PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb (ranked 4893 p4p, 525 weight class) and Jack Baker (ranked 5604 p4p, 580 weight class). Nurmagabeeb comes to the cage accompanied by Sabine Kors feat. Timaro - Dagestan (Remix). Jack Baker told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Nurmagabeeb
vs
Baker

178 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
23
181 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Knockdown Clothes

Pit Bull Development

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jack Baker!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Ben Watson and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baker scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Nurmagabeeb is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Baker is controlling him well.
Nurmagabeeb being controlled for a moment.
Baker trying to control the position but Nurmagabeeb is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagabeeb is trying to buck Baker off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nurmagabeeb sneaks out the side door and pushes Baker away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Baker closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Nurmagabeeb sneaks out the side door and pushes Baker away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagabeeb avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nurmagabeeb misses with the combination.
Baker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Baker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurmagabeeb throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Baker.
Baker has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Baker there as he acknowledges the shot.

Baker gets a double leg takedown into Nurmagabeeb's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Nurmagabeeb manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Nurmagabeeb breaks the clinch.
Nurmagabeeb walks into a stiff left hand from Baker.
Baker throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nurmagabeeb appears to be looking for a big counter.
Baker throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nurmagabeeb counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baker thinking.
Baker throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Baker throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Nurmagabeeb tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Baker is in Nurmagabeeb's guard.

Nurmagabeeb has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Baker has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Baker looks winded!
Baker has a couple of punches blocked by Nurmagabeeb.

Nurmagabeeb pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Baker throws a series of strikes that have Nurmagabeeb backpedaling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker avoids a punch combination nicely.
Baker on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Baker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagabeeb.

Baker clinches up against the cage.

Nurmagabeeb pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nurmagabeeb throws a series of punches but Baker moves out of range.

Baker forces Nurmagabeeb back against the cage and clinches.
Baker misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagabeeb has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Nurmagabeeb pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've been informed that Baker has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Nurmagabeeb avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nurmagabeeb swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Baker shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nurmagabeeb's guard.

Nurmagabeeb scrambles and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baker takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Baker looking to score a takedown here. Nurmagabeeb is defending well but Baker drives through and ends up in Nurmagabeeb's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Nurmagabeeb manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Baker feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Nurmagabeeb is wriggling around but Baker manages to pass to half guard.

Nurmagabeeb looks like he's trying to stand up.
Nurmagabeeb is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Baker can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker wants to free his trapped foot but Nurmagabeeb is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Nurmagabeeb wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurmagabeeb manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Baker keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Nurmagabeeb blocking some punches.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nurmagabeeb is trying to force a seperation but Baker has the dominant position.

Nurmagabeeb breaks the clinch.
Baker just misses with a punch to the body.
Jack Baker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baker throws a head kick that misses.
A combination from Nurmagabeeb does no damage.
Baker misses with a hook
and Nurmagabeeb cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Baker closes the distance and clinches.

Nurmagabeeb's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Baker gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nurmagabeeb is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Baker is controlling him well.

Baker stands up.
Baker slips a jab and a cross from Nurmagabeeb.

Nurmagabeeb gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Baker to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagabeeb uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Baker misses with a body punch
and Nurmagabeeb counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nurmagabeeb blocks a head kick by Baker.
Baker is breathing heavily.

Baker looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Baker stops Nurmagabeeb from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nurmagabeeb scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Baker closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nurmagabeeb did well to prevent Baker getting side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nurmagabeeb wants to get back to his feet.
Baker trying to control from Nurmagabeeb's half guard. Nurmagabeeb has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Nurmagabeeb pushes Baker off and gets back to his feet.
Baker moves forwards but Nurmagabeeb connects with a nice, crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nurmagabeeb shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Baker eats them both and turns towards Nurmagabeeb to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
No joy there for Baker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A big right from Baker misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Nurmagabeeb misses the target.
Baker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nurmagabeeb sees it coming and avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Nurmagabeeb misses the target.
Nurmagabeeb lands with a straight right. Baker didn't see that one coming.
Nurmagabeeb slips under a jab.
Baker misses with a jab to the body
and Nurmagabeeb counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurmagabeeb walks into a straight right hand from Baker.

Baker closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nurmagabeeb did well to prevent Baker getting side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagabeeb is trying to stand up here but Baker is controlling him well.
We've been hearing good reports from Nurmagabeeb'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.
Baker tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Nurmagabeeb.
Nurmagabeeb on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nurmagabeeb tries to get out of the position.
Baker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Nurmagabeeb kicks off Baker and gets to his feet.
Baker misses with a hook to the body
enabling Nurmagabeeb to counter with a crisp jab.
Baker throws a series of punches but Nurmagabeeb avoids them all with ease.
Baker throws a head kick that misses
and Nurmagabeeb counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Baker throws a right and a left that Nurmagabeeb avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baker clinches up with Nurmagabeeb and pushes him back against the cage.

Nurmagabeeb breaks the clinch.

Baker decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Nurmagabeeb has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Baker is on him like a limpet, forcing Nurmagabeeb back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Baker has Nurmagabeeb pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Baker pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Nurmagabeeb tumbling to the mat - Baker dives into Nurmagabeeb's guard.

Nurmagabeeb is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Baker presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Nurmagabeeb breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nurmagabeeb lands with a right hand.

Baker closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Nurmagabeeb's guard.

Nurmagabeeb has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Baker has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagabeeb manages to break the clinch.
Nurmagabeeb lands an overhand right.
Nurmagabeeb cracks Baker with a right hand to the side of the head.
Left hook, right uppercut from Nurmagabeeb.
Nurmagabeeb displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baker throws out the jab.
It looked like Nurmagabeeb was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nurmagabeeb scores with a nice head shot.
Baker misses with a double jab.
Nurmagabeeb scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagabeeb misses with a double jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baker tries a head kick but it misses.
Baker rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nurmagabeeb counters with a straight right hand.
Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb is winning the standup battle so far.
Nurmagabeeb displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Jack Baker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nurmagabeeb jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nurmagabeeb keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Baker shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Nurmagabeeb napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Nurmagabeeb bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurmagabeeb ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nurmagabeeb, 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb!
Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
The defeated Jack Baker had this to say: 'I'd like to congratulate my opponent on the victory, thank you to the fans for coming out tonight and supporting us, I'll come back better than ever.'.