PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zvon Stakanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nogueira is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Gimme Shelter. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stakanov
vs
Rodrigo Nogueira

195 cm
20
260 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

191 cm
24
254 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Cobra Kai Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zvon Stakanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Sergei Dronov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Stakanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stakanov missing with a left hand there. Nogueira was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nogueira keeps the fight on the outside.
Stakanov wants to clinch up but Nogueira keeps it at a distance.

Nogueira closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nogueira.

Nogueira pulls guard.

Stakanov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nogueira has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stakanov has managed to get both his arms back between Nogueira's legs - danger averted.
Nogueira controls Stakanov momentarily but Stakanov frees himself.
Stakanov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Nogueira working for a triangle but Stakanov defends it easily.
Stakanov thows a big elbow that misses.
Nogueira managing to control the position.
Nogueira lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stakanov!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira wants to control the pace but Stakanov is squirming around nicely.
Stakanov is desperately trying to improve his position but Nogueira has a good base and remains in mount.
Stakanov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nogueira on the ground.
Nogueira landing strikes, looking to finish!

Nogueira is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Stakanov has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Nogueira working for a guillotine from mount but Stakanov is in no mood to give up.
Nogueira trying to control but Stakanov is having none of it.
Stakanov's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Nogueira looking to secure an arm triangle but Stakanov defends it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nogueira can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stakanov is looking to escape.
Stakanov is desperately trying to improve his position but Nogueira has a good base and remains in mount.

Nogueira is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Stakanov punishes Nogueira's body with a nice straight punch.
Nogueira slips a jab from Stakanov.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nogueira is defended easily by Stakanov.
Stakanov swinging wilding here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stakanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stakanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stakanov scores with a body shot.
Stakanov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nogueira.
Stakanov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nogueira paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stakanov ducks under a wild hook from Nogueira.
Nogueira avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nogueira avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Stakanov moves into range and clinches up with Nogueira.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira tries to pull guard but Stakanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Nogueira drops back down to his feet.
Stakanov prevents the takedown attempt.
Zvon Stakanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Nogueira jumps guard but Stakanov stands there with Nogueira around his waist. Nogueira gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stakanov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nogueira's elbow.
A right hook to the body lands for Stakanov.
Nogueira looks gassed!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stakanov has had enough of the clinch but Nogueira keeps him there for the moment.
A short uppercut from Stakanov.
A short right from Stakanov on the inside.
Stakanov presses Nogueira against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stakanov lands a shot to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Stakanov.
Stakanov misses with a body punch.
Stakanov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nogueira.

Stakanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nogueira takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stakanov connects with a looping right hand.
Stakanov lands an overhand right.
Stakanov throws a right and a left that both miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zvon Stakanov 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.

Stakanov drops Nogueira with a beautiful combination! Nogueira stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Stakanov is looking for the KO!

Nogueira is rocked!

It looks like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has been cut.
Stakanov throws an overhand right that has Nogueira reeling! Stakanov follows up with more punches and Nogueira is out cold! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Zvon Stakanov!