PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John McCall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Nabokov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nabokov has chosen Sparks - The Who as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McCall
vs
Nabokov

183 cm
26
180 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

182 cm
24
185 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

KAISER
Sparta Fightware

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John McCall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Igor Nabokov!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nabokov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nice jab there from McCall.
Nabokov walks into a straight right hand from McCall.

It looks like Igor Nabokov has been cut.

Nabokov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McCall's guard.
Nabokov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McCall swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCall is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nabokov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McCall swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCall preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nabokov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCall is keeping the position for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!

McCall is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall is looking to break free of the clinch but Nabokov has double underhooks.

McCall breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McCall throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McCall lands a glancing blow to the side of Nabokov's head.
McCall misses with a two punch combination.
McCall looks to score with a jab to the body but Nabokov is just out of range.
McCall scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
McCall pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nabokov is out of range and McCall settles back down.
Nabokov throws a leg kick but McCall sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nabokov throws a big shot that misses.
McCall works the jab nicely.
McCall tries to work over Nabokov's front leg with a kick but Nabokov checks it.
McCall stuffs the takedown.
McCall lands the left hand.
Nabokov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McCall sprawls well. McCall wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nabokov gets slowly back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCall looks for the body kick but Nabokov saw that one coming.
Good work by Nabokov as he checks the leg kick.
Nabokov shoots in but no luck this time.
John McCall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Nabokov.
McCall closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Nabokov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. McCall sprawls well initially but Nabokov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nabokov is working for a submission of some sort.
Nabokov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nabokov with the ground and pound but McCall uses the opportunity to regain guard.
McCall has a closed guard, preventing Nabokov from standing up.

Nabokov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
McCall is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nabokov is controlling him.
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.
Nabokov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed McCall's guard.
McCall is not content to let Nabokov control the position.
Nabokov wants to free his trapped foot but McCall is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Nabokov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nabokov is trying to control. McCall wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Nabokov is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John McCall will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Igor Nabokov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McCall throws a half hearted mid kick.
McCall moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
McCall lands a two punch combo.
McCall slaps away a takedown attempt from Nabokov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nabokov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McCall scores with a body shot.
Nabokov sizes up McCall with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCall throws a leg kick but Nabokov moved away.
Nabokov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nabokov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McCall tries to avoid it but Nabokov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McCall to the ground. McCall escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McCall lands with a right hand.
McCall connects with a nice looking jab.
Nabokov misses with a looping right.
Jab from McCall.
John McCall is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McCall punishes Nabokov's body with a nice straight punch.
Nabokov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McCall scores with a nice head shot.
John McCall is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Nabokov shoots in and gets a takedown into McCall's guard.
Igor Nabokov has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nabokov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McCall swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nabokov trying to control but McCall is working from the bottom.
McCall wants to get back to his feet but Nabokov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nabokov throwing strikes but missing.
Nabokov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nabokov pushes down on McCall's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Nabokov wants to pass the guard but McCall is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nabokov lands a nice short elbow.
Nabokov is thwarting McCall's attempts to control the position.
Nabokov wants to pass the guard but McCall is defending well.

McCall kicks Nabokov off and gets back to his feet.
McCall looks to land a combination but Nabokov avoids it well.
McCall attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

McCall gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCall keeping full guard, as Nabokov tries to pass.
Nabokov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nabokov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McCall has managed to free his arm - good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCall is refusing to be controlled, as Nabokov sits in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nabokov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that John McCall will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Igor Nabokov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nabokov misses with a two punch combination.

Nabokov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
McCall trying to hold on to Nabokov's head to control him but Nabokov postures up.
Nabokov is looking to take a break and control but McCall is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nabokov tries to stand but can't do so whilst McCall controls his leg.
Nabokov working over McCall with some ground and pound. McCall looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nabokov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nabokov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nabokov trying to control the action but McCall is working from the bottom.
Nabokov prevents McCall from standing back up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Nabokov looking for a submission but McCall manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
McCall looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Nabokov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nabokov wants to lay and pray for a moment but McCall keeps working.
Nabokov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for McCall!

Nabokov is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but McCall is surviving well by controlling Nabokov's body position as best he can.
Nabokov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

McCall is rocked!
Nabokov loads up with a big shot that hurts McCall! He's pulled Nabokov in close but Nabokov has postured up and lands more strikes. Can McCall survive? More strikes from Nabokov and McCall is out! The ref jumps in to save him! Brutal ground and pound!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Igor Nabokov!
After winning the bout, Igor Nabokov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.