PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andrey Nazarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roy Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nazarov
vs
Nelson

185 cm
25
185 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

180 cm
24
181 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andrey Nazarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roy Nelson!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Alyssa Summers and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nelson tries to bum rush Nazarov with a series of wild strikes but Nazarov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nelson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nazarov sizes up Nelson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nelson misses with a wild body shot.
Nazarov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nelson.
Nazarov misses with a hook
and Nelson counters with a two punch combo.
Nelson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nazarov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nazarov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nazarov blocks a jab.
Nelson dips to his left and cracks Nazarov with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarov misses with a jab to the body

and Nelson counters with a shoot takedown. Nazarov fights it but they end up in guard.
Nelson stopping the sweep attempt from Nazarov.
Nazarov is working hard here to advance position.
Nazarov is pulling down on Nelson's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nazarov throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Nelson escapes and throws Nazarov's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Nazarov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Nelson off and has taken his back!
Nelson covering up well and avoiding damage.
Nelson is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Nazarov off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Nazarov punches the canvas rather than the man.
Nelson is really stuck here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
What can Nelson do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Nelson rolls, trying to escape but Nazarov keeps control of the position.
Even with his hooks in, Nazarov manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Nelson is keeping busy.
Nazarov is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Nelson. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.

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.
Nazarov is punishing Nelson with strikes - can he finish him?!
Nazarov lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Nelson is trying to break free.

Nazarov has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Nelson has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Nazarov is looking to control Nelson but Nelson is wriggling around and keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Nazarov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nazarov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nelson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nazarov somewhat.
Nazarov blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nelson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nelson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nazarov looks to land a left hand but Nelson moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nazarov.

Nazarov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nelson sprawls well initially but Nazarov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Nelson is trying to control but Nazarov passes into side control!
Nazarov cracks Nelson with a big right hand but Nelson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Nazarov working the ground and pound but Nelson is defending the strikes.
Nazarov trying to control the position but Nelson is working away.

Nazarov swings around for an armbar but Nelson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Nazarov's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nelson is one step ahead there.

Nazarov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Nelson uses it to pass to side control.
Nelson wants to control but Nazarov is keeping him busy.
Nazarov is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson trying to control the position but Nazarov is working away.
You can see the frustration on Nazarov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Nelson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nazarov keeps working.
Nazarov manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nazarov manages to get to full guard.
Nelson wants to pass the guard but Nazarov is keeping the position.

Nazarov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nelson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nelson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nelson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Nazarov dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nelson throws a poor cross that misses
and Nazarov counters with a nice uppercut.
Roy Nelson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nelson lands with a nice combination. Nazarov backs away looking to recover.
Nazarov misses with a right hand
and Nelson counters with a nice uppercut.
Nazarov swings widly with a right hand
and Nelson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nelson slaps away a takedown attempt from Nazarov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nelson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nazarov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nazarov swings widly with a right hand

and Nelson counters with a shoot takedown. Nazarov fights it but they end up in guard.
Nazarov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nazarov is keeping the position for now.
Nelson won't allow Nazarov to sweep him here.
Nazarov trying to keep a closed guard but Nelson is proving a slippery customer.
Nazarov wants to sweep here but Nelson controlling him for the moment.
Nelson passes Nazarov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Nazarov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nazarov moves into full guard.
Nelson won't allow Nazarov to sweep him here.
Nazarov controls Nelson momentarily but Nelson frees himself.
Nazarov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov wants to free his trapped foot but Nelson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Well, if Nazarov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nazarov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nelson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Roy Nelson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nelson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nazarov wants to control from the top but Nelson keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roy Nelson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nazarov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrey Nazarov!