PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 2908 p4p, 3432 weight class) and Laurenz Thibodeaux (ranked 385 p4p, 441 weight class). Nurmagomedov comes to the cage accompanied by Khabib Nurmagomedov Mix || The Eagle Motivation. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Nurmagomedov
vs
Thibodeaux

181 cm
21
189
3 - 3 - 0

180 cm
19
195
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Laurenz Thibodeaux!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thibodeaux closes the distance and pushes Nurmagomedov back into the cage.
Nurmagomedov throws a head punch that misses.

Nurmagomedov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Thibodeaux.
Nurmagomedov is not content to let Thibodeaux control the position.
Nurmagomedov wants to get back to his feet but Thibodeaux drags him back down.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmagomedov prevents Thibodeaux from improving position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux keeps trying to improve his position.
Thibodeaux wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nurmagomedov keeps working.
Nurmagomedov's coaches at Latin Gym have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Thibodeaux tries to score with some ground and pound. Nurmagomedov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov wants to control but Thibodeaux postures up.
A lull in the action here as Thibodeaux stalls from top position.

Thibodeaux goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Nurmagomedov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Thibodeaux's guard! Nice work there by Nurmagomedov!
Thibodeaux looking to control.
Nurmagomedov wants to get up but he can't break Thibodeaux's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Thibodeaux pulls Nurmagomedov in to control the position.
Thibodeaux trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov wants to stand but Thibodeaux is controlling his posture from full guard.

Thibodeaux escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nurmagomedov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thibodeaux is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Thibodeaux is still trying to improve position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thibodeaux showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nurmagomedov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nurmagomedov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thibodeaux fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nurmagomedov avoids it really well and circles away.
Thibodeaux throws a big shot that misses.
A punch combination from Nurmagomedov misses.
Nurmagomedov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Thibodeaux to score with a decent uppercut.
Nurmagomedov misses with an uppercut. Thibodeaux saw that one coming.
Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot
and Thibodeaux counters with a straight right hand.
Thibodeaux shoots in for a takedown but Nurmagomedov shows good takedown defense.
Thibodeaux ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurmagomedov moves away.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice uppercut there from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux lands with a straight right. Nurmagomedov didn't see that one coming.
Thibodeaux takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four 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!
Thibodeaux throws a lazy right hand but Nurmagomedov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nurmagomedov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thibodeaux wants to clinch
and Nurmagomedov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Laurenz Thibodeaux has been cut.
Nurmagomedov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nurmagomedov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thibodeaux circles away quickly and effectively.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook
and Thibodeaux counters with a nice uppercut.
Nurmagomedov misses with a double jab.
Thibodeaux misses the shot to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Nurmagomedov there.
Nurmagomedov loads up on a big right hand but Thibodeaux slips the punch.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thibodeaux misses with a body shot
and Nurmagomedov counters with a left right combination that sends Thibodeaux crashing to the mat - Nurmagomedov wastes no time in diving on top of him and pounding Thibodeaux out for a TKO! Devastating finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Khabib Nurmagomedov!
Khabib Nurmagomedov thanked the fans post fight for their support.