PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 4039 p4p, 24568 weight class) and Sammy Johns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Khabib Nurmagomedov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nurmagomedov
vs
Johns

177 cm
25
154
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
155
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sammy Johns!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johns closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Nurmagomedov to the mat! Nurmagomedov manages to get full guard.
Nurmagomedov being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagomedov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Johns content to stall in guard here.
Nurmagomedov is trying to control the position but Johns postures up.
Johns controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Nurmagomedov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Johns doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Johns manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johns is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johns throwing strikes from guard but Nurmagomedov blocks nicely.
Johns is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Johns postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov trying to keep a closed guard but Johns is proving a slippery customer.
Johns landing some decent shots from guard.
Nurmagomedov wants to sweep here but Johns controlling him for the moment.
Nurmagomedov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johns.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johns's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Johns loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johns controls from within his opponent's guard.
Johns must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Johns content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nurmagomedov trying to strike off his back.
Johns 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.
Johns lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nurmagomedov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johns sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johns works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Johns postures up.

Nurmagomedov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johns pulls his head out easily.
Johns is looking to advance position but Nurmagomedov won't allow it.
Nurmagomedov trying to hold on to Johns's head to control him but Johns postures up.
Johns landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Nurmagomedov looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johns prevents Nurmagomedov from improving his position.

Nurmagomedov looking for submissions off his back.
Johns thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nurmagomedov's head.
Nurmagomedov wants to get back to his feet.

Nurmagomedov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johns looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nurmagomedov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johns will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Johns moves out of range as Nurmagomedov throws a body kick.
Johns shoots in for a takedown but Nurmagomedov shows good takedown defense.
As Johns tries to get set, Nurmagomedov tries to push him back and clinch up but Johns manages to avoid the attempt.
Nurmagomedov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Johns showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nurmagomedov.
Johns shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nurmagomedov as he jumps to the side.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sammy Johns.

Johns bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Check out the look on Johns's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Nurmagomedov is trying to get back to half guard.
Johns tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov controls the position for a moment.
Johns trying to control the position but Nurmagomedov is working away.
Sammy Johns has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nurmagomedov is pushing Johns's head away, looking to escape. Johns manages to hold on to the position though.
Johns trying to control the action but Nurmagomedov is working from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov sneaks back into half guard.
Nurmagomedov is not content to let Johns control the position.

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.
Well, if Johns 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.
Nurmagomedov is trying to get back to full guard.
Johns sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nurmagomedov defending well though.
Nurmagomedov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Johns showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Nurmagomedov has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Johns doesn't defend quickly enough and Nurmagomedov has managed to lock this one up! Can Johns escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Nurmagomedov on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Khabib Nurmagomedov!