PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 3558 p4p, 318 weight class) and Vika Partio (ranked 5109 p4p, 414 weight class). Partio has chosen Boom! as his entrance music. 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.

Nurmagomedov
vs
Partio

177 cm
25
156 lbs
11 - 6 - 1

171 cm
24
158 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vika Partio!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Donald Grub and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Partio misses.
Nurmagomedov fails with a takedown attempt.

Nurmagomedov clinches up with Partio and pushes him back against the cage.
Nurmagomedov has Partio pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Partio manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Partio working aggressively here.
Nurmagomedov wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nurmagomedov blocks an uppercut.
Partio misses with a body punch.
Partio working aggressively here.
Partio lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Partio scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nurmagomedov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Partio avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nurmagomedov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Partio pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nurmagomedov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Partio prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partio lands a right hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Partio.
Partio lands a hook that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
Partio misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Partio.
Nurmagomedov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Partio is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Partio gets through Nurmagomedov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Partio struggles to land a body shot inside as Nurmagomedov controls his hands.
Partio working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nurmagomedov is trying to drag Partio to the mat but Partio just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Partio misses with the head strike.
A shot in the inside from Partio.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nurmagomedov.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Partio.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Nurmagomedov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Partio is trying to keep an underhook but Nurmagomedov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Partio works his way to full guard. Good work.
Partio looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Partio wants to stand and escape but Nurmagomedov is having none of it.
Nurmagomedov won't allow Partio to sweep him here.
Partio pulls Nurmagomedov in to control the position.
Partio tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Partio is still trying to improve position.
Partio has his hands on Nurmagomedov's head, controlling the position.
Partio looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurmagomedov is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nurmagomedov throws a big right hand that misses.
Partio controlling the position.
Nurmagomedov connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nurmagomedov is fighting to break Partio's control of his arms but Partio is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Partio is on top in guard.

Partio looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagomedov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Partio is one step ahead there.
Partio looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Partio's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Nurmagomedov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vika Partio dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Partio misses with a straight right.
Partio stuffs the takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov gets slowly back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Partio.

Nurmagomedov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Partio to the ground. Nurmagomedov is now in Partio's guard.

Partio is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Nurmagomedov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Partio gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nurmagomedov tries to score a body lock takedown but Partio shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Partio lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Partio lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Partio.
Partio scores with a shoulder strike.
Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Partio prevents it.
Partio makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partio misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nurmagomedov wants a takedown.

Partio breaks the clinch.
Partio with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Partio jabs Nurmagomedov right on the nose. Nurmagomedov blinks but takes it well.
Nurmagomedov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Partio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Partio swings for the body but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Partio tries a head kick but it misses.
Nurmagomedov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Partio defends it nicely.
Nurmagomedov goes for a double leg but Partio avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Partio continues to drive forward.
Partio let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Partio scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov slips under a jab.
Vika Partio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nurmagomedov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Partio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Nurmagomedov shoots in and bounces Partio off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Partio keeping moving, preventing Nurmagomedov from controlling successfully.
Partio pulls Nurmagomedov in to control the position.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes from guard but Partio blocks nicely.
Partio has Nurmagomedov pulled in close to control his posture.
Nurmagomedov won't allow Partio to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Partio trying to control the position here.
Nurmagomedov postures up in Partio's guard and throws a big left but Partio blocks it.
Partio avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Partio has Nurmagomedov pulled in close to control his posture.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Partio is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Partio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nurmagomedov slips under a jab.
Partio has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nurmagomedov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Partio is looking to slow Nurmagomedov down with leg kicks.

Partio pushes Nurmagomedov up against the cage in a clinch.
Nurmagomedov has Partio pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Partio manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Partio avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Partio lands a nice shot to the body.
Partio misses with a hook from the clinch.
Partio makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Partio manages to break the clinch.
Partio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A clash of legs there as Nurmagomedov blocks the low kick.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Partio sprawls and moves away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Partio, as that shot connected.
A head kick misses from Partio.
Partio thows a leg kick but Nurmagomedov checks it

and Nurmagomedov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Partio controlling the position.
Partio wants to sweep but no luck.
Partio looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vika Partio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Partio throws a nice inside leg kick.
Partio throws an overhand right that lands on Nurmagomedov's shoulder, as Nurmagomedov tries to avoid the shot.
Partio with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nurmagomedov slips under a jab from Partio.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Partio lands with a good body shot.
Partio walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nurmagomedov moves in looking to clinch but Partio pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Partio fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nurmagomedov is out of range.
Partio stuffs the takedown.
Nurmagomedov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Partio can pounce on him.
Partio tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nurmagomedov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Partio has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov checks a leg kick.
Partio ducks under a wild hook from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Nurmagomedov misses the target.
Partio tries to counter by closing the distance.
Nurmagomedov walks into a jab.
Nurmagomedov looks to land a right hand but Partio moved out of range.
Nurmagomedov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Partio cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Partio lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nurmagomedov fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nurmagomedov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov slips under a jab.
Nurmagomedov moves in looking to clinch but Partio pushes him off.
Partio wants to counter the offense by Nurmagomedov and move into the clinch position.
Nurmagomedov misses with a takedown attempt

and Partio counters with a crisp one two that drops Nurmagomedov! Partio thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Nurmagomedov to his feet! Nurmagomedov is in big trouble!

Nurmagomedov is rocked!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Partio cracks Nurmagomedov with a left hook right on the temple and Nurmagomedov goes down! He's out! Referee! Stop the fight! Partio lands a few more punches before the dopey ref steps in - hopefully Nurmagomedov is OK!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:22 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Vika Partio!
Vika Partio decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.