PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Timur Rakhimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jor Nodtveidt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rakhimov
vs
Nodtveidt

175 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
25
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Timur Rakhimov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jor Nodtveidt!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rakhimov's corner calls for a 1-2. Rakhimov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nodtveidt dodges the punch combination from Rakhimov.
Rakhimov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nodtveidt's head.

Nodtveidt closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rakhimov did well to prevent Nodtveidt getting side control.
Rakhimov won't allow Nodtveidt to pass to mount.

Nodtveidt looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Nodtveidt sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rakhimov defending well though.

Rakhimov looking for submissions off his back.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhimov could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Rakhimov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nodtveidt seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jor Nodtveidt.

Nodtveidt closes the distance and clinches.
Rakhimov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Nodtveidt breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Nodtveidt tenderised Rakhimov's leg. Rakhimov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rakhimov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rakhimov lands with a straight right. Nodtveidt didn't see that one coming.
Rakhimov jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Nodtveidt fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rakhimov, pushing him back against the cage.

Nodtveidt gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rakhimov tries to get to full guard but Nodtveidt has control of the leg.
Rakhimov wants to control but Nodtveidt is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nodtveidt is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Nodtveidt trying to pass the guard but Rakhimov defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nodtveidt decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Donk. Rakhimov catches Nodtveidt right on the button with a cross.
Rakhimov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rakhimov misses with a series of wild punches.

Nodtveidt gets the takedown into side control.
Nodtveidt lands a few punches from side control.
Nodtveidt creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rakhimov sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Rakhimov is looking for a sweep.
Rakhimov is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nodtveidt taking a breather here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nodtveidt works to advance to full mount. Rakhimov defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Rakhimov tries to lock up and control but Nodtveidt gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rakhimov tries to control Nodtveidt's body but Nodtveidt pushes him off. Rakhimov squirms to his side and now Nodtveidt has his back!

Nodtveidt is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Rakhimov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Nodtveidt doesn't have the hooks in and Rakhimov manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nodtveidt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rakhimov is one step ahead there.
Rakhimov trying to control but Nodtveidt is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jor Nodtveidt dominated that round.
That's time! Rakhimov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rakhimov moves out of range of the body kick from Nodtveidt.

Nodtveidt closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nodtveidt sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Rakhimov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nodtveidt passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rakhimov!
Nodtveidt wants to control the pace but Rakhimov is squirming around nicely.
Nodtveidt looking to control and managing it successfully.
Rakhimov wants to control but Nodtveidt is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nodtveidt controlling from mount.
Nodtveidt prevents Rakhimov from getting the reversal.
Nodtveidt controlling from mount.
Rakhimov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Rakhimov reaches up to try and control the position but Nodtveidt seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Rakhimov rolls and tries to escape and now Nodtveidt has his back!
Nodtveidt keeps control of the position as Rakhimov tries to break free.

Nodtveidt working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Nodtveidt lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nodtveidt biding his time, controlling Rakhimov.
Rakhimov is really stuck here.
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!
Nodtveidt punishes Rakhimov with strikes from the back mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good control from Nodtveidt.
Rakhimov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Nodtveidt lands with a hammerfist to the side of Rakhimov's head.
Rakhimov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Nodtveidt cracks Rakhimov with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Rakhimov from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

Nodtveidt has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Rakhimov is in real trouble here. Nodtveidt gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Rakhimov is tapping out! Nodtveidt wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jor Nodtveidt!