PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 8567 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dexter Varela (ranked 2501 p4p, 0 weight class). Dexter Varela has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nurmagomedov
vs
Varela

178 cm
23
155 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

175 cm
25
156 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dexter Varela !
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Michael Johnstone and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nurmagomedov drives through with a takedown into Varela 's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Varela keeping full guard, as Nurmagomedov tries to pass.
Nurmagomedov passes into half guard.

Nurmagomedov is trying to work for a kimura but Varela is defending well.

Nurmagomedov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Nurmagomedov is working for a submission of some sort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Varela gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varela wants to sweep but no luck.

Varela looking for a guillotine here but Nurmagomedov defends easily.
Varela looking for a sweep. Not yet Varela , not yet.
Varela controls Nurmagomedov momentarily but Nurmagomedov frees himself.
Varela keeping full guard, as Nurmagomedov tries to pass.
Varela looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Nurmagomedov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nurmagomedov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varela has momentary wrist control but Nurmagomedov slips an elbow through the middle.
Varela looking to control.
Nurmagomedov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nurmagomedov works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Nurmagomedov maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Varela could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Nurmagomedov has cracked it and Varela is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Nurmagomedov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Khabib Nurmagomedov!