PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Afanas First (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nolan Sugarlo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

First
vs
Sugarlo

192 cm
22
202 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Inexperienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION
♦Xplode Nutrition♦

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Afanas First!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nolan Sugarlo!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Valeri Chadov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

First cracks Sugarlo with a big right hand and Sugarlo goes down!

It looks like Nolan Sugarlo has been cut.
Sugarlo looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
First looking to sit in guard and control but Sugarlo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sugarlo wants to pass the guard but First is keeping the position.

First working for a triangle but Sugarlo defends it easily.
First on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if First tries to get out of the position.
First trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
First trying to control the position.
First keeping moving, preventing Sugarlo from controlling successfully.

First is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sugarlo is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
First throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sugarlo blocks a jab.
A jab lands there for First.
Sugarlo moves away from the strike by First.
Sugarlo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from First finds it's way round the side to connect with Sugarlo's head.

Sugarlo is rocked!
Sugarlo moves out of range as First strikes.
Sugarlo is still on wobbly legs! Can First finish him?
First misses the jab.
Sugarlo seems to have recovered his senses.
First lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sugarlo avoids a punch combination nicely.
First works the jab nicely.
First takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sugarlo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
First lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sugarlo walks into a left hand.
Sugarlo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sugarlo.
First falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sugarlo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sugarlo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
First creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sugarlo's defenses.
Sugarlo lands a left hand.
First doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sugarlo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sugarlo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sugarlo lands a nice uppercut.
A short right from Sugarlo on the inside.
First blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from First.
Sugarlo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
First lands with a left to the head.
Sugarlo presses First against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
First lands a hook to the side of the head.
First doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
First lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sugarlo backwards.
Sugarlo throws a head punch that misses.
Sugarlo takes an elbow to the temple.
First misses with a punch on the inside.
First fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
First working aggressively here.
First comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sugarlo blocks an uppercut.
Sugarlo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sugarlo takes an elbow to the temple.
Sugarlo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sugarlo blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sugarlo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of First backwards.
First tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
First lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sugarlo pushes First back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sugarlo misses with a punch on the inside.
First throws a punch but it's blocked by Sugarlo.
First has a couple of punches blocked by Sugarlo.
A short uppercut from First.
Sugarlo throws a punch but it's blocked by First.
First lands a left hand.
First pushes off an throws an elbow but Sugarlo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Sugarlo gets through First's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sugarlo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sugarlo has First pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. First manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
First tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
First tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
First throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Sugarlo gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sugarlo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

First is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sugarlo pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
First wants to improve his position but Sugarlo is controlling well.
Sugarlo trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sugarlo is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for First!
First working to try and regain half guard.
Sugarlo controlling from mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
First really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Afanas First dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nolan Sugarlo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sugarlo takes a jab right on the kisser.
First tries to bum rush Sugarlo with a series of wild strikes but Sugarlo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sugarlo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from First.
Sugarlo needs to keep his hands up - First had a free shot at his head there.
Sugarlo is looking to clinch.

Sugarlo moves into the clinch.
A short left from Sugarlo.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sugarlo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sugarlo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Sugarlo.
Sugarlo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
First creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sugarlo's defenses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for First.
First gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
First blocks a punch to the side of the head.
First scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sugarlo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sugarlo blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for First.
Sugarlo lands with a right to the head.
Sugarlo lands with a short shot to the head.
Sugarlo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of First backwards.
Sugarlo takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sugarlo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
First blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sugarlo.
First swings wildly with an uppercut but Sugarlo uses good head movement to avoid it.

Sugarlo wants the takedown. First is fighting it off but Sugarlo persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in First's guard against the cage.
First looking to control.
Sugarlo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Sugarlo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
First tries to buck Sugarlo off but Sugarlo is having none of it.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
First tries to buck Sugarlo off but Sugarlo is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sugarlo controls the position.
Sugarlo passes to full mount! That's big trouble for First!
First is desperately trying to improve his position but Sugarlo has a good base and remains in mount.
Sugarlo sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Let's hope that Sugarlo has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Nolan Sugarlo just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
First pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
First looks to land a right hand but Sugarlo moved out of range.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Sugarlo in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

Sugarlo moves into the clinch successfully.
Sugarlo lands an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, First creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
First lands a damaging elbow.
First throws a head punch that misses.
First working aggressively here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sugarlo.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sugarlo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sugarlo takes a shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A left hand lands to the body for Sugarlo.
Sugarlo has First pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. First manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Sugarlo.
First creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sugarlo's defenses.
Sugarlo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sugarlo lands with a right to the head.
First misses with an elbow strike.
First lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sugarlo lands with a left to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for First.
Sugarlo misses with the head strike.
Sugarlo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Sugarlo as the two fighters clinch.
First has a couple of punches blocked by Sugarlo.
A head punch on the inside from First fails to land.
First working aggressively here.
First creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sugarlo's defenses.
Sugarlo misses with a hook from the clinch.
First looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by First.
First pushes Sugarlo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sugarlo lands a shoulder strike.
Sugarlo blocking some punches.
Sugarlo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of First backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for First.
First misses with a punch on the inside.
First misses with a punch on the inside.
Sugarlo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of First backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nolan Sugarlo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nolan Sugarlo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sugarlo tries to clinch up but First circles away and keeps his distance.
First misses with a few strikes there.
Afanas First is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sugarlo clinches up with First and pushes him back against the cage.
First lands an elbow that stopped Sugarlo in his tracks for a moment.
First doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short left from First.
Nice elbow from First.
Sugarlo blocks an uppercut.
First working aggressively here.
First has a couple of punches blocked by Sugarlo.
Sugarlo lands a body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from First.
First doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
First throws a punch but it's blocked by Sugarlo.
First lands an elbow that stopped Sugarlo in his tracks for a moment.
First blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sugarlo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
First fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sugarlo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
First misses with some punches.
Sugarlo blocks an uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sugarlo misses with some punches.
A shot in the inside from First.
Sugarlo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sugarlo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sugarlo dodges an elbow strike from First.
First swings wildly with an uppercut but Sugarlo uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by First.

That's one minute gone in the round.
First's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
First looks to throw an elbow but misses.
First throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
First misses with some punches.
Sugarlo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of First backwards.
Sugarlo blocking some punches.
First misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sugarlo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
First lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sugarlo lands a left hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by First.
First swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sugarlo avoids a wild elbow strike from First.
Sugarlo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
First lands a right hand.
Good body shot from Sugarlo.
Sugarlo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
First lands an elbow inside.
First throws a head punch that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from First.

Sugarlo gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Sugarlo not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

First looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sugarlo prevents First from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sugarlo is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sugarlo trying to mount his opponent but First defends it.
Still in half guard, Sugarlo seems content to control.

Despite being in the dominant position, Nolan Sugarlo just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
First misses with a two punch combination.

Sugarlo moves into the clinch.
First lands a right hand.
First blocking some punches.
Sugarlo scores with a shot to the side of First's head.
First doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sugarlo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Firsts head.
First comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for First.
A head punch blocked on the inside by First.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sugarlo lands a right hand that snaps the head of First backwards.
Sugarlo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sugarlo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
First lands a nice elbow.
Sugarlo blocking some punches.
First lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Sugarlo.
Still in the clinch, Sugarlo scores with a nice short uppercut.
First has a couple of punches blocked by Sugarlo.
Sugarlo lands a right hand.
Sugarlo misses with some punches.
First throws a punch but it's blocked by Sugarlo.
Sugarlo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sugarlo lands with a light punch inside.
Sugarlo blocking some punches.
Sugarlo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sugarlo has a couple of punches blocked by First.
First throws a head punch that misses.
Sugarlo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sugarlo lands a nice shot to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Sugarlo.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A short uppercut from Sugarlo.
Sugarlo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
First lands with a right to the head.
First swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nice elbow from First.
First throws a punch but it's blocked by Sugarlo.
First misses with the head strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nolan Sugarlo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sugarlo has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nolan Sugarlo!