PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Suren Nazarethyan (ranked 2698 p4p, 0 weight class) and Learned Hand (ranked 5723 p4p, 0 weight class). Nazarethyan comes to the cage accompanied by Amerika. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nazarethyan
vs
Hand

155 cm
53
150 lbs
56 - 60 - 2

186 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Good elbows
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 56 - 60 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Suren Nazarethyan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Learned Hand!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Anthony Taglia and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hand avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hand wants to clinch.
Hand shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nazarethyan sprawls well. Nazarethyan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hand gets slowly back to his feet.
Hand is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nazarethyan drops his hands momentarily and Hand takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hand is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nazarethyan.
Nazarethyan appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hand tries for a takedown but Nazarethyan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hand is defended easily by Nazarethyan.
Suren Nazarethyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Learned Hand.

Hand drives through and clinches with Nazarethyan against the cage.
Hand controlling the action here for a moment.

Hand manages to break the clinch.

Nazarethyan gets tackled into the cage by Hand. Hand maintains the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nazarethyan wants the takedown. Hand is fighting it off but Nazarethyan persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hand's guard against the cage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nazarethyan is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hand is looking to sweep but instead, Nazarethyan has passed into half guard.
Nazarethyan seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Nazarethyan working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hand tries to roll over but Nazarethyan keeps him under control.
Hand is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nazarethyan scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hand tries to roll over but Nazarethyan keeps him under control.
Nazarethyan trying to control from half guard but Hand is working away.
Nazarethyan controlling the action here.
Hand wants to get back to full guard.
Hand trying to hold on to Nazarethyan's head to control him but Nazarethyan postures up.
Hand really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nazarethyan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Nazarethyan content to control rather than advance.
Ground and pound from Nazarethyan.
Hand wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Well, if Nazarethyan 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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nazarethyan lands a nice short elbow.
Hand is refusing to be controlled, as Nazarethyan sits in half guard.
Nazarethyan lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hand wants to improve his position but Nazarethyan is controlling well.
Nazarethyan is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hand trying to hold on to Nazarethyan's head to control him but Nazarethyan postures up.
Nazarethyan scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hand is looking to escape.
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. Nazarethyan connects with a nice short shot to Hand's temple.
Nazarethyan has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nazarethyan lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Suren Nazarethyan dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A head kick misses from Nazarethyan.
Hand fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Learned Hand seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hand fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hand looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nazarethyan is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Hand is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nazarethyan quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Nazarethyan swats away the attempt to clinch by Hand.
Nazarethyan is looking to counter with head kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nazarethyan swats away the attempt to clinch by Hand.
Hand shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nazarethyan sprawls well. Nazarethyan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hand gets slowly back to his feet.
Suren Nazarethyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Learned Hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarethyan misses with a kick to the body.
Nazarethyan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hand tries to clinch but Nazarethyan is having none of it.
Nazarethyan avoids the head kick by Hand.
Nazarethyan really is a fat lump.
Hand shoots in but Nazarethyan avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Hand closes the distance and pushes Nazarethyan back into the cage.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hand crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nazarethyan - the referee stops the clock and Hand gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nazarethyan. Hand manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hand is defended easily by Nazarethyan.
Nazarethyan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hand manages to avoid it.
Hand fails with the takedown
and Nazarethyan counters with a series of strikes. Hand will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hand slips a jab and a cross from Nazarethyan.
Hand throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nazarethyan's waist but Nazarethyan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hand off to one side.
Nazarethyan misses the jab.
Hand takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
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!
Hand dives in and grabs Nazarethyan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nazarethyan pushes down on Hand's head and hops out.
Nazarethyan tries to counter with a takedown but Hand is quick to defend against it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hand has taken the fight to the clinch.

Hand pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Nazarethyan. No joy for Hand on that attempt.
Nazarethyan seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Hand is breathing heavily.
Nazarethyan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nazarethyan misses with a wild combination.
Hand fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nazarethyan scores with a body shot.
Nazarethyan looks to score with a jab to the body but Hand is just out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Nazarethyan - that will leave a mark!
Hand is looking to clinch but Nazarethyan is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarethyan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nazarethyan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hand can do to turn this around?
No joy there for Nazarethyan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hand.
Nazarethyan feints and then cracks Hand's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hand down.

Hand has Nazarethyan up against the cage in a clinch.
Hand tries to pull guard but Nazarethyan won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hand fails to pull the fight into his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nazarethyan wants a takedown but no success here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Suren Nazarethyan dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nazarethyan throws a right hand that Hand ducks under and follows up with a left that Hand also avoids with ease.
Hand shoots for a double leg takedown but Nazarethyan sprawls well. He's pushed Hand's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hand slips a jab and a cross from Nazarethyan.
Hand slips a jab and a cross from Nazarethyan.
Suren Nazarethyan is winning the standup battle so far.
Nazarethyan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hand throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nazarethyan's waist but Nazarethyan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hand off to one side.
Nazarethyan went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Nazarethyan lands with a nice combination. Hand backs away looking to recover.
Hand goes for a double leg but Nazarethyan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nazarethyan continues to drive forward.
Suren Nazarethyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Learned Hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hand tries a head kick but it misses.

Hand rushes Nazarethyan and presses him up against the cage.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hand is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hand tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nazarethyan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nazarethyan just misses with a punch to the body.
Hand bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hand misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hand throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hand misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nazarethyan looks for the body kick but Hand saw that one coming.
Nazarethyan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hand dives in and grabs Nazarethyan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nazarethyan pushes down on Hand's head and hops out.
Hand takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hand slips a jab and a cross from Nazarethyan.
Nazarethyan is looking to wear down Hand with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hand wants to clinch
and Nazarethyan counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters circling a little - Hand finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nazarethyan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nazarethyan is looking for a counter combo.
Suren Nazarethyan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nazarethyan looks to land a left hand but Hand moved out of range nicely.
Hand is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Nazarethyan with a body shot.
Hand fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nazarethyan tries to counter with a takedown but Hand is quick to defend against it.
Sloppy strikes from Nazarethyan. Those never looked like landing.
Hand throws a big counter head kick but Nazarethyan avoids it with no problem.
Nazarethyan throws a sloppy head kick and Hand moves out of range easily.
Nazarethyan sets himself, and Hand steps forward looking for the clinch! Nazarethyan avoids it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarethyan circles away from the clinch attempt.
It looked like Nazarethyan was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nazarethyan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hand.
Hand tries to close the distance and clinch but Nazarethyan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hand shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nazarethyan pinned against the cage. Nazarethyan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nazarethyan went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Hand looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nazarethyan is fending him off so far but Hand persists. Nope, Nazarethyan circles away and we're back to standing.
Hand avoids a kick to the body.
Hand is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nazarethyan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hand.
Hand fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nazarethyan avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarethyan throws a leg kick but Hand checks it.
Nazarethyan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Suren Nazarethyan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nazarethyan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hand tries to counter with a clinch but Nazarethyan shakes him off and moves away.
Hand blocks a head kick by Nazarethyan.
Nazarethyan works Hand's body with a nice hook.

Nazarethyan tries to keep at a distance but Hand has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hand is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Nazarethyan to keep the fight standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Suren Nazarethyan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nazarethyan, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

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