PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Duke Ellington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Radev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Duke Ellington has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ellington
vs
Radev

186 cm
33
200 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

184 cm
20
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
World class MT
Heavy handed

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Duke Ellington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikolai Radev!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Radev scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Radev throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ellington.
Ellington thuds a left hand into Radev's body.
Ellington closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Nikolai Radev has been cut.
Ellington throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Radev avoids the body shot from Ellington.
Ellington throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Radev connects with a solid leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Radev scoring well with a low kick there.

Ellington gets caught napping as Radev dives in and scores a takedown. Ellington manages to retain guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Radev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Radev makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Radev throws a big elbow that misses.
Radev with a nice head shot there.
Ellington on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ellington tries to get out of the position.
Radev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radev throws a strike but Ellington rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ellington knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Radev on the ground.
Ellington won't allow Radev to sweep him here.
Radev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Radev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ellington is one step ahead there.
Ellington wanted to stand there but Radev had control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radev seems keen to control Ellington's posture.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Radev looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ellington trying to control here.
Radev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Radev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ellington makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ellington.
Ellington controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev preventing the sweep.
Ellington avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Radev trying to control the position from guard on top but Ellington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Radev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Radev postures up in Ellington's guard and throws a big left but Ellington blocks it.
Radev working some strikes from top position.
Ellington looking to hit a scissor sweep but Radev is one step ahead there.
Radev wants to pass the guard but Ellington is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ellington works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ellington is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ellington working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Radev.
Radev postures up in Ellington's guard and throws a big left but Ellington blocks it.
Ellington wants to sweep here but Radev controlling him for the moment.
Radev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Radev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ellington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Radev working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Radev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Radev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nikolai Radev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ellington cracks Radev with an open hand slap.
Duke Ellington is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ellington thows a left - swing and a miss!
Radev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ellington throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Radev on the side of the head.
Ellington fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Duke Ellington is winning the standup battle so far.
Radev moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Radev is looking to chop away at Ellington's legs.
A slow jab from Ellington misses its intended target.
Ellington tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Radev was well out of range. Poor timing from Ellington.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ellington. Radev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Radev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Radev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Donk. Radev catches Ellington right on the button with a cross.
Radev closes the distance and clinches up with Ellington, looking for a takedown. Radev pushes Ellington against the cage but Ellington circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Radev shoots in and drives through. Ellington sprawls well.
Ellington throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radev tries to clinch there but Ellington circles away.
Radev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ellington fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Radev manages to avoid it.
Ellington lands a jab to Radev's midsection.
Nice uppercut lands for Radev. That snapped Ellington's head back.
Radev lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Radev walks into a stiff left hand from Ellington.
Radev motions for Ellington to come forward. Radev throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Radev shoots for a double leg takedown but Ellington sprawls well. He's pushed Radev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Duke Ellington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolai Radev.
Ellington throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Duke Ellington is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Radev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Radev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ellington pinned against the cage. Ellington gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Radev scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ellington in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Radev looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Radev prevents Ellington from improving his position.
Radev slows the pace down in half guard.
Radev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Radev lands strikes from half guard.
Nikolai Radev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ellington on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ellington tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Radev working over Ellington with some ground and pound. Ellington looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Radev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ellington is not content to let Radev control the position.
Radev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ellington defending well though.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Radev lands a nice short elbow.
Radev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Radev is nestled in close to Ellington, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Radev looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Radev thows a huge punch but Ellington dodges it nicely.
Radev is looking to take a break and control but Ellington is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Radev lands with a punch from half guard.
Radev is nestled in close to Ellington, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Radev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ellington knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Radev prevents Ellington from improving his position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Radev works his way into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Radev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nikolai Radev's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ellington 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.
Ellington circles away from the clinch attempt.
Radev moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Radev throws a sloppy head kick and Ellington moves out of range easily.

Radev clinches.
Ellington displaying some good clinch control by pressing Radev up against the cage.
Radev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Ellington breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ellington lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ellington ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Radev moves away.
Radev attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Radev throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellington on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Radev has managed to clinch.
Radev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Radev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Radev cracks Ellington with a nice body shot.
Radev taking a breather.
Radev misses with a hook to the ribs.

Radev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ellington avoids a punch combination nicely.
Radev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Radev shoots in looking for a takedown but Ellington manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Radev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ellington fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Radev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ellington fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Radev manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Radev.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Radev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ellington.
Ellington ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Radev moves away.
Ellington fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Radev manages to avoid it.
Radev gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Radev misses with a jab to the body
and Ellington counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Jab from Radev.
Ellington throws a series of punches but Radev avoids them all with ease.
Ellington misses with a body shot.
Ellington is looking to wear down Radev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Radev throws a head kick that Ellington semi-blocks.
Radev takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Radev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Radev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Radev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev tries to clinch but Ellington is having none of it.
Ellington is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ellington. Radev does a little dance to reset his feet.

Radev takes the fight into the clinch.
Radev is trying to drag Ellington to the mat but Ellington just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A head punch on the inside from Ellington fails to land.
Radev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Radev just leaning against Ellington, taking a breather.
Radev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ellingtons head.
Radev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ellingtons head.
Ellington tries to stall but Radev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ellington.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radev is leaning against Ellington and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Radev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Radev lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ellington.
Radev stalling.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Radev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ellington backwards.
Ellington looking to slow down the pace here.
Radev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A bit of stalling here from Radev.
Ellington stalling in the clinch but Radev improves position.
Duke Ellington has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikolai Radev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Radev gets through Ellington's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Radev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Radev slowing the pace effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Radev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Radev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Radev!