PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vadim Nazarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and To Hak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nazarov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, "Fade to Black" by Metallica. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nazarov
vs
Hak

187 cm
22
195 lbs
6 - 3 - 2

175 cm
22
189 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

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 6 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vadim Nazarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, To Hak!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nazarov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hak can pounce on him.
A slow jab from Nazarov misses its intended target.
Nazarov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Nazarov takes one to the chin there.
Hak cracks Nazarov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hak thuds his right hand into Nazarov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hak cracks the inside of Nazarov's front leg.
Hak thumps Nazarov with a low kick.
Nazarov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hak tries to avoid it but Nazarov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hak to the ground. Hak escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nazarov shoots in but no luck this time.

Nazarov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hak's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nazarov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hak works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hak wants to sweep but no luck.
Nazarov postures up.
Nazarov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nazarov trying to control but Hak is working from the bottom.
Hak looking for a sweep. Not yet Hak, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarov wants to control from the top but Hak keeps moving.
Hak looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nazarov is one step ahead there.
Nazarov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hak utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hak looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Nazarov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Hak moves into full guard.
Nazarov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hak trying to control the position here.
Nazarov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov won't allow Hak to sweep him here.
Nazarov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hak is trying to control the position but Nazarov postures up.
Nazarov throwing strikes from guard but Hak blocks nicely.
Nazarov 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.
Hak wants to sweep here but Nazarov controlling him for the moment.
Nazarov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nazarov throwing strikes but missing.
Nazarov tries to free his leg and advance position but Hak is retaining full guard.
Hak tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov stands up over Hak, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hak keeping full guard, as Nazarov tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nazarov wants to control from the top but Hak keeps moving.
Hak looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nazarov is one step ahead there.

Hak looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hak tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hak trying to keep a closed guard but Nazarov is proving a slippery customer.
Hak avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Hak working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nazarov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nazarov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov is looking to work some ground and pound but Hak has wrist control.
Hak keeping moving, preventing Nazarov from controlling successfully.
Nazarov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hak is looking to control Nazarov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hak avoid being mounted?
Nazarov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Hak is staying active underneath Nazarov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hak is looking to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nazarov is pressing down on Hak's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hak is holding on for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nazarov working the head and body with strikes.
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 Vadim Nazarov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nice sprawl there from Hak as Nazarov shoots in.
A shot to the liver by Hak. Beautiful body shot.
Hak throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nazarov.

Hak clinches up against the cage.
Hak lands a body shot.
Nazarov tries for a takedown but Hak manages to get underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nazarov.
Still in the clinch, Hak scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nazarov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hak's elbow.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hak takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hak scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nazarov can't find room to land a body shot as Hak controls the action.
Nazarov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hak backwards.
Nazarov misses with the head strike.
Hak blocks an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hak swings wildly with an uppercut but Nazarov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hak blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hak lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hak lands a hook that snaps the head of Nazarov backwards.
Hak throws a punch but it's blocked by Nazarov.
Hak works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hak misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nazarov is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vadim Nazarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hak lands a shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hak gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nazarov.
Hak has a couple of punches blocked by Nazarov.
Hak lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hak lands a body shot.
Hak throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hak tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hak prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nazarov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hak pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nazarov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hak connects with a single shot there.
Nazarov misses with a wild body shot.
Nazarov looks to score with a jab to the body but Hak is just out of range.
Nazarov takes a jab right on the kisser.

Hak gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hak misses with a body punch.
Hak scores with a shot to the side of Nazarov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov is working Hak over against the cage.
To Hak seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Nazarov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Hak regains guard immediately.
Nazarov trying to control but Hak is working from the bottom.
Hak looking to control.

Hak is looking for a triangle but Nazarov pushes his legs off easily.
Hak is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Hak winds up and cracks Nazarov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hak seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nazarov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nazarov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hak scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov tries to get to full guard but Hak has control of the leg.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hak drops an elbow to the side of Nazarov's head.
Hak is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Nazarov reverses the position - he's now on top in Hak's guard.

Hak has his foot on Nazarov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nazarov works his way back into a safe position though.
Nazarov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hak preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nazarov connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hak lands some strikes from the bottom.
Nazarov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hak wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Nazarov is now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

To Hak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Nazarov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hak sprawls well. Hak wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nazarov gets slowly back to his feet.
Nazarov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hak circles away.
Hak lands a really nice looking cross but Nazarov seems unphased.
Hak lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nazarov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hak has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Nazarov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Hak fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A shot to the liver by Hak. Beautiful body shot.
Hak works Nazarov's body with a nice hook.
Nazarov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Good exchange - Hak coming out on top.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nazarov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vadim Nazarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nazarov walks into a jab.
Hak feints and then cracks Nazarov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nazarov down.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hak.
Nazarov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
That kick from Hak tenderised Nazarov's leg. Nazarov is trying to keep his angry face on.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hak.
Hak thuds his right hand into Nazarov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
To Hak is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hak scores with a jab to the head.
Nazarov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nazarov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hak lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nazarov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hak lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hak has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nazarov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hak fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nazarov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hak lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nazarov blocks an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Hak.
A short body shot lands from Hak as the two fighters clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Hak.
Hak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nazarov backwards.
Hak lands with a light punch inside.
A shot in the inside from Hak.
Hak can't find room to land a body shot as Nazarov controls the action.
Hak lands a left hand.
Still in the clinch, Hak scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hak gets through Nazarov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Hak.
Nazarov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nazarov tries a body shot but Hak blocks it.
Hak lands a hook that snaps the head of Nazarov backwards.
Hak lands a right hand.
Hak working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hak misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hak misses with a punch to the body.
Hak misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hak lands with a left to the head.
Hak has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hak misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nazarov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nazarov tries a body shot but Hak blocks it.
Nazarov tries to work over Hak's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hak throws a punch but it's blocked by Nazarov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hak lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

It looks like Vadim Nazarov has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hak lands with a left to the head.
Hak lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nazarov backwards.
Hak working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Nazarov is rocked!
Nazarov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Oh Nazarov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nazarov blocking some punches.
Nazarov can't find room to land a body shot as Hak controls the action.
Hak lands a right hand.
Nazarov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hak unloads with a big right hand that wobbles Nazarov! He's leaning against the cage trying to keep his feet but Hak is unloading with more strikes now! Nazarov drops to his knees and the referee stops the fight for a TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). To Hak!