PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Max Chaos (ranked 45 p4p, 478 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 5 p4p, 64 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Chaos might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Cannibal Corpse - Hammer Smashed Face. Nurmagomedov has chosen Dagestan (Remix) as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Chaos
vs
Nurmagomedov

180 cm
38
180
41 - 15 - 0

178 cm
39
175
29 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 41 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Max Chaos!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Bruno Hogan and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov throws a shot from downtown. Chaos moves away and avoids it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nurmagomedov or perhaps it was just good defense by Chaos, which made it look bad.
Chaos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nurmagomedov closes the distance looking to clinch

and Chaos counters with a single leg into guard. Nurmagomedov didn't expect that.
Chaos won't allow Nurmagomedov to sweep him here.
Chaos working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov keeping moving, preventing Chaos from controlling successfully.
Chaos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Chaos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nurmagomedov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Chaos throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chaos trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Nurmagomedov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Chaos is trying to control the position but Nurmagomedov postures up.
Chaos looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Chaos keeps moving.
Nurmagomedov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmagomedov won't allow Chaos to sweep him here.

Chaos throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Nurmagomedov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chaos has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nurmagomedov has managed to get both his arms back between Chaos's legs - danger averted.
Chaos can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nurmagomedov controls the pace.

Chaos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Chaos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Nurmagomedov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chaos takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nurmagomedov misses the shot to the body.
Chaos half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nurmagomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Chaos looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nurmagomedov throws a looping overhand right but Chaos ducks down to avoid it.
A slow jab from Nurmagomedov misses its intended target.
Nurmagomedov lands a slapping body shot.

Chaos closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Nurmagomedov throws Chaos to one side and escapes!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chaos uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nurmagomedov.
Chaos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Chaos shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov gets a takedown into half guard.
Nurmagomedov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Still in half guard, Nurmagomedov seems content to control.
Nurmagomedov trying to control from half guard but Chaos is working away.
Chaos tries to roll over but Nurmagomedov keeps him under control.

Chaos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but Chaos is blocking nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Chaos ducks under a wild hook from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov throws a looping overhand right but Chaos ducks down to avoid it.

Nurmagomedov moves into range and clinches up with Chaos.
Nurmagomedov digs a right hand underneath Chaos's ribcage. Chaos let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Nurmagomedov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Chaos is trying to keep an underhook but Nurmagomedov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Nurmagomedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nurmagomedov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Chaos trying to get back to full guard but Nurmagomedov takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Nurmagomedov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Nurmagomedov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
A nice elbow there by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov looking to control but Chaos is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Chaos is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov controlling his opponent.
Chaos regains half guard.
Chaos on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov prevents Chaos from improving his position.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the pace.

Chaos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chaos is pressing down on Nurmagomedov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nurmagomedov lands a couple of digs.
Nurmagomedov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Chaos is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nurmagomedov defends well.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Chaos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nurmagomedov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Chaos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chaos tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nurmagomedov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Nurmagomedov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Chaos looking for a sweep. Not yet Chaos, not yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Chaos 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 Chaos off to one side.
Chaos avoids a punch combination nicely.
Some wild striking there from Nurmagomedov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chaos shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Chaos was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Chaos in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Chaos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nurmagomedov keeps working.
Chaos postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Chaos cracks Nurmagomedov with a big right hand but Nurmagomedov just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Chaos sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Nurmagomedov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Chaos working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chaos misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
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!
Nurmagomedov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Chaos is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nurmagomedov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Chaos is trying to defend but Nurmagomedov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Chaos tries to get to full guard but Nurmagomedov has control of the leg.
Chaos gets full guard.
Chaos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurmagomedov is one step ahead there.
Chaos keeping moving, preventing Nurmagomedov from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Chaos haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov controls from within his opponent's guard.

Chaos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nurmagomedov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Nurmagomedov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Chaos looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Nurmagomedov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Nurmagomedov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Chaos wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Chaos is working hard here to advance position.
Nurmagomedov passes to side control.
Nurmagomedov landing a few strikes.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position but Chaos is working away.
Nurmagomedov controlling the position.
Chaos sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Chaos wants to improve his position but Nurmagomedov is controlling well.
Nurmagomedov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Nurmagomedov trying to control from half guard but Chaos is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chaos is trying to get back to full guard.

Chaos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov trying to control from half guard but Chaos is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Still in half guard, Nurmagomedov seems content to control.
Nurmagomedov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Chaos with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nurmagomedov sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jab, jab by Nurmagomedov - just one landing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sloppy strikes from Nurmagomedov. Those never looked like landing.
Nurmagomedov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Chaos was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov doesn't manage to clinch there - Chaos circles away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A big left from Nurmagomedov misses.
Nurmagomedov darts in trying to clinch

so Chaos counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Nurmagomedov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chaos looking to pass the guard.
Nurmagomedov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chaos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nurmagomedov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chaos.
Nurmagomedov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chaos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nurmagomedov is keeping the position for now.
Chaos loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Chaos throws an elbow that misses. Nurmagomedov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chaos's guard. Nice move by Nurmagomedov!

Chaos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Chaos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nurmagomedov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nurmagomedov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chaos looking for subs off his back but Nurmagomedov has passed one foot through into half guard.
Chaos is trying to get back to full guard.
Nurmagomedov wants to take a breather but Chaos is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chaos wants to sweep but Nurmagomedov has passed to side control!

Nurmagomedov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Chaos has escaped the position, nice work there.
Nurmagomedov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Chaos to see if he's OK.
Nurmagomedov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Chaos's shoulder. That is not cool.
Chaos manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nurmagomedov's best efforts.

Chaos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nurmagomedov pulls his head out easily.
Chaos is trying to get back to full guard.
Chaos makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Chaos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Chaos is working from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Nurmagomedov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Chaos tries to buck Nurmagomedov off but Nurmagomedov is having none of it.
Chaos on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position but Chaos is working away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Max Chaos will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nurmagomedov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Chaos doesn't seem bothered though.
Chaos slips a straight right by Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Chaos tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nurmagomedov is in Chaos's guard.
Nurmagomedov is in close to Chaos's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Chaos keeps moving.
Nurmagomedov controlling from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chaos throws his legs up looking for a submission but Nurmagomedov uses it to pass to side control.
Nurmagomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chaos keeps working.
Nurmagomedov is chipping away with strikes.
Chaos is being controlled here.
Chaos tries to buck Nurmagomedov off but Nurmagomedov is having none of it.
Nurmagomedov scoring with punches and elbows.
Chaos is not content to let Nurmagomedov control the position.

Nurmagomedov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Chaos, who protects the arm well.
Max Chaos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov happy to just control the position for now.
Chaos manages to get back to half guard.
Chaos is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nurmagomedov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nurmagomedov's back!
Chaos avoiding Nurmagomedov 's attempts to control his hands.

Chaos is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Nurmagomedov is defending well though. Chaos let's go of the attempt for now.
Nurmagomedov covering up well under a barage of strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov is in a bad position with Chaos working for a choke. Nurmagomedov manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
Nurmagomedov stopping the sweep attempt from Chaos.
Nurmagomedov 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 the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nurmagomedov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Chaos wants to sweep here but Nurmagomedov controlling him for the moment.
Chaos working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Chaos looking for a guillotine here but Nurmagomedov defends easily.
Nurmagomedov postures up.
Nurmagomedov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov stopping the sweep attempt from Chaos.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagomedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nurmagomedov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 46:50
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 46:50
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagomedov!
Khabib Nurmagomedov is the new welterweight champion!
After the fight, Khabib Nurmagomedov was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.