PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb (ranked 3040 p4p, 327 weight class) and Steve Collins (ranked 2601 p4p, 289 weight class). Nurmagabeeb comes to the cage accompanied by Sabine Kors feat. Timaro - Dagestan (Remix). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Nurmagabeeb
vs
Collins

178 cm
26
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

183 cm
20
179 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 3 - 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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Collins !
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Summer Carpenter and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Collins scores with a head kick.

It looks like Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb has been cut.
Collins throws a right hand that Nurmagabeeb ducks under and follows up with a left that Nurmagabeeb also avoids with ease.
Nurmagabeeb throws out a loose jab but Collins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Collins follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Collins misses the shot to the body.
Nurmagabeeb appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nurmagabeeb looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Collins goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nurmagabeeb lands a slapping body shot.
Collins throws a head kick that misses.
Nurmagabeeb attempts a counter takedown but Collins avoids it well and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Collins throws a one two combo.
Steve Collins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Collins jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nurmagabeeb attempts a counter takedown but Collins avoids it well and moves away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nurmagabeeb will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Collins flicks out a counter leg kick but Nurmagabeeb steps away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Collins throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Collins throws a hook but Nurmagabeeb blocks it.
Nurmagabeeb half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nurmagabeeb takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Collins looks to score with a jab to the body but Nurmagabeeb is just out of range.
Nurmagabeeb is looking to counter punch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Collins .
Nurmagabeeb fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Collins manages to avoid it.
Collins throws a counter combo.
Collins throws a right hand that Nurmagabeeb ducks under and follows up with a left that Nurmagabeeb also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Nurmagabeeb.
Nurmagabeeb steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Collins .
Collins misses with a series of wild punches.
Collins misses with a leg kick

and Nurmagabeeb counters with a single leg into guard. Collins didn't expect that.

Collins has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Nurmagabeeb has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
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 tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Collins prevents the takedown attempt.
Nurmagabeeb is trying to drag Collins to the mat but Collins just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Collins 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nurmagabeeb moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Collins throws a leg kick that misses.
Nice defenses there by Collins .
Nurmagabeeb misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Collins counters with a stiff right hand.

Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb's cut is getting worse.
Nurmagabeeb misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagabeeb throws a body shot but no joy.
Some wild striking there from Nurmagabeeb.
Collins throws a right hand that Nurmagabeeb ducks under and follows up with a left that Nurmagabeeb also avoids with ease.
Collins misses the shot to the body.
A quick step to the side and Nurmagabeeb tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Collins 's coach down at Doherty's Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Collins 's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Collins jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nurmagabeeb keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Collins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Collins dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Collins swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nurmagabeeb.
Nurmagabeeb ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Collins moves away.
Nurmagabeeb is looking to wear down Collins with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Collins connects with a looping right hand.
Nurmagabeeb dips to his left and cracks Collins with an uppercut!

Collins drops Nurmagabeeb with a beautiful combination! Nurmagabeeb stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Collins is looking for the KO!

Nurmagabeeb is rocked!
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!

Collins has closed the distance and engaged Nurmagabeeb in a clinch.
Oh Nurmagabeeb is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nurmagabeeb has Collins pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Collins manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nurmagabeeb seems to have got his legs back now.
Collins working hard to break the clinch.

Collins manages to break the clinch.
Collins misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Collins scores with a nice strike.

Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Collins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Collins is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nurmagabeeb.
Nurmagabeeb has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Nurmagabeeb swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Collins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nurmagabeeb.
Nurmagabeeb avoids the head kick by Collins .
Nurmagabeeb changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nurmagabeeb throws a jab when Collins was well out of range.
Collins is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A nice inside leg kick there by Collins . That's going to slow Nurmagabeeb down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Collins throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Nurmagabeeb counters with a takedown into side control.
Collins defending against the ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Collins tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Collins dodges the ground and pound from Nurmagabeeb.
Collins is trying to get back to his feet.
The ground and pound from Nurmagabeeb seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Collins prevents Nurmagabeeb from moving into mount.
Nurmagabeeb scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Collins to see if he's OK.

Nurmagabeeb is trying to get an arm triangle but Collins is defending well.
Nurmagabeeb in side control, throwing shots but Collins defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagabeeb has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Nurmagabeeb goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Collins is on top in guard.
Nurmagabeeb looking to control.

Collins got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nurmagabeeb has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Collins has managed to get both his arms back between Nurmagabeeb's legs - danger averted.
Collins has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Collins stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nurmagabeeb swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Collins trying to control but Nurmagabeeb is working from the bottom.
Nurmagabeeb tries to strike from the bottom.
Nurmagabeeb striking off his back but it's not causing Collins any problems.
Nurmagabeeb is trying to keep Collins in close.
Collins slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Nurmagabeeb tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Collins wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Collins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nurmagabeeb moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Collins throws a combination that misses
and Nurmagabeeb counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Decent striking displayed by Collins there.
Nurmagabeeb misses with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Collins misses with a double jab.
Nurmagabeeb ducks under a wild hook from Collins .
Good exchange - Collins coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Collins thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Nurmagabeeb if he has to take too many more of those.
Collins changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Collins throws a low kick but Nurmagabeeb avoids it.
Nurmagabeeb takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Collins takes a swing at Nurmagabeeb's ribcage but misses.
Collins fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Collins connects with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Collins .
Nurmagabeeb fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A punch lands to the side of Nurmagabeeb 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Jeez, Khalamedov Nurmagabeeb's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Left hook, right uppercut from Nurmagabeeb.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Collins connects with a body shot that sends Nurmagabeeb's belly button to the back.
Collins looks to land a combination but Nurmagabeeb avoids it well.
Collins throws a push kick but Nurmagabeeb slaps the foot to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagabeeb blocks a head kick by Collins .
Nurmagabeeb half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nurmagabeeb throws a right and a left that both miss.
Collins scoring well with a low kick there.
Collins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nurmagabeeb attempts a counter takedown but Collins avoids it well and moves away.
Collins misses with a right hand
and Nurmagabeeb counters with a right hand to the body.
Nurmagabeeb moves away from the strike by Collins .
Collins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steve Collins is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Collins . Nurmagabeeb does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nurmagabeeb staying out of range there.
Collins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nurmagabeeb seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Collins misses with a series of wild punches.
A lazy left from Nurmagabeeb finds it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Collins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Collins has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Topper Green scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Collins !
During a confident post fight interview, Steve Collins thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.