PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagemedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Deverux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Nurmagemedov
vs
Deverux

177 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Khabib Nurmagemedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve Deverux!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Deverux lands with a straight right. Nurmagemedov didn't see that one coming.

Nurmagemedov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Deverux's guard.
Deverux wants to stand up but Nurmagemedov is controlling him.
Nurmagemedov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Deverux really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nurmagemedov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Nurmagemedov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Deverux wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Nurmagemedov manages to pass to side control.
Nurmagemedov not doing much here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Deverux wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagemedov content to control rather than advance.
Nurmagemedov trying to control from half guard but Deverux is working away.
Well, if Nurmagemedov 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.
Nurmagemedov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Deverux!
Nurmagemedov controlling the pace for now.
Nurmagemedov looking to control but Deverux is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two 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.
Nurmagemedov controlling from mount.
Deverux wants to try and get back to his feet.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nurmagemedov controlling the pace for now.
Nurmagemedov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Nurmagemedov wants to control the pace but Deverux is squirming around nicely.

Nurmagemedov has hold of Deverux's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Deverux manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Deverux is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deverux is bucking up trying to escape but Nurmagemedov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmagemedov content just to control the position here.
Deverux is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Nurmagemedov wants to control the pace but Deverux is squirming around nicely.
Nurmagemedov controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Nurmagemedov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Nurmagemedov controlling his opponent.
Nurmagemedov tries to control but Deverux wriggling away.
Nurmagemedov won't let Deverux get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Deverux is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Nurmagemedov looking to control but Deverux is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagemedov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice straight punches there by Deverux. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Deverux.
The crowd cheers as Deverux lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nurmagemedov doesn't seem phased though.

It looks like Khabib Nurmagemedov has been cut.

Nurmagemedov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Deverux tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Deverux is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Nurmagemedov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but Deverux is having none of it.
Nurmagemedov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Nurmagemedov.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nurmagemedov controlling the pace for now.
Nurmagemedov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Deverux taking shots to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deverux is squirming around, avoiding Nurmagemedov's attempts to control the action.
Nurmagemedov controlling the pace for now.
Deverux wants to try and get back to his feet.
Nurmagemedov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Deverux can do to turn this around?
Nurmagemedov lands a heavy elbow.
Nurmagemedov controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagemedov cracks Deverux with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Nurmagemedov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Deverux is trying to stand.

Nurmagemedov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Deverux has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Nurmagemedov controlling the pace for now.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nurmagemedov controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deverux is squirming around, avoiding Nurmagemedov's attempts to control the action.
Deverux is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Nurmagemedov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Nurmagemedov punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
You get the feeling that Deverux really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nurmagemedov lands a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagemedov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Khabib Nurmagemedov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nurmagemedov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Deverux is trying to defend but Nurmagemedov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Nurmagemedov not doing much here.
Nurmagemedov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Nurmagemedov controlling the pace for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagemedov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Deverux is looking to escape.
Deverux wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagemedov with the ground and pound from mount.
Deverux in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Khabib Nurmagemedov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nurmagemedov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Nurmagemedov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Deverux?
Nurmagemedov is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Deverux wants to try and get back to his feet.
Nurmagemedov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagemedov is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Deverux is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Deverux is in a horrible position here. Nurmagemedov smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Deverux wants to try and get back to his feet.
Nurmagemedov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but Deverux is having none of it.
Deverux really wants to buck Nurmagemedov off and get back to his feet.
Nurmagemedov controlling his opponent.

Nurmagemedov wants to finish this one by submission but Deverux is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Nurmagemedov.
Khabib Nurmagemedov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nurmagemedov controlling the pace for now.
Deverux trying desperately to get to his feet.
Nurmagemedov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Nurmagemedov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Deverux for as long as he can get away with.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagemedov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nurmagemedov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Khabib Nurmagemedov!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Khabib Nurmagemedov!
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Khabib Nurmagemedov!

Khabib Nurmagemedov wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Khabib Nurmagemedov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.