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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 355 p4p, 594 weight class) and Conor Butcher (ranked 43 p4p, 72 weight class). Nurmagomedov's entrance music is Dagestan (Remix). A fine choice. Butcher comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Eaten by Bloodbath kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 178 cm
28
170
9 - 1 - 0 |
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173 cm
20
169
6 - 0 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power |
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Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor Butcher!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Eddie Farnsworth and Reed Andrews.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice cross by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov misses with a few strikes there.
Nurmagomedov just misses with a punch to the body.
Butcher rushes Nurmagomedov and presses him up against the cage.
We've been hearing reports that Nurmagomedov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Butcher stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Butcher decides to pull guard.
Nurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Butcher keeps moving.
Butcher pulls Nurmagomedov in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butcher avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov cracks Butcher with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Butcher lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Nurmagomedov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Butcher not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Nurmagomedov 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.
Butcher pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nurmagomedov is keeping the position for now.
Nurmagomedov 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.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov managing to control the position.
Nurmagomedov looking for a sweep. Not yet Nurmagomedov, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Butcher looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Let's hope that Butcher has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurmagomedov. Butcher does a little dance to reset his feet.
Butcher shoots and misses
and Nurmagomedov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Butcher's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Butcher looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Butcher avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Butcher pulls Nurmagomedov in close to his closed guard and prevents Nurmagomedov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Nurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Butcher keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov content to stall in guard here.
Nurmagomedov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Butcher has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nurmagomedov has managed to get both his arms back between Butcher's legs - danger averted.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov throws a strike but Butcher rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Nurmagomedov looking for a sweep. Not yet Nurmagomedov, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Nurmagomedov lands a slapping body shot.
Nurmagomedov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Butcher can do to turn this around?
Nurmagomedov throws a good cross that connects.
Butcher stuffs the takedown.
Nurmagomedov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Butcher to the mat! Butcher manages to get full guard.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Butcher is working from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nurmagomedov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Butcher works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov throws a big elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov being controlled here momentarily.
Nurmagomedov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Butcher swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nurmagomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Butcher is retaining full guard.
Nurmagomedov postures up in Butcher's guard and throws a big left but Butcher blocks it.
Nurmagomedov is looking to work some ground and pound but Butcher has wrist control.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Butcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range as Butcher strikes.
Nurmagomedov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nurmagomedov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Butcher throws out the jab.
Butcher closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nurmagomedov circles away.
Nurmagomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Butcher waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nurmagomedov.
Butcher wants to clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the side of Butcher's head but Butcher sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nurmagomedov sets himself, and Butcher steps forward looking for the clinch! Nurmagomedov avoids it this time.
Butcher closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nurmagomedov circles away.
Butcher swings for the body but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Butcher as he avoids it easily.
Nurmagomedov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Nurmagomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Butcher is trying to get back to full guard.
Nurmagomedov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nurmagomedov working the head and body with strikes.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Butcher with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nurmagomedov lands with a punch from half guard.
Butcher keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Butcher is not content to let Nurmagomedov control the position.
Nurmagomedov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nurmagomedov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Butcher's head.
Nurmagomedov thows a huge punch but Butcher dodges it nicely.
Nurmagomedov trying to mount his opponent but Butcher defends it.
Butcher blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nurmagomedov.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov thows a huge punch but Butcher dodges it nicely.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but Butcher is blocking nicely.
Nurmagomedov trying to control from half guard but Butcher is working away.
Butcher blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Butcher has hold of Nurmagomedov's hands but Nurmagomedov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
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!
Butcher fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nurmagomedov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Nurmagomedov duly obliges.
Nurmagomedov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nurmagomedov misses with a looping left.
Butcher moves into the clinch.
Nurmagomedov blocking some punches.
Nurmagomedov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nurmagomedov blocks an uppercut.
Butcher working aggressively here.
Nurmagomedov has Butcher pressed against the cage.
Nurmagomedov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Butcher is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butcher blocks a body shot from Nurmagomedov.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Nurmagomedov misses with the head strike.
Butcher goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nurmagomedov prevents it.
Butcher swings wildly with an uppercut but Nurmagomedov uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Butcher as Nurmagomedov tries to tie him up.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the head.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Butcher tries to throw a body punch but Nurmagomedov avoids it by throwing Butcher back against the cage.
Butcher blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Butcher jumps guard and drags Nurmagomedov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes from guard but Butcher blocks nicely.
Butcher avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Butcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Butcher seems keen to control Nurmagomedov's posture.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher working a defensive guard here.
Nurmagomedov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nurmagomedov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nurmagomedov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nurmagomedov working some strikes from top position.
Nurmagomedov is looking to work some ground and pound but Butcher has wrist control.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes but missing.
Butcher trying to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov with a flurry of punches that miss.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Nurmagomedov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Butcher's half guard.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but Butcher is blocking nicely.
Nurmagomedov with the ground and pound but Butcher uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Butcher has momentary wrist control but Nurmagomedov slips an elbow through the middle.
Nurmagomedov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Butcher's head.
Nurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Butcher keeps moving.
Nurmagomedov is looking to pass into half guard but Butcher pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Butcher is in guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher won't allow Nurmagomedov to sweep him here.
Butcher missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Butcher trying to control the position from guard on top but Nurmagomedov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Butcher controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Khabib Nurmagomedov clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Nurmagomedov stalks Butcher and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Butcher's face. Butcher staggers backwards, shaken.
It looks like Conor Butcher has been cut.
Butcher connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nurmagomedov momentarily.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is winning the standup battle so far.
Butcher shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nurmagomedov sprawls well. Nurmagomedov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Butcher gets slowly back to his feet.
Butcher fails with the takedown
and Nurmagomedov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Butcher shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nurmagomedov defends it nicely.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor Butcher.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Butcher manages to avoid it.
Butcher keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Butcher wants to counter the offense by Nurmagomedov and move into the clinch position.
Nurmagomedov lands a jab to Butcher's midsection.
Nurmagomedov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov gets a double leg takedown into Butcher's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher can't keep his opponent in guard - Nurmagomedov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Butcher is trying to get back to full guard.
Nurmagomedov is trying to control. Butcher wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nurmagomedov is thwarting Butcher's attempts to control the position.
Butcher has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Nurmagomedov winds up and cracks Butcher with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Butcher's head.
Nurmagomedov is stalling here. Butcher is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Nurmagomedov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Butcher has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov tries to bench press Butcher off him but Butcher keeps the position.
Nurmagomedov is trying to escape the position but Butcher is controlling the position.
Nurmagomedov wants to control but Butcher postures up.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Nurmagomedov tries to buck Butcher off but Butcher is having none of it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher tries to move to mount but Nurmagomedov blocks the move with his legs.
Butcher controls the position from side control.
Nurmagomedov is trying to control Butcher's posture but Butcher avoids it.
Nurmagomedov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Butcher trying to control the action but Nurmagomedov is working from the bottom.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nurmagomedov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Butcher fails in his attempt to clinch.
Butcher throws the left hand but Nurmagomedov avoids the punch easily.
Butcher gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short uppercut from Butcher.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Butcher has hold of one of Nurmagomedov's legs. Nurmagomedov is fighting the takedown attempt but Butcher gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Nurmagomedov 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.
Butcher throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Khabib Nurmagomedov had his way with Conor Butcher in that round.
The cut man is working on Conor Butcher's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!
Nurmagomedov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Butcher moves forwards but Nurmagomedov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nice takedown defense from Butcher. No joy for Nurmagomedov on that attempt.
Butcher fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nurmagomedov just misses with a punch to the body.
Butcher closes the distance and clinches up with Nurmagomedov, looking for a takedown. Butcher pushes Nurmagomedov against the cage but Nurmagomedov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Butcher. Nurmagomedov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Butcher takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Butcher shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nurmagomedov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Butcher controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Butcher is continuing to stall.
That's one minute gone in the round.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Butcher won't allow Nurmagomedov to sweep him here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Conor Butcher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Butcher trying to control the position from guard on top but Nurmagomedov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Butcher fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nurmagomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Nurmagomedov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Butcher drives through with a takedown into Nurmagomedov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Nurmagomedov has control of Butcher's left arm, preventing Butcher from doing any damage.
Butcher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov wants to improve his position but instead Butcher has moved into half guard.
Khabib Nurmagomedov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nurmagomedov holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Butcher is thwarting Nurmagomedov's attempts to control the position.
Butcher controlling the action here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Butcher stalling away here and it's allowed Nurmagomedov to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nurmagomedov is looking to sweep but instead, Butcher has passed into half guard.
Nurmagomedov won't allow Butcher to pass to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov controlling the position well.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Conor Butcher.
I think Nurmagomedov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 49:46
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 49:46
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagomedov!
Khabib Nurmagomedov retains his lightweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Khabib Nurmagomedov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
33% |
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