PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergio Striking (ranked 5699 p4p, 2715 weight class) and Lyubof Nurmagomedov (ranked 428 p4p, 268 weight class). Lyubof Nurmagomedov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Striking
vs
Nurmagomedov

178 cm
20
165
0 - 1 - 0

179 cm
19
169
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sergio Striking!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lyubof Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Lou da Vinci and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice body punch from Striking.
Striking connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Some wild striking there from Striking.
Nurmagomedov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Striking defends well and Nurmagomedov ends up having to push Striking into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nurmagomedov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Striking.
A jab from Nurmagomedov misses.
Striking scores with the left hand. Nurmagomedov knows he should have avoided that one.
Striking uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nurmagomedov.
Striking throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Striking ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nurmagomedov looking to score a takedown here. Striking is defending well but Nurmagomedov drives through and ends up in Striking's guard.
Nurmagomedov is fighting to break Striking's control of his arms but Striking is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Striking is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Striking preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nurmagomedov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Striking is working from the bottom.
Striking looking to control but Nurmagomedov passes into half guard.
Nurmagomedov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Striking defending well though.
Nurmagomedov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Striking is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nurmagomedov scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov works his way into side control.
Striking struggling a bit here.
Striking knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nurmagomedov on the ground.
Nurmagomedov landing a few strikes.
Nurmagomedov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Nurmagomedov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Striking sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Nurmagomedov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Striking knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Striking's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov wants to control but Striking is keeping him busy.
Striking looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Nurmagomedov working away.
Nurmagomedov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Striking is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Nurmagomedov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Nurmagomedov misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position but Striking is working away.
Nurmagomedov is chipping away with strikes.
Nurmagomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Striking keeps working.

Nurmagomedov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Striking, who protects the arm well.
Striking can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov landing strikes.
Striking parries the strikes from Nurmagomedov easily there. Nurmagomedov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Striking to escape.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lyubof Nurmagomedov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Striking slips a straight right by Nurmagomedov.
Striking is looking to counter punch.
Striking walks into a left hand.
Striking bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Striking lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nurmagomedov misses with a two punch combination.
Sergio Striking is winning the standup battle so far.
Striking scores with a shot to the body.
Nurmagomedov avoids the body shot from Striking.
Striking shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Nurmagomedov eats them both and turns towards Striking to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Nurmagomedov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Striking scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nurmagomedov in his tracks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A shot to the liver by Striking. Beautiful body shot.
Nurmagomedov walks into a left hand.
Nurmagomedov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Striking fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
Striking ducks under a wild hook from Nurmagomedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striking digs a good body shot into Nurmagomedov's ribs.
Striking thows a left - swing and a miss!
No joy there for Striking, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A countering left hand to the body from Nurmagomedov misses.
Nurmagomedov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Striking.
Striking throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Striking.
Nurmagomedov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Striking.
A looping hook to the body misses from Striking. Nurmagomedov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Striking slips a jab from Nurmagomedov.
Striking swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Striking misses with a hook.
Striking throws a shot from downtown. Nurmagomedov moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Nurmagomedov misses the target.
Nurmagomedov just misses with a punch to the body.
Striking connects with a right hand. Nurmagomedov shakes it off.
Nurmagomedov jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Striking rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nurmagomedov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nurmagomedov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Striking lands with a hook. Nurmagomedov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nice sprawl there from Striking as Nurmagomedov shoots in.
Striking throws a jab when Nurmagomedov was well out of range.
Striking cracks Nurmagomedov with a good jab.
Nurmagomedov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Striking doesn't seem bothered though.
Nurmagomedov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Striking lands with a right hand.
Striking scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Jab by Striking.
Striking walks into a jab.
Striking tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Striking.
Striking avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Striking defends well and Nurmagomedov ends up having to push Striking into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Striking.
Nurmagomedov lands a slapping body shot.
Striking throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Striking uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A quick step to the side and Striking tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Striking keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sergio Striking is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nurmagomedov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nurmagomedov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Striking shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sergio Striking has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyubof Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands a jab to the head.
Nurmagomedov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Striking misses with a straight left.
Nurmagomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Striking blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striking connects with a body shot.
Some wild striking there from Striking.
Nurmagomedov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurmagomedov. Striking does a little dance to reset his feet.
Striking throwing a counter right hand but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Striking.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Striking displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Striking throws an overhand right that lands on Nurmagomedov's shoulder, as Nurmagomedov tries to avoid the shot.
Striking takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

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

Striking pushes Nurmagomedov off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range of the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Nurmagomedov misses the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sergio Striking dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nurmagomedov just misses with a punch to the body.
A counter left hand to the body from Striking misses its target.
Nurmagomedov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Nurmagomedov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nurmagomedov darts in looking for a takedown but Striking gets double underhooks and turns Nurmagomedov into the cage.
Striking lands a lovely overhand right.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Striking lands a nice hook to Nurmagomedov's body. Nurmagomedov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nurmagomedov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nurmagomedov staying out of range there.
Striking throws a jab when Nurmagomedov was well out of range.
Striking throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Striking throws a hook to the side of Nurmagomedov's head but Nurmagomedov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Striking slips a straight right by Nurmagomedov.
Striking scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Striking scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nurmagomedov in his tracks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Striking uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurmagomedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Nurmagomedov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nurmagomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Striking lands a nice shot that snaps Nurmagomedov's head back.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Striking fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot.
Nurmagomedov slips under a jab from Striking.
Nurmagomedov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Striking jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nurmagomedov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nurmagomedov slips a jab from Striking.
A slow jab from Nurmagomedov misses its intended target.
Striking slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Striking cracks Nurmagomedov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Striking scores with a hook to the body. Nurmagomedov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Striking throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov avoids them all with ease.
Striking throws a hook but Nurmagomedov avoids it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Striking.
Striking throws a body shot but no joy.
A jab from Striking misses.
Striking slips under a jab from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Striking connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Nurmagomedov scrambles back to his feet.
Nurmagomedov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Striking counter with a right hand.
Striking jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Striking scores with a jab. Nurmagomedov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nurmagomedov dodges the punch combination from Striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A swing and a miss from Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Striking sprawls well initially but Nurmagomedov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Striking has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Nurmagomedov is on him like a limpet, forcing Striking back against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Nurmagomedov as the two fighters clinch.

Nurmagomedov lands a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurmagomedov throws a big right hand that misses.
Nurmagomedov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nurmagomedov slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Striking is defending against the submission attempts here by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Striking keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striking wants to control but Nurmagomedov is keeping busy.
Nurmagomedov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Striking's head.
Nurmagomedov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Striking!
Nurmagomedov controlling from mount.
Lyubof Nurmagomedov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Striking tries to hold on but Nurmagomedov postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergio Striking showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Striking has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergio Striking!
A relieved looking Sergio Striking thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
In defeat, Lyubof Nurmagomedov stepped up to the mic, saying 'Alhamdulillah, i come back smesh next guy.'.