PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 1693 p4p, 1984 weight class) and Patrick Matthew (ranked 231 p4p, 259 weight class). Patrick Matthew will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Nurmagomedov
vs
Matthew

170 cm
22
162
6 - 4 - 0

178 cm
23
161
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Patrick Matthew!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Anthony Taglia and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthew throws the left hand but Nurmagomedov avoids the punch easily.
It looked like Nurmagomedov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Matthew cracks a nice hook into Nurmagomedov's ribs.
Nurmagomedov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nurmagomedov defending well as Matthew loads up on a big left hand.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a takedown but Matthew is quick to defend against it.
Nurmagomedov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nurmagomedov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Matthew tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Matthew.
Nurmagomedov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Matthew moves away from the strike by Nurmagomedov.
Matthew throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nurmagomedov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matthew catches Nurmagomedov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

It looks like Khabib Nurmagomedov has been cut.
Nurmagomedov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Matthew tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Matthew.
Matthew misses with a right hand
and Nurmagomedov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurmagomedov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Matthew lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthew scores with a sloppy right hand. Nurmagomedov should have avoided that one.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nurmagomedov or perhaps it was just good defense by Matthew, which made it look bad.
Matthew throws a hook to the side of Nurmagomedov's head but Nurmagomedov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Matthew looks to land a right hand but Nurmagomedov moved out of range.
Matthew stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matthew looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Matthew misses with an uppercut. Nurmagomedov saw that one coming.
Matthew dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Matthew throws a looping overhand right but Nurmagomedov ducks down to avoid it.
Matthew scores with a nice right hand.
Matthew misses with a hook.
Matthew waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nurmagomedov.
Matthew misses with a right hand
letting Nurmagomedov counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthew misses with a right hand
and Nurmagomedov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A combination from Matthew does no damage.
Nurmagomedov is looking to counter the offense by Matthew and move into the clinch.
Matthew throws a looping overhand right but Nurmagomedov ducks down to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nurmagomedov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Matthew with a jab.

Nurmagomedov has Matthew up against the cage in a clinch.
Matthew misses with the head strike.
Nurmagomedov throws a punch but it's blocked by Matthew.
Matthew lands a hook that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
Matthew lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
Nurmagomedov tries to land a knee to the head but Matthew blocks with his arms.
Matthew throws a punch but it's blocked by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands a shoulder strike.
Matthew tries a body shot but Nurmagomedov blocks it.
Nurmagomedov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Matthew blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matthew.
Matthew tries a body shot but Nurmagomedov blocks it.
Matthew lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nurmagomedov.
Matthew tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nurmagomedov misses with a knee to the head.
Matthew lands a hook that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
Nurmagomedov has a couple of punches blocked by Matthew.
Nurmagomedov throws a punch but it's blocked by Matthew.

Matthew's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matthew throws a lazy uppercut

and Nurmagomedov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Matthew is refusing to be controlled, as Nurmagomedov sits in half guard.
Nurmagomedov is looking to stall here but Matthew recovers full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurmagomedov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthew is controlling Nurmagomedov's posture.
Nurmagomedov wants to pass the guard but Matthew is keeping the position.
Nurmagomedov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Matthew controlling Nurmagomedov's posture.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Matthew can do anything to dispel that myth.
Nurmagomedov cracks Matthew with a solid left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Patrick Matthew dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Khabib Nurmagomedov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Matthew misses with a left hand
and Nurmagomedov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Matthew fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
Matthew looks to throw the jab but Nurmagomedov is out of range.
Matthew connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Matthew connects with a right hand. Nurmagomedov shakes it off.
Nice body punch from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matthew.

Nurmagomedov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Matthew can't find room to land a body shot as Nurmagomedov controls the action.
Matthew blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nurmagomedov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matthew can't find room to land a body shot as Nurmagomedov controls the action.
Nurmagomedov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matthew backwards.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matthew blocks an elbow strike from Nurmagomedov.
Matthew goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthew tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
I was talking to Nurmagomedov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Matthew misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matthew scores with a shot to the side of Nurmagomedov's head.
Matthew can't find room to land a body shot as Nurmagomedov controls the action.
A right hand to the body from Nurmagomedov.
Matthew blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matthew tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matthew has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Matthew dodges an elbow strike from Nurmagomedov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nurmagomedov.
Matthew can't find room to land a body shot as Nurmagomedov controls the action.
Matthew lands a hook that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
Matthew blocks a body shot from Nurmagomedov.
Matthew misses with a punch on the inside.
Matthew blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matthew lands with a short shot to the head.
Matthew struggles to land a body shot inside as Nurmagomedov controls his hands.
A hook to the body from Matthew.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matthew.
Nurmagomedov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nurmagomedov blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthew lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matthew lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nurmagomedov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Matthew throws a punch but it's blocked by Nurmagomedov.
Matthew gets through Nurmagomedov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Matthew misses with some punches.
Nurmagomedov lands with a right to the head.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the head.
Nurmagomedov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Matthew lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nurmagomedov or not.
Nurmagomedov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Matthew.
Nurmagomedov can't find room to land a body shot as Matthew controls the action.
Nurmagomedov pushes off an throws an elbow but Matthew leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nurmagomedov lands a body punch.
Matthew lands an uppercut.
Matthew misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nurmagomedov looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthew misses with the head strike.
Nurmagomedov has a couple of punches blocked by Matthew.
Matthew tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nurmagomedov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Matthew misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matthew doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nurmagomedov lands a shoulder strike.
Nurmagomedov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nurmagomedov pushes Matthew back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Matthew misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right hook to the body lands for Nurmagomedov.
Matthew swings wildly with an uppercut but Nurmagomedov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov lands a body shot.
Matthew blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matthew misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matthew blocks the elbow strike.
Matthew fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nurmagomedov working aggressively here.
Matthew dodges an elbow strike from Nurmagomedov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthew throws a punch but it's blocked by Nurmagomedov.
Matthew misses with a punch on the inside.
Matthew lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nurmagomedov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short uppercut from Nurmagomedov.
A short right from Matthew on the inside.
Matthew working aggressively here.
Matthew misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nurmagomedov lands with a left to the head.
Matthew lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Matthew blocks a body shot from Nurmagomedov.
Matthew misses with a punch on the inside.
Nurmagomedov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nurmagomedov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short uppercut from Matthew.
Nurmagomedov swings wildly with an uppercut but Matthew uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Patrick Matthew will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Khabib Nurmagomedov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nurmagomedov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matthew throws out the jab.
It looked like Nurmagomedov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Matthew.

Nurmagomedov has taken the fight to the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matthew.
Nurmagomedov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov can't find room to land a body shot as Matthew controls the action.
Nurmagomedov throws an elbow but it misses.
Matthew avoiding damage as Nurmagomedov throws knees to the body.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matthew pushes Nurmagomedov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nurmagomedov tries to land a knee to the head but Matthew blocks with his arms.
Nurmagomedov working aggressively here.
Matthew lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Matthew throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov misses with a punch on the inside.
Matthew lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Matthew swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Matthew lands with a left to the head.
Nurmagomedov misses with an elbow strike.
Matthew throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nurmagomedov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matthew struggles to land a body shot inside as Nurmagomedov controls his hands.
Nurmagomedov pushes off an throws an elbow but Matthew leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nurmagomedov lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matthew.
Matthew misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matthew lands a left hand.
Matthew struggles to land a body shot inside as Nurmagomedov controls his hands.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nurmagomedov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nurmagomedov prevents a body shot from Matthew.
Nurmagomedov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matthew misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nurmagomedov blocking some punches.
Nurmagomedov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Patrick Matthew seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nurmagomedov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nurmagomedov misses with some punches.
Matthew lands a body shot.
Patrick Matthew is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov misses with an elbow strike.
Good body shot from Nurmagomedov.
Matthew blocking some punches.
Nurmagomedov pushes Matthew back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nurmagomedov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matthew's elbow.
Matthew lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
Nurmagomedov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nurmagomedov has a couple of punches blocked by Matthew.
A short body shot lands from Matthew as the two fighters clinch.
Matthew lands with a left to the head.
Nurmagomedov gets through Matthew's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov has a couple of punches blocked by Matthew.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Matthew.
Matthew tries a body shot but Nurmagomedov blocks it.
Nurmagomedov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matthew avoids a wild elbow strike from Nurmagomedov.
Matthew blocks a body shot from Nurmagomedov.
Matthew doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nurmagomedov misses with a punch on the inside.
Matthew blocks an elbow strike from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov throws a head punch that misses.
Nurmagomedov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Matthew.
Nurmagomedov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nurmagomedov throws an elbow but misses.
A head punch on the inside from Nurmagomedov fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov lands a right hand.
Matthew struggles to land a body shot inside as Nurmagomedov controls his hands.
Matthew lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.

Matthew breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nurmagomedov misses the body punch
and Matthew counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Matthew lands a right hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matthew fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nurmagomedov on the side of the head.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matthew might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nurmagomedov blocks a jab.
The crowd cheers as Matthew lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nurmagomedov doesn't seem phased though.
Matthew connects with a right hand. Nurmagomedov shakes it off.
Nurmagomedov is looking to clinch but Matthew is avoiding it.
A cross from Matthew lands.
Nurmagomedov connects with a right hand. Matthew shakes it off.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Patrick Matthew.
I've got Matthew winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Patrick Matthew!
Patrick Matthew decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.