PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Islam Nurmagomedov (ranked 4293 p4p, 23719 weight class) and Keilis Rivera (ranked 237 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nurmagomedov
vs
Rivera

168 cm
25
148
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
21
155
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Islam Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Keilis Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov doesn't manage to clinch there - Rivera circles away.
Rivera keeps the fight on the outside.
Nurmagomedov moves in looking to clinch but Rivera pushes him off.
Some wild striking there from Rivera.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch up but Rivera circles away and keeps his distance.
Islam Nurmagomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rivera looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Nurmagomedov has an active guard here but Rivera has managed to pass into half guard.
Rivera slips a nice elbow through Nurmagomedov's hands, connecting with Nurmagomedov's forehead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rivera is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nurmagomedov defends it well.
Rivera takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov actively working from the bottom here.
Nurmagomedov is looking for a sweep. Rivera is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rivera wants to control but Nurmagomedov is keeping him busy.

Rivera decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Nurmagomedov tries to close the distance and clinch but Rivera swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nurmagomedov moves in looking to clinch but Rivera pushes him off.
Rivera now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch
and Rivera counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Rivera swats away the attempt to clinch by Nurmagomedov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rivera dives in and scores a takedown into Nurmagomedov's guard.

Rivera throws a sloppy strike and Nurmagomedov has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Rivera is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Nurmagomedov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Islam Nurmagomedov!