovv has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nogueira bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Khalidovv's guard.

Khalidovv working for a triangle but Nogueira defends it easily.
Khalidovv being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khalidovv is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nogueira defends well.
Nogueira's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Khalidovv looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira trying to control the position from guard on top but Khalidovv is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Khalidovv is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nogueira defends well.
Nogueira preventing the sweep.
Khalidovv can't keep his opponent in guard - Nogueira advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khalidovv looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nogueira has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Khalidovv tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Khalidovv is squirming around, avoiding Nogueira's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovv is trying desperately to improve position.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Khalidovv is just holding on here. Nogueira manages to take his back.
Nogueira has the hooks in. Khalidovv is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nogueira struggling to land strikes to the head as Khalidovv covers up.
Khalidovv is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mamed Khalidovv.
I've got Khalidovv winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 28:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mamed Khalidovv!