PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Russki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nogueira comes into the arena with Gimme Shelter blaring out of the sound system. Russki has chosen BOOM as his entrance music. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rodrigo Nogueira
vs
Russki

191 cm
22
240 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
240 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Diamond Design Clothing
Predator Nutrition 140 Q!!!!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Russki!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Fedor Mirinova and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nogueira defending well as Russki loads up on a big left hand.
Russki moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Russki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Russki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nogueira tries to bum rush Russki with a series of wild strikes but Russki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nikolai Russki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nogueira lands a slapping body shot.
Nogueira throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice sprawl there from Russki as Nogueira shoots in.
Russki misses with a combination
and Nogueira counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Russki has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nogueira blocking some punches.
Nogueira wants to break free but Russki has control.
A nice left hand lands by Russki.
Russki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Russki looks gassed!
Russki prevents Nogueira from breaking the clinch.

Russki drags the fight down to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nogueira wants to control from the top but Russki keeps moving.
Nogueira slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russki is not content to let Nogueira control the position.

Nogueira is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russki looks like he's trying to stand up.
Russki is looking for a sweep. Nogueira is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Nogueira looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Russki is not content to let Nogueira control the position.

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.

Nogueira is working for a kimura but Russki is defending it quite comfortably.
Nogueira is trying to control the action in half guard but Russki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Nogueira is looking for a kimura but Russki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Nogueira to get the leverage.

Nogueira seems to be working for a kimura but Russki defends the submission attempt.

Nogueira looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nogueira passes into half guard.
Russki trying to control from the bottom.
Russki really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nogueira. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Nogueira is trying to control the action in half guard but Russki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Russki is defending against the submission attempts here by Nogueira.
Russki gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Nogueira drops back looking for a leg! Russki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Russki manages to kick Nogueira off! Nogueira jumps back into Russki's guard.
Nogueira postures up.
Nogueira trying to control but Russki is working from the bottom.
Russki 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.
Russki is striking off his back. Nogueira thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Russki wants to control but Nogueira is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Russki looks to land a combination but Nogueira avoids it well.
Nogueira swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Russki misses with a two punch combination.
Russki throws a combination that misses
and Nogueira counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nogueira scores with a crisp jab that stopped Russki in his tracks.
Russki tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nogueira paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nogueira connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nogueira tries for a takedown but Russki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Nogueira as he connects with a hook.
Nogueira throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nogueira throws a body kick that misses.
Russki misses with a double jab
and Nogueira counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Russki is breathing heavily.
Russki throws a leg kick but Nogueira checks it.
A jab from Russki misses.
Russki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Russki misses with a combination
and Nogueira counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Russki thinking.
Nogueira shoots in but Russki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nogueira closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Nogueira is looking to take a break and control but Russki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Russki 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.
Nogueira tries to advance to mount but can't.

Nogueira working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Nogueira wants to control but Russki is keeping him busy.
Russki struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Russki is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Russki is looking for a sweep.
Russki is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Nogueira seems to be working for a kimura but Russki defends the submission attempt.
Nogueira prevents Russki from improving his position.
Nogueira trying to control from half guard but Russki is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira wants to get back to his feet.
Russki is trying to maintain the position but Nogueira is very close to passing his half guard.

Nogueira is working for a submission of some sort.

Nogueira is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Russki throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Russki wants to clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Russki.
Nogueira steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Russki.
Nogueira lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nogueira.
Russki stuffs the takedown attempt from Nogueira. Nogueira gets slowly back to his feet.
Russki misses with a double jab
and Nogueira counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nogueira tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Russki swivels and escapes.
Russki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nogueira moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Russki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Russki throws a sloppy body shot

and Nogueira counters with a nice double leg into side control. Russki won't be happy with that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nogueira has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Nogueira trying to control but Russki is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Nogueira avoids the attempt from Russki to control.
Nogueira looking to control but Russki is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Nogueira is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Nogueira extends the arm and Russki is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!