PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stevie Hughes (ranked 4297 p4p, 5880 weight class) and Daniyar Nurbolatov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hughes
vs
Nurbolatov

183 cm
18
180
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
19
179
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stevie Hughes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daniyar Nurbolatov!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Reed Andrews and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body kick there by Hughes.
Nurbolatov shoots for a takedown but Hughes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hughes tests Nurbolatov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nurbolatov shoots in looking for a takedown but Hughes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nurbolatov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nurbolatov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hughes counters with a nice body shot.
Stevie Hughes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniyar Nurbolatov.
Nurbolatov fails with a takedown attempt.
A punch lands to the side of Nurbolatov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hughes moves in looking to clinch but Nurbolatov pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurbolatov fails with the takedown
and Hughes counters with a nice uppercut.
Hughes getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hughes jabs at Nurbolatov's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hughes scores with a nice strike.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hughes!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurbolatov tries to move into range but Hughes moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hughes stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hughes getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
No luck for Nurbolatov with that takedown attempt.
Nurbolatov throws a body shot but no joy.
Nurbolatov misses with a takedown attempt
and Hughes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hughes throws a one two combo.
Hughes slips under a jab from Nurbolatov.
A punch lands to the side of Nurbolatov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Crunch! Hughes slams his shin into Nurbolatov's torso.
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!
Hughes pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Nurbolatov back to the cage. Hughes follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Nurbolatov swats away the attempt to clinch by Hughes.
Nurbolatov looks to throw the jab but Hughes is out of range.
Hughes cracks Nurbolatov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurbolatov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hughes lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nurbolatov backs up against the cage.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nurbolatov or perhaps it was just good defense by Hughes, which made it look bad.
Hughes is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Jab, jab by Hughes - just one landing.
Stevie Hughes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jab, jab by Hughes - just one landing.
Hughes stuffs the takedown attempt from Nurbolatov. Nurbolatov gets slowly back to his feet.

Hughes clinches.
Nurbolatov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nurbolatov is looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurbolatov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hughes pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hughes throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nurbolatov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nurbolatov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hughes scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nurbolatov misses with a takedown attempt
and Hughes counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nurbolatov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hughes makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nurbolatov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nurbolatov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hughes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes throws a series of strikes that have Nurbolatov backpedaling.
Nurbolatov dives in for a single leg takedown but Hughes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hughes lands a nice shot that snaps Nurbolatov's head back.
Nurbolatov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nurbolatov fails with the takedown
and Hughes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nurbolatov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hughes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hughes throws a big counter combination but Nurbolatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nurbolatov looks winded!
Hughes scores with a shot to the body.
Nurbolatov looks for a takedown but Hughes sprawls well.
Hughes seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Hughes is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Nurbolatov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurbolatov shoots and misses
enabling Hughes to counter with a crisp jab.
Hughes lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nurbolatov backs up against the cage.
Hughes throws a combination. Nurbolatov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Nurbolatov has his takedown stuffed
and Hughes counters with a series of strikes. Nurbolatov will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stevie Hughes dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nurbolatov fails with a takedown attempt.
Hughes tests Nurbolatov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nurbolatov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nurbolatov fails with the takedown
and Hughes counters with a nice uppercut.
Stevie Hughes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniyar Nurbolatov.
Hughes scores with a kick to the body.
Stevie Hughes is winning the standup battle so far.
Nurbolatov dives in for a single leg takedown but Hughes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hughes moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurbolatov with a poor takedown
and Hughes counters with a nice uppercut.
A shot to the liver by Hughes. Beautiful body shot.
Nurbolatov is breathing heavily.
Hughes tries to close the distance and clinch but Nurbolatov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hughes wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hughes cracks Nurbolatov with a good jab.
Hughes stalks Nurbolatov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nurbolatov's face. Nurbolatov staggers backwards, shaken.
Hughes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nurbolatov can do to turn this around?
Nurbolatov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hughes sprawls well. Hughes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nurbolatov gets slowly back to his feet.
Hughes throws out a powerful jab.
Nurbolatov misses with a straight left.
Nurbolatov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes scores with a shot to the body.
Nurbolatov fails with a takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Hughes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurbolatov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hughes counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nurbolatov misses with a body shot.
Hughes lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hughes.
Hughes is working the combinations to good effect here.
Nurbolatov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hughes counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurbolatov gets tackled into the cage by Hughes. Hughes maintains the clinch.
Nurbolatov can't get the takedown.

Hughes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hughes fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nurbolatov misses with a takedown
and Hughes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jab, jab by Hughes - just one landing.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hughes!
Hughes lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Hughes lands an overhand right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurbolatov shoots and misses
and Hughes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nurbolatov shoots in looking for a takedown. Hughes tries to sprawl out of it but Nurbolatov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hughes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nurbolatov misses with a takedown
and Hughes counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Nurbolatov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nurbolatov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nurbolatov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hughes counters with a nice uppercut.
Hughes works over Nurbolatov's head and body with a nice combination.
Nurbolatov is trying desperately to land a takedown but Hughes is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Nurbolatov.

Hughes closes the distance and clinches.
Hughes scores with a knee to the head.
Nurbolatov takes a shot to the head.

Hughes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hughes connects with a right hand. Nurbolatov shakes it off.
Nurbolatov shoots in but no luck this time.

Hughes clinches with his opponent.
Nurbolatov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hughes is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stevie Hughes dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Hughes is looking to clinch but Nurbolatov is avoiding it.
Hughes displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hughes throws out a powerful jab.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hughes!
Nurbolatov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nurbolatov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Hughes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hughes connects with a jab.
Nurbolatov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hughes!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurbolatov has a takedown stuffed.
Nurbolatov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nurbolatov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hughes counters with a straight right hand.
Stevie Hughes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniyar Nurbolatov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurbolatov has his takedown stuffed
and Hughes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hughes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hughes moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hughes moves in looking to clinch but Nurbolatov pushes him off.
Nurbolatov tries for a takedown but Hughes circles away easily
and Hughes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nurbolatov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nurbolatov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hughes stalks Nurbolatov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nurbolatov's face. Nurbolatov staggers backwards, shaken.
We've been informed that Nurbolatov has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Nurbolatov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nurbolatov darts in looking for a takedown but Hughes gets double underhooks and turns Nurbolatov into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurbolatov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hughes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nurbolatov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hughes closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nurbolatov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hughes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hughes fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hughes paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nurbolatov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Donk. Hughes catches Nurbolatov right on the button with a cross.
Hughes cracks Nurbolatov with an open hand slap.

Nurbolatov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Nurbolatov wants to control from the top but Hughes keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurbolatov looking to sit in guard and control but Hughes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nurbolatov looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Hughes is defending well. Nurbolatov quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Hughes has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Nurbolatov celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Daniyar Nurbolatov!
Daniyar Nurbolatov decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.