PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Charles E Boles (ranked 1960 p4p, 1890 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 242 p4p, 236 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Boles
vs
Nurmagomedov

180 cm
21
160
5 - 1 - 0

170 cm
21
162
4 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ruthless Aggression
HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charles E Boles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Franklyn Lucas and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boles takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nurmagomedov throws the left hand but Boles avoids the punch easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Boles misses its target.
Boles walks into a stiff left hand from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nurmagomedov misses with a lunging right hand
and Boles connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Nurmagomedov 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.
Boles wants to control the position but Nurmagomedov says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Boles is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nurmagomedov scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurmagomedov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nurmagomedov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nurmagomedov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Boles defending well though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boles wants to get back to full guard.
Boles taking some punishment here, with Nurmagomedov in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nurmagomedov is keen to just control but Boles is a slippery customer.
Boles knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nurmagomedov on the ground.
Boles blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Boles wants to control but Nurmagomedov is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagomedov wants to pass to mount but Boles is defending the position.
Nurmagomedov winds up and cracks Boles with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Boles gets full guard.
Nurmagomedov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Boles keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nurmagomedov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Nurmagomedov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Boles avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nurmagomedov.
Boles is refusing to be controlled, as Nurmagomedov sits in half guard.
Nurmagomedov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Boles defending well though.
Nurmagomedov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Boles definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nurmagomedov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Boles's head.
Boles wants to control but Nurmagomedov is keeping busy.
Nurmagomedov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov wants to pass to mount but Boles is defending the position.
Nurmagomedov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Boles defending well though.
Boles keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov wants to control but Boles is keeping him busy.
Nurmagomedov drops an elbow to the side of Boles's head.
Nurmagomedov lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nurmagomedov lands a nice short elbow.
Nurmagomedov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Well, if Nurmagomedov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Nurmagomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Boles keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but Boles is blocking nicely.
Nurmagomedov wants to control but Boles is keeping him busy.
Nice strikes from Nurmagomedov there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but Boles is blocking nicely.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but Boles is blocking nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Nice strikes from Nurmagomedov there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nurmagomedov looks to clinch
enabling Boles to counter with a crisp jab.
The fighters circling - Nurmagomedov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook.
Nurmagomedov shoots and misses
and Boles counters with a left to the body.
Nurmagomedov scores with a punch to the head.

Nurmagomedov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Boles was covering up waiting for the punch and Nurmagomedov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Boles's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boles utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov advances to half guard.
Nurmagomedov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nurmagomedov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Boles's head.
Nurmagomedov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nurmagomedov connects with a nice short shot to Boles's temple.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Boles is looking to improve his position.
Nurmagomedov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nurmagomedov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Boles avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov stalling.
Nurmagomedov is trying to control. Boles wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ground and pound from Nurmagomedov.
Boles is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nurmagomedov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Boles is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Nurmagomedov jumps into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov working the ground and pound but Boles is defending the strikes.
Boles regains half guard there - taking advantage of Nurmagomedov's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Nurmagomedov working the head and body with strikes.
Nurmagomedov is nestled in close to Boles, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ground and pound from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Boles keeps working.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nurmagomedov connects with a nice short shot to Boles's temple.
Boles is not content to let Nurmagomedov control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov drops an elbow to the side of Boles's head.
Nurmagomedov wants to take a breather but Boles is having none of it.
Nurmagomedov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nurmagomedov has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Nurmagomedov working Boles over with strikes here.
Nurmagomedov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov cracks Boles with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurmagomedov with shots to the head and body - Boles looks very uncomfortable down there.
Nurmagomedov is landing with some decent strikes but Boles is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nurmagomedov misses with a looping left.
An attempted straight right counter from Boles misses the target.
Boles uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch
and Boles counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov misses with a straight right.
Boles is looking to counter punch.
Nurmagomedov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nurmagomedov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nurmagomedov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Boles blocks it with crossed arms.
Boles doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Boles misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Boles misses with the head strike.
A nice left hand lands by Boles.
Nurmagomedov pushes off an throws an elbow but Boles leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nurmagomedov wants a takedown.
Boles goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Boles has a couple of punches blocked by Nurmagomedov.
Boles lands with a short shot to the head.
A shot in the inside from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands a hook that snaps the head of Boles backwards.
Nurmagomedov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nurmagomedov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Boles's elbow.
Nurmagomedov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nurmagomedov swings wildly with an uppercut but Boles uses good head movement to avoid it.

Boles's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nurmagomedov throws a lazy uppercut
and Boles counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice shot by Nurmagomedov.
Charles E Boles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Charles E Boles is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nurmagomedov throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Boles to counter with a crisp jab.
Nurmagomedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nurmagomedov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Boles circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Boles misses the target.
Nurmagomedov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nurmagomedov darts in trying to clinch
and Boles counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nurmagomedov cracks Boles with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nurmagomedov shoots and misses
and Boles counters with a stiff right hand.
Charles E Boles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boles avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Boles is looking to counter punch.

Nurmagomedov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Boles is trying to defend but Nurmagomedov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Boles looks like he's trying to stand up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nurmagomedov is pressing down on Boles's thigh, looking to free his foot. Boles is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boles blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nurmagomedov in particular looking to stall.
Nurmagomedov wants to free his trapped foot but Boles is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Nurmagomedov works his foot free and advances to mount.
Nurmagomedov looking to control and managing it successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagomedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nurmagomedov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagomedov!
A relieved looking Khabib Nurmagomedov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.