PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Daniyar Nurbolatov (ranked 3040 p4p, 1866 weight class) and Edmond Chabazian (ranked 381 p4p, 256 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nurbolatov
vs
Chabazian

179 cm
21
179
6 - 1 - 0

184 cm
29
184
10 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Fast

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daniyar Nurbolatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Edmond Chabazian!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Ian Loll and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Chabazian shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Chabazian is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Nurbolatov trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

Chabazian goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Nurbolatov turns into him and now he's in Chabazian's guard.

Nurbolatov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chabazian has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nurbolatov has managed to get both his arms back between Chabazian's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chabazian tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Nurbolatov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nurbolatov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Chabazian manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nurbolatov manages to get himself to full guard.

Nurbolatov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chabazian manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chabazian keeping moving, preventing Nurbolatov from controlling successfully.
Chabazian is looking to sweep but instead, Nurbolatov has passed into half guard.
Chabazian is looking for a sweep. Nurbolatov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Chabazian is defending against the submission attempts here by Nurbolatov.

Nurbolatov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Chabazian works his way to full guard. Good work.

Chabazian escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nurbolatov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Chabazian escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nurbolatov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Chabazian is trying to control the position but Nurbolatov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurbolatov trying to control but Chabazian is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nurbolatov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nurbolatov stopping the sweep attempt from Chabazian.
Chabazian bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nurbolatov's guard.

Nurbolatov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Nurbolatov has his foot on Chabazian's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Chabazian works his way back into a safe position though.
Nurbolatov keeping moving, preventing Chabazian from controlling successfully.

Nurbolatov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Chabazian gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nurbolatov has his hands on Chabazian's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurbolatov working for a triangle but Chabazian defends it easily.
Chabazian working some strikes from top position.
Chabazian distracts Nurbolatov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Chabazian makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Chabazian must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Nurbolatov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Nurbolatov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Chabazian scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Chabazian forces his way into half guard.
Chabazian working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
We've been hearing good reports from Nurbolatov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Nurbolatov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Chabazian trying to control the position from guard on top but Nurbolatov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chabazian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nurbolatov is keeping the position for now.

Nurbolatov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Chabazian can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Nurbolatov looking for a guillotine here but Chabazian defends easily.

Chabazian avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Edmond Chabazian dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Chabazian throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Chabazian digs a good body shot into Nurbolatov's ribs.
Nurbolatov shoots in but Chabazian avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nurbolatov takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Chabazian drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Chabazian lands a couple of digs.
Chabazian postures up and lands a big shot to Nurbolatov's brow.

Nurbolatov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Chabazian lands a couple of elbows.
Nurbolatov is trying to keep Chabazian in close.
Chabazian works over Nurbolatov with some ground and pound from guard.
Nurbolatov has momentary wrist control but Chabazian slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurbolatov working for a triangle but Chabazian defends it easily.
Chabazian is working Nurbolatov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Chabazian distracts Nurbolatov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Nurbolatov keeping moving, preventing Chabazian from controlling successfully.

Nurbolatov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Chabazian defends it easily.
Chabazian wants to control from the top but Nurbolatov keeps moving.
Chabazian landing some decent shots from guard.

Nurbolatov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Chabazian defends well.
Chabazian works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chabazian is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Nurbolatov wants to get back to full guard.
Chabazian is nestled in close to Nurbolatov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Nurbolatov is defending against the submission attempts here by Chabazian.
Nurbolatov trying to control but Chabazian postures up.
Chabazian has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Chabazian drops an elbow to the side of Nurbolatov's head.
Chabazian working over Nurbolatov with some ground and pound. Nurbolatov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Chabazian slips a nice elbow through Nurbolatov's hands, connecting with Nurbolatov's forehead.
Nurbolatov is pressing down on Chabazian's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian wants to pass the guard but Nurbolatov is keeping the position.
Chabazian content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Nurbolatov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Chabazian postures up.
Nurbolatov keeping full guard, as Chabazian tries to pass.
Chabazian working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nurbolatov's head.
Nurbolatov has momentary wrist control but Chabazian slips an elbow through the middle.
Chabazian lands a couple of elbows.
Nurbolatov has momentary wrist control but Chabazian slips an elbow through the middle.
Chabazian working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Chabazian scoring with punches to the head and body.
Chabazian working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nurbolatov's head.
Chabazian landing with the ground and pound.
Chabazian working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian postures up in Nurbolatov's guard and throws a big left but Nurbolatov blocks it.
Chabazian is working Nurbolatov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Chabazian cracks Nurbolatov with a solid left hand.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Chabazian's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Chabazian passes Nurbolatov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Nurbolatov is looking for a sweep. Chabazian is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Chabazian seems to be looking for submissions.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chabazian looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Nurbolatov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Nurbolatov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Chabazian looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Edmond Chabazian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Chabazian decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Chabazian seems to be looking for submissions.
Nurbolatov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Chabazian's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Chabazian's back!
Nurbolatov has the hooks in. Chabazian is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Chabazian keeps trying to improve his position.

Nurbolatov is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Chabazian defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
I really don't envy Chabazian right now.

Chabazian preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Nurbolatov.
Chabazian wants to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chabazian rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Chabazian is looking to improve his position.
Chabazian is not content to let Nurbolatov control the position.
Chabazian is looking to improve his position.

Nurbolatov seems to be looking for submissions.

Chabazian is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nurbolatov pulls his head out easily.
Nurbolatov trying to control from half guard but Chabazian is working away.
Chabazian moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Chabazian is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nurbolatov is aware though and is defending well.
Edmond Chabazian has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nurbolatov trying to control but Chabazian is working from the bottom.
Nurbolatov wants to pass the guard but Chabazian is keeping the position.
Chabazian working a defensive guard but Nurbolatov passes into half guard.
Chabazian moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Chabazian controlling Nurbolatov's posture.
Chabazian 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian keeping moving, preventing Nurbolatov from controlling successfully.
Chabazian manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nurbolatov manages to get himself to full guard.

Chabazian content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Daniyar Nurbolatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chabazian advances position into side control!
Nurbolatov sneaks back into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nurbolatov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Nurbolatov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian lands a couple of digs.

Chabazian got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nurbolatov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Chabazian has managed to get both his arms back between Nurbolatov's legs - danger averted.
Nurbolatov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Chabazian scoring with some ground and pound.
Chabazian is in close to Nurbolatov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Chabazian working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Chabazian postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Chabazian scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Chabazian controls from within his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chabazian tries to free his leg and advance position but Nurbolatov is retaining full guard.
Edmond Chabazian is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Nurbolatov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Edmond Chabazian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Chabazian 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Edmond Chabazian!
A victorious Edmond Chabazian thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.