PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Ebbitt (ranked 5077 p4p, 588 weight class) and Hector Numagodov (ranked 5572 p4p, 637 weight class). Ebbitt comes to the cage accompanied by Ain't No Sunshine. Numagodov has chosen Daft Punk - Contact as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Ebbitt
vs
Numagodov

175 cm
24
178 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

180 cm
21
180 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy Ebbitt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hector Numagodov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ebbitt misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ebbitt throws a combination that misses
and Numagodov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A shot to the body from Ebbitt misses

and Numagodov moves into the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Numagodov.

Numagodov drags the fight down to the ground.
Numagodov keeping full guard, as Ebbitt tries to pass.
Numagodov 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.
Ebbitt lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Numagodov is trying to control the position but Ebbitt postures up.
Ebbitt looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ebbitt wants to control from the top but Numagodov keeps moving.
Ebbitt with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ebbitt preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ebbitt advances position into side control!
Numagodov is looking for a sweep.
Numagodov defending against the ground and pound.
Numagodov is not content to let Ebbitt control the position.
Numagodov struggling a bit here.
Numagodov tries to buck Ebbitt off but Ebbitt is having none of it.
Numagodov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Numagodov is looking to escape.
Ebbitt prevents Numagodov from improving his position.
Numagodov is staying active underneath Ebbitt, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ebbitt has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ebbitt lands with a punch from half guard.
Numagodov looks like he's trying to stand up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ebbitt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Ebbitt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Numagodov's head.
Numagodov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Numagodov actively working from the bottom here.

Ebbitt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Numagodov taking some punishment here, with Ebbitt in his half guard.
Numagodov manages to get to full guard.

Numagodov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Numagodov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Numagodov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've been hearing good reports from Ebbitt's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ebbitt won't allow Numagodov to sweep him here.
Numagodov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Ebbitt working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Numagodov's head.
Ebbitt content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ebbitt is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Numagodov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ebbitt passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Ebbitt thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Numagodov is looking for a sweep.
Numagodov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ebbitt. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ebbitt in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Ebbitt tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ebbitt creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Numagodov is not content to let Ebbitt control the position.
Numagodov controls the position for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ebbitt avoids the strikes from the bottom by Numagodov.
Ebbitt lands a nice forearm strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Ebbitt dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ebbitt misses with a few strikes there.
Numagodov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ebbitt.
Numagodov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Numagodov clinches up against the cage.
Numagodov pushes Ebbitt back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Ebbitt successfully pulls guard.
Numagodov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ebbitt has momentary wrist control but Numagodov slips an elbow through the middle.
Numagodov throws a strike but Ebbitt rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Numagodov wants to sweep here but Ebbitt controlling him for the moment.
Ebbitt trying to control but Numagodov is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Numagodov trying to keep a closed guard but Ebbitt is proving a slippery customer.
Numagodov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Numagodov keeping moving, preventing Ebbitt from controlling successfully.
Ebbitt stands up over Numagodov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Numagodov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ebbitt's guard.

Numagodov passes Ebbitt's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ebbitt is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Numagodov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ebbitt wants to get back to full guard.
Numagodov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ebbitt works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ebbitt working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Numagodov.
Numagodov landing with the ground and pound.
Numagodov wants to pass the guard but Ebbitt is keeping the position.
Numagodov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ebbitt looking for a guillotine here but Numagodov defends easily.
Numagodov throwing strikes from guard but Ebbitt blocks nicely.
Numagodov throws a strike but Ebbitt rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Numagodov looking for a sweep. Not yet Numagodov, not yet.
Ebbitt passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Numagodov gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ebbitt blocks the strikes from Numagodov.
Ebbitt tries to pass the half guard into mount. Numagodov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ebbitt is working hard here to advance position.
Ebbitt is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Numagodov can do to turn this around?
Numagodov is staying active underneath Ebbitt, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Numagodov is trying to stand back up but Ebbitt is controlling him
Numagodov is trying to get back to full guard.
Numagodov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Ebbitt decides to stand and escape the position.
Ebbitt swings for the body but Numagodov moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Numagodov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ebbitt fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Numagodov is out of range.

Numagodov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ebbitt is trying to get back to half guard.
Ebbitt is not content to let Numagodov control the position.
Numagodov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Ebbitt down.

Numagodov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ebbitt has escaped the position, nice work there.
Ebbitt is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tommy Ebbitt will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ebbitt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ebbitt throws a hook but Numagodov avoids it easily.
Ebbitt looks to land a combination. Numagodov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Numagodov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
No joy there for Ebbitt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tommy Ebbitt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Numagodov tries to clinch up but Ebbitt circles away and keeps his distance.

Numagodov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Ebbitt manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Numagodov jumps guard.
Ebbitt pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Numagodov is keeping the position for now.
Numagodov working a defensive guard here.
Ebbitt trying to control but Numagodov is working from the bottom.
Numagodov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ebbitt pushes down on Numagodov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Numagodov is pressing down on Ebbitt's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Numagodov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Numagodov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ebbitt is one step ahead there.
Numagodov throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Ebbitt pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Numagodov is keeping the position for now.
Numagodov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ebbitt looking to sit in guard and control but Numagodov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Numagodov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ebbitt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Numagodov is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Numagodov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ebbitt dives on top into guard.

Ebbitt preventing the sweep.
Ebbitt trying to control the position from guard on top but Numagodov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ebbitt gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Numagodov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ebbitt defends well and Numagodov ends up having to push Ebbitt into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Donk. Ebbitt catches Numagodov right on the button with a cross.
Numagodov dives in and grabs Ebbitt's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ebbitt pushes down on Numagodov's head and hops out.
Tommy Ebbitt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hector Numagodov.
Ebbitt throws a right and a left that Numagodov avoids nicely.
Numagodov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ebbitt circles away.
A punch combination from Ebbitt misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ebbitt digs a good body shot into Numagodov's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ebbitt throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Numagodov avoids the body shot from Ebbitt.
Numagodov fails with the takedown.
Numagodov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Numagodov scores with a takedown into Ebbitt's guard.
Numagodov is working Ebbitt over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Numagodov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Ebbitt looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Numagodov passes into half guard.
Numagodov is looking to take a break and control but Ebbitt is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Numagodov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hector Numagodov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Numagodov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ebbitt moves into full guard.
Ebbitt throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Numagodov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Numagodov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ebbitt not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Numagodov landing with the ground and pound.
Numagodov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy Ebbitt showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ebbitt, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Ebbitt!
A very excited looking Tommy Ebbitt rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.