PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rolf Thorkildsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitry Nagiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thorkildsen comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - Hell's Bells. Nagiev has chosen Dmitry Nagiev - All I Promised as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Thorkildsen
vs
Nagiev

176 cm
27
165 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

177 cm
24
165 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

M/S Paint Fightwear **Laundry service**
Nordic Nutrition (160 Recovery $99)

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 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rolf Thorkildsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dmitry Nagiev!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorkildsen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Thorkildsen shoots in and gets a takedown into Nagiev's guard.
Nagiev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thorkildsen trying to control but Nagiev is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thorkildsen won't allow Nagiev to get back to his feet.
Thorkildsen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nagiev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thorkildsen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thorkildsen connects with a couple of short punches.
Thorkildsen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nagiev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nagiev wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Thorkildsen is now in half guard.
Thorkildsen wants to pass to mount but Nagiev is defending the position.
Thorkildsen trying to control the action but Nagiev is working from the bottom.
Nagiev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thorkildsen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nagiev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thorkildsen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorkildsen stops Nagiev from getting back to his feet.
Thorkildsen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Nagiev pushes Thorkildsen off and gets back to his feet.
Thorkildsen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A low kick from Nagiev misses
and Thorkildsen counters with a nice uppercut.
Nagiev defending well as Thorkildsen loads up on a big left hand.
A low kick from Nagiev misses
and Thorkildsen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Thorkildsen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nagiev slips a jab from Thorkildsen.
Nagiev fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Thorkildsen is out of range.
Thorkildsen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Thorkildsen checks a leg kick.
Thorkildsen throws a body punch but Nagiev moves out of range.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Nagiev.
Dmitry Nagiev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nagiev moves out of range as Thorkildsen strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Nagiev misses
and Thorkildsen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Thorkildsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nagiev manages to avoid it.
Nagiev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Thorkildsen.
Nagiev is looking to chop away at Thorkildsen's legs.
Thorkildsen swings widly with a right hand
and Nagiev counters with a low kick, right behind Thorkildsen 's knee.
Thorkildsen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thorkildsen is looking to clinch.
A head kick from Nagiev lands but Thorkildsen takes it in his stride.
Thorkildsen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thorkildsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nagiev.
Nagiev throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Thorkildsen fails to land the takedown.
Nagiev scores with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagiev scoring well with a low kick there.
Nagiev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Thorkildsen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nagiev counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Thorkildsen looks to score with a jab to the body but Nagiev is just out of range.
A low kick from Nagiev misses
and Thorkildsen counters with a straight right hand.
Nagiev throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Thorkildsen counter with a right hand.
Thorkildsen moves out of range of the leg kick from Nagiev.
Nagiev swats away the attempt to clinch by Thorkildsen.
Nagiev throws a low kick but Thorkildsen moves out of range easily.
Thorkildsen takes a swing at Nagiev's ribcage but misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nagiev. That's going to slow Thorkildsen down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagiev throws a low kick but Thorkildsen avoids it.
Thorkildsen dives in and grabs Nagiev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nagiev pushes down on Thorkildsen's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rolf Thorkildsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nagiev misses with a leg kick

and Thorkildsen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A short right from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen trying to stall but Nagiev improves his position.
Thorkildsen lands a shoulder strike.
Thorkildsen has Nagiev pressed against the cage, preventing Nagiev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Thorkildsen will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Nagiev up against the cage.

Nagiev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nagiev defending well as Thorkildsen loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nagiev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nagiev walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Thorkildsen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nagiev leaves Thorkildsen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolf Thorkildsen dominated that round.
That's time! Thorkildsen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nagiev keeps the fight on the outside.
Nagiev throws a wild body kick that Thorkildsen sees coming a mile off.
Nagiev misses with a leg kick
and Thorkildsen counters with a nice uppercut.
Nagiev scores with a kick to the body.
Dmitry Nagiev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice body punch from Thorkildsen.
Nagiev thows a leg kick but Thorkildsen checks it
and Thorkildsen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thorkildsen just misses with a punch to the body.
A clash of legs there as Thorkildsen blocks the low kick.
Thorkildsen looks to land a left hand but Nagiev moved out of range nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nagiev. That's going to slow Thorkildsen down.
Thorkildsen swings widly with a right hand
and Nagiev counters with a leg kick.
Nagiev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nagiev throws a leg kick
and Thorkildsen counters with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorkildsen misses with a body punch
and Nagiev counters with a nice low kick that buckles Thorkildsen's knee momentarily.
Nagiev throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Thorkildsen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rolf Thorkildsen is winning the standup battle so far.
Nagiev misses with a looping left.
Thorkildsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Thorkildsen throws a lazy uppercut
and Nagiev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nagiev is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A low kick from Nagiev misses

and Thorkildsen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Thorkildsen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nagiev just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nagiev tries to break the clinch but Thorkildsen is controlling the position.
Thorkildsen manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Thorkildsen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Nagiev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagiev wants to land a leg kick but Thorkildsen is out of range.
Thorkildsen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Thorkildsen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nagiev staying out of range there.
A low kick from Nagiev is predictable there

and Thorkildsen counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thorkildsen working the ground and pound but Nagiev is defending the strikes.
Thorkildsen misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Thorkildsen trying to control the action but Nagiev is working from the bottom.
Nagiev gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Thorkildsen is nestled in close to Nagiev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nagiev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thorkildsen.
Nagiev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen wants to take a breather but Nagiev is having none of it.
Thorkildsen prevents Nagiev from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thorkildsen trying to control from Nagiev's half guard. Nagiev has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Thorkildsen throwing strikes but missing.
Thorkildsen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Nagiev pushes Thorkildsen off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Thorkildsen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nagiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thorkildsen wants to clinch.
Thorkildsen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Nagiev counters with a thumping low kick.
A clash of legs there as Thorkildsen blocks the low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagiev throws a leg kick
and Thorkildsen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nagiev lands with a slapping head kick.
Nagiev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Good leg kick by Nagiev there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nagiev staying out of range there.
Thorkildsen shoots and misses
and Nagiev counters with an outside leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rolf Thorkildsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nagiev attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nagiev lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Thorkildsen scores with a jab to the jaw.
That kick from Nagiev tenderised Thorkildsen's leg. Thorkildsen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nagiev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nagiev misses with a leg kick
and Thorkildsen counters with a nice leg kick.
Nagiev throws a quick inside leg kick.
Thorkildsen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nagiev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolf Thorkildsen dominated that second round.
That's time! Thorkildsen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Thorkildsen with a lazy takedown attempt
and Nagiev counters with a head kick.
Nagiev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nagiev throws a leg kick which misses Thorkildsen's front leg but catches the back leg as Thorkildsen tries to avoid it.
Nagiev misses with a low kick.
Thorkildsen misses the body punch
and Nagiev counters with a big head kick but Thorkildsen shrugs it off.
Thorkildsen misses with a body shot
and Nagiev counters with a right hand to the body.
Thorkildsen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nagiev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thorkildsen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rolf Thorkildsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nagiev attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nagiev turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nagiev tried to score with a low kick but Thorkildsen checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagiev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nagiev thows a leg kick but Thorkildsen checks it
and Thorkildsen counters with a left to the body.
Nagiev throws a leg kick that is checked

and Thorkildsen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Nagiev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nagiev pushes Thorkildsen off looking to stand but Thorkildsen dives back in and keeps control.
Thorkildsen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nagiev keeps working.
Thorkildsen stops Nagiev from getting back to his feet.
Thorkildsen working the head and body with strikes.
Thorkildsen is pressing down on Nagiev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Nagiev is holding on for now.
Nagiev looks like he's trying to stand up.
Nagiev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thorkildsen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Dmitry Nagiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagiev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nagiev is trying to stand.
Thorkildsen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nagiev defending well though.
Nagiev wants to get back to his feet.
Nagiev tries to get to full guard but Thorkildsen has control of the leg.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Thorkildsen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thorkildsen lands with a punch from half guard.
Nagiev flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagiev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen drops an elbow to the side of Nagiev's head.
Thorkildsen drops an elbow to the side of Nagiev's head.
Thorkildsen winds up and cracks Nagiev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nagiev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thorkildsen.
Nagiev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Thorkildsen wants to control but Nagiev is keeping him busy.
Thorkildsen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nagiev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rolf Thorkildsen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nagiev is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Thorkildsen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Thorkildsen's back!
Thorkildsen tries to escape the position.
Nagiev missing with strikes from the back.
Nagiev somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Thorkildsen is trying to escape the mount.
Nagiev thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Thorkildsen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Thorkildsen sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Thorkildsen is looking for a sweep. Nagiev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Thorkildsen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Thorkildsen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nagiev defends it easily.

Nagiev drops back looking for a leg! Thorkildsen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Thorkildsen manages to kick Nagiev off! Nagiev jumps back into Thorkildsen's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rolf Thorkildsen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thorkildsen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rolf Thorkildsen!