PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 3326 p4p, 345 weight class) and Zlatan Zirkov (ranked 4663 p4p, 421 weight class). Khabib Nurmagomedov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Zlatan Zirkov's chin.

Nurmagomedov
vs
Zirkov

179 cm
21
155 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

172 cm
28
160 lbs
2 - 13 - 0

Solid boxing
Good chin

Excellent boxer
Knockout power

UnderGround Supplements

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zlatan Zirkov!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Sano and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zirkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nurmagomedov is looking for a counter combo.
Zirkov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nurmagomedov's head.
A jab lands there for Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov checks a low kick from Zirkov.
Zirkov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A bone on bone clash there as Nurmagomedov blocks the leg kick.
Zirkov misses with a low kick.
Nurmagomedov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nurmagomedov scores with a nice strike.
Nurmagomedov stuns Zirkov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Some wild striking there from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov throws a shot from downtown. Zirkov moves away and avoids it.
Zlatan Zirkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zirkov throws a body punch but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Zirkov throws a front kick aimed at Nurmagomedov's knee but Nurmagomedov avoids it well.
Nurmagomedov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zirkov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
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!
Zirkov misses with a head kick.
Zirkov throws a leg kick but Nurmagomedov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zirkov manages to avoid it.
Zirkov follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crunch! Zirkov slams his shin into Nurmagomedov's torso.
Zirkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zirkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zirkov tries to clinch up but Nurmagomedov circles away and keeps his distance.
Nurmagomedov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zirkov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Nurmagomedov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Nurmagomedov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A punch lands to the side of Zirkov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Zirkov scores with a nice body kick.
Zirkov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Jab, jab by Nurmagomedov - just one landing.
A punch combination from Zirkov misses.
Zirkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nurmagomedov throws out the jab.
Nurmagomedov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
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!
Zirkov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Zirkov wants to clinch.
Nurmagomedov misses with a shot to the body
and Zirkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zirkov looks to land a combination but Nurmagomedov avoids it well.
It looked like Nurmagomedov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Zirkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zirkov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nurmagomedov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Zirkov throws a body shot but no joy.
A cross from Zirkov lands.
Zirkov scores with a push kick.
Zirkov avoids the body shot from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zirkov.
Good standup being displayed there by Nurmagomedov as he connects with a hook.
Zirkov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Zirkov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nurmagomedov to score with a decent uppercut.
Zirkov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nurmagomedov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zirkov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nurmagomedov blocks a head kick by Zirkov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurmagomedov works Zirkov's body with a nice hook.
Zirkov avoids the body shot from Nurmagomedov.
Zirkov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Nurmagomedov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nurmagomedov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Zirkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Zirkov.
It looked like Nurmagomedov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Zirkov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Khabib Nurmagomedov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Zirkov throws a leg kick
and Nurmagomedov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice looking body shot.
Zirkov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot.
Zirkov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Zirkov lands with a straight right. Nurmagomedov didn't see that one coming.
Nurmagomedov throws the left hand but Zirkov avoids the punch easily.
Zirkov scores with a nice body kick.
Donk. Nurmagomedov catches Zirkov right on the button with a cross.
Nurmagomedov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nurmagomedov lands a body shot.
Nurmagomedov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zirkov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zirkov misses with a low kick as Nurmagomedov jumps back.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nurmagomedov checks a leg kick.
Jab from Nurmagomedov.
Zirkov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nurmagomedov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zirkov was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands a jab to Zirkov's midsection.
Nurmagomedov throws a body punch but Zirkov moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range of the leg kick from Zirkov.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook.
Zirkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurmagomedov.
Zlatan Zirkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nurmagomedov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zirkov throws out a leg kick but Nurmagomedov moves out of range and Zirkov only half commits.
Nurmagomedov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A big left from Nurmagomedov misses.
Nurmagomedov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zirkov fakes the leg kick and cracks Nurmagomedov in the body.
Zirkov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurmagomedov. Zirkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nurmagomedov cracks Zirkov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nurmagomedov looks to score with a jab to the body but Zirkov is just out of range.
Zirkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Nurmagomedov is looking to counter punch.
Zirkov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nurmagomedov just misses with a punch to the body.
Zirkov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nurmagomedov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zirkov tries to clinch up.
An attempted straight right counter from Nurmagomedov misses the target.
Zirkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zirkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nurmagomedov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Nurmagomedov is looking to wear down Zirkov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nurmagomedov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nurmagomedov swings for the body but Zirkov moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov swings for the body but Zirkov moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov blocks a head kick by Zirkov.
Zirkov misses with a jab to the body
and Zirkov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nurmagomedov loads up on a big right hand but Zirkov slips the punch.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range of the body kick from Zirkov.
Zirkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zirkov misses with a straight right.
Zirkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is winning the standup battle so far.
Nurmagomedov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zirkov was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurmagomedov.
Zirkov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nurmagomedov counters with a right hand to the body.
Zirkov is breathing heavily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurmagomedov avoids the head kick by Zirkov.
Zirkov throws a low kick but Nurmagomedov avoids it.
Zirkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nurmagomedov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nurmagomedov misses the shot to the body.
Zirkov misses with a wild body shot.
Nurmagomedov lands a lovely overhand right.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurmagomedov scores with a hook to the body. Zirkov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Zirkov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zirkov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nurmagomedov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Zirkov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zirkov wants to clinch.
A head kick misses from Zirkov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zirkov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zirkov.
Zirkov throws a jab when Nurmagomedov was well out of range.
Nurmagomedov's corner calls for a 1-2. Nurmagomedov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range as Zirkov throws a body kick.
Zirkov avoids the body shot from Nurmagomedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zirkov throws a head kick that misses.
Nurmagomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice straight punches there by Nurmagomedov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nurmagomedov.
Zirkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zirkov throws a push kick but Nurmagomedov slaps the foot to one side.
Zirkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zirkov just misses with a punch to the body.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zirkov manages to avoid it.
Zirkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nurmagomedov.
Zirkov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zirkov's head backwards.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nurmagomedov checks a leg kick.
Nurmagomedov lands a glancing blow to the side of Zirkov's head.
Zirkov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nurmagomedov.
Zirkov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zirkov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nurmagomedov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zirkov. Zirkov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurmagomedov swings for the body but Zirkov moves out of range.
Zirkov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Zirkov throws a chopping leg kick but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurmagomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Zirkov wants to counter the offense by Nurmagomedov and move into the clinch position.
Zirkov closes the distance but Nurmagomedov moves to the side
and Nurmagomedov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zirkov throws a sloppy head kick and Nurmagomedov moves out of range easily.
Nurmagomedov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Nurmagomedov takes a swing at Zirkov's ribcage but misses.
Nurmagomedov blocks a leg kick.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zirkov manages to avoid it.
Zirkov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Nurmagomedov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zirkov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nurmagomedov connects with a body shot that sends Zirkov's belly button to the back.
Zirkov throws a leg kick that misses.
Zirkov misses with a low kick as Nurmagomedov jumps back.
Nurmagomedov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zlatan Zirkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zirkov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nurmagomedov jabs Zirkov right on the nose. Zirkov blinks but takes it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagomedov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nurmagomedov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagomedov!
An out of breath Khabib Nurmagomedov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.