PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tsuyoi Kakuto (ranked 2328 p4p, 3242 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kakuto comes into the arena with Gorillaz-Dirty Harry blaring out of the sound system. Nurmagomedov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Khabib Nurmagomedov Mix || The Eagle Motivation. Khabib Nurmagomedov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kakuto
vs
Nurmagomedov

190 cm
38
204
17 - 8 - 0

190 cm
20
217
5 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tsuyoi Kakuto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Trevor Gratis and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Nurmagomedov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kakuto throws a big counter combination but Nurmagomedov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nurmagomedov misses the jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Nurmagomedov misses the target.
Kakuto doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nurmagomedov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Tsuyoi Kakuto has been cut.
We've been told by Kakuto's head coaches at Canucks Combat Club that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kakuto throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nurmagomedov's waist but Nurmagomedov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kakuto off to one side.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook
and Kakuto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nurmagomedov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
No luck for Kakuto with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tsuyoi Kakuto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kakuto gets a double leg takedown into Nurmagomedov's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kakuto decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kakuto keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nurmagomedov.
Kakuto slips a jab from Nurmagomedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kakuto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Kakuto scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Nurmagomedov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kakuto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kakuto stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Nurmagomedov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kakuto is standing up over Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov looks to escape but Kakuto dives into side control.

Kakuto stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kakuto scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Nurmagomedov tries to kick Kakuto off in order to stand up. Kakuto Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kakuto decides to stand up, so the ref orders Nurmagomedov to his feet.

Kakuto bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nurmagomedov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Kakuto has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook. Kakuto ducked under it nicely.
Kakuto fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakuto dives in for a single leg takedown but Nurmagomedov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nurmagomedov has a couple of punches blocked by Kakuto.
A head punch on the inside from Nurmagomedov fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nurmagomedov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kakuto.
Kakuto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nurmagomedov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nurmagomedov is working Kakuto over against the cage.
Nurmagomedov throws a head punch that misses.
Nurmagomedov has a couple of punches blocked by Kakuto.
Nurmagomedov digs a right hand underneath Kakuto's ribcage. Kakuto let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kakuto tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kakuto's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kakuto can't get the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov has a couple of punches blocked by Kakuto.
Nurmagomedov tries to throw a body punch but Kakuto avoids it by throwing Nurmagomedov back against the cage.
Nurmagomedov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nurmagomedov lands with a left to the head.
Nurmagomedov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nurmagomedov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nurmagomedov misses with a short punch on the inside.

Kakuto pulls guard effortlessly.

Kakuto scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Nurmagomedov gets caught flat footed, as Kakuto shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Nurmagomedov manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Nurmagomedov misses with a right hand
and Kakuto counters with a left and a right that stings Nurmagomedov.
Kakuto throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nurmagomedov's waist but Nurmagomedov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kakuto off to one side.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tsuyoi Kakuto's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kakuto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nurmagomedov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kakuto somewhat.
Nice shot by Nurmagomedov.
Kakuto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nurmagomedov circles away.
Nurmagomedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Kakuto drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nurmagomedov wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Kakuto manages to pass to side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kakuto escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kakuto.

Kakuto drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Nurmagomedov is looking to get back to his feet here but Kakuto is keeping cool and he's managed to take Nurmagomedov's back.
Kakuto is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kakuto has Nurmagomedov's back but decides to stand back up... Obviously he fancies his chances in the standup department!
Nurmagomedov throws an overhand right that lands on Kakuto's shoulder, as Kakuto tries to avoid the shot.
A big left from Nurmagomedov misses.
Nurmagomedov scores with the left hand. Kakuto knows he should have avoided that one.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kakuto or perhaps it was just good defense by Nurmagomedov, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tsuyoi Kakuto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kakuto shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov is working an open guard so Kakuto takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Kakuto shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kakuto showed some decent athleticism there.

Nurmagomedov pushes Kakuto off, looking to escape but Kakuto dives into side control. He's locked up a kimura now - that was fast! He's cranking on it and Nurmagomedov is forced to tap! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Tsuyoi Kakuto!
A very excited looking Tsuyoi Kakuto made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.