PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kieth Valdez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagemedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Valdez
vs
Nurmagemedov

177 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

177 cm
20
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kieth Valdez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Khabib Nurmagemedov!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Seu Braga and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nurmagemedov gets the takedown into side control.
A lull in the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valdez tries to bench press Nurmagemedov off him but Nurmagemedov keeps the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagemedov trying to control the action but Valdez is working from the bottom.
Valdez is trying to control Nurmagemedov's posture but Nurmagemedov avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagemedov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Nurmagemedov is looking to take a break and control but Valdez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Nurmagemedov.
Valdez struggling a bit here.
Valdez is being controlled here.
Valdez manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Nurmagemedov winds up and cracks Valdez with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Valdez is looking to escape.
Valdez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nurmagemedov is working away from the top position though.
Nurmagemedov wants to free his trapped foot but Valdez is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagemedov is thwarting Valdez's attempts to control the position.
Valdez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nurmagemedov is thwarting Valdez's attempts to control the position.
Nurmagemedov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Khabib Nurmagemedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

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.

Nurmagemedov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Valdez quickly recovers to half guard.
Valdez is refusing to be controlled, as Nurmagemedov sits in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Valdez is looking to control Nurmagemedov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Valdez avoid being mounted?
Valdez is doing well to control the position and prevent Nurmagemedov from advancing to side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Valdez is looking to control Nurmagemedov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Valdez avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagemedov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Valdez throws a hook but Nurmagemedov avoids it easily.

Valdez gets caught napping as Nurmagemedov dives in and scores a takedown. Valdez manages to retain guard.
Nurmagemedov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nurmagemedov wants to stand and escape but instead Valdez has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Khabib Nurmagemedov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nurmagemedov controls Valdez momentarily but Valdez frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valdez distracts Nurmagemedov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Valdez is looking to work some ground and pound but Nurmagemedov has wrist control.
Nurmagemedov has his hands on Valdez's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagemedov wants to sweep here but Valdez controlling him for the moment.
Valdez landing some decent shots from guard.
Nurmagemedov has Valdez pulled in close to control his posture.
Valdez postures up.
Nurmagemedov wants to sweep here but Valdez controlling him for the moment.
Nurmagemedov is trying to control the position but Valdez postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Valdez distracts Nurmagemedov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Valdez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Valdez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Nurmagemedov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Valdez to the ground. Nurmagemedov is now in Valdez's guard.
Valdez trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but Valdez is working from the bottom.
Nurmagemedov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Valdez wants to sweep but no luck.
Nurmagemedov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Nurmagemedov wants to get up but he can't break Valdez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Nurmagemedov is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagemedov passes Valdez's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Nurmagemedov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Valdez trying to control here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Nurmagemedov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Valdez's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valdez throwing short punches from the bottom.
Valdez trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Nurmagemedov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Nurmagemedov slips nicely into half guard.
Valdez controlling the position for now.
Valdez throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Valdez trying to control from the bottom.
Valdez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Nurmagemedov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagemedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nurmagemedov gets a takedown into half guard.
Nurmagemedov is thwarting Valdez's attempts to control the position.
Nurmagemedov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagemedov is thwarting Valdez's attempts to control the position.
Valdez trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Valdez is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagemedov controlling from the full mount.
Nurmagemedov seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Valdez is holding on tight.
Nurmagemedov controlling from the full mount.
Valdez manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Nurmagemedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Valdez keeps working.
Nurmagemedov controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nurmagemedov trying to advance position but Valdez counters by regaining guard.
Valdez throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but Valdez is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Valdez feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Nurmagemedovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagemedov instigates a clinch.

Nurmagemedov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Nurmagemedov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nurmagemedov content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Nurmagemedov blocks the strikes from Valdez.
Valdez stops Nurmagemedov from passing to mount.
Valdez manages to get back to half guard.
Nurmagemedov has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Khabib Nurmagemedov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valdez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nurmagemedov trying to control but Valdez is having none of it.
Nurmagemedov wants to control but instead Valdez manages to regain half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Valdez tries to roll over but Nurmagemedov keeps him under control.
Valdez is trying to maintain the position but Nurmagemedov is very close to passing his half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagemedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nurmagemedov 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 26:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagemedov!
A very excited looking Khabib Nurmagemedov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.