PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Feodor Shemelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vadim Nazarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Shemelianenko might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to 2Pac - I'm A Soldier (Echale Mojo Remix) . Nazarov has chosen "Fade to Black" by Metallica as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Shemelianenko
vs
Nazarov

184 cm
30
202 lbs
14 - 8 - 1

187 cm
30
195 lbs
20 - 10 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Instinct
Pearson Specter Litt

Spartan Nutrition

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 14 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Feodor Shemelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vadim Nazarov!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nazarov misses with a lunging right hand
and Shemelianenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've been informed that Nazarov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Nazarov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Shemelianenko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nazarov works the jab nicely.
Shemelianenko slips under a jab from Nazarov.
Shemelianenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shemelianenko takes one on the chin but seems OK.

It looks like Feodor Shemelianenko has been cut.
Shemelianenko lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Shemelianenko blocks a jab.
Nazarov scores with a jab to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shemelianenko throws a series of punches but Nazarov avoids them all with ease.
Shemelianenko misses with a low kick.
Nazarov misses with a two punch combination.
Shemelianenko takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The fighters circling - Nazarov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nazarov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shemelianenko defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shemelianenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Nazarov shoots in and gets a takedown into Shemelianenko's guard.
Shemelianenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nazarov trying to control but Shemelianenko is working from the bottom.
Nazarov won't allow Shemelianenko to sweep him here.
Nazarov working some strikes from top position.
Nazarov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nazarov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shemelianenko is on top in guard.

Shemelianenko showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Shemelianenko wants to control from the top but Nazarov keeps moving.
Nazarov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nazarov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Nazarov keeping moving, preventing Shemelianenko from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shemelianenko stays in close to Nazarov's body and controls the position.
Shemelianenko looking to sit in guard and control but Nazarov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nazarov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shemelianenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nazarov scoring with some ground and pound.
Shemelianenko wants to sweep but no luck.

Shemelianenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Shemelianenko is looking for a triangle but Nazarov pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nazarov connects with a couple of short punches.
Nazarov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shemelianenko is trying to control the position but Nazarov postures up.

Shemelianenko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nazarov defends well.
Shemelianenko looking to control.

Shemelianenko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Nazarov is fighting to break Shemelianenko's control of his arms but Shemelianenko is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Nazarov connects with a couple of short punches.
Shemelianenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nazarov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Nazarov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Feodor Shemelianenko's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A bone on bone clash there as Nazarov blocks the leg kick.
Nazarov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Shemelianenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Nazarov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Shemelianenko misses with a body shot.
Shemelianenko cracks Nazarov with an open hand slap.
Nazarov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nazarov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shemelianenko at a distance.
Shemelianenko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A jab from Shemelianenko misses.
Nazarov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nazarov missing with a left hand there. Shemelianenko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shemelianenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Nazarov.
Nazarov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shemelianenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shemelianenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shemelianenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nazarov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shemelianenko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Shemelianenko motions for Nazarov to come forward. Shemelianenko throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Nazarov lands.

Nazarov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Shemelianenko is trying to defend but Nazarov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Shemelianenko is trying to get back to full guard.
Shemelianenko moves into full guard.
Shemelianenko trying to control the position.
Nazarov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Shemelianenko's head.
Nazarov wants to control from the top but Shemelianenko keeps moving.
Nazarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shemelianenko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Shemelianenko being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko keeping full guard, as Nazarov tries to pass.
Nazarov lands a couple of elbows.
Nazarov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shemelianenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Shemelianenko 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.
Nazarov preventing the sweep.
Nazarov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Nazarov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Shemelianenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nazarov is in close to Shemelianenko's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nazarov chips away with some ground and pound.
Shemelianenko wants to sweep here but Nazarov controlling him for the moment.
Shemelianenko keeping moving, preventing Nazarov from controlling successfully.
Shemelianenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Shemelianenko, not yet.
Shemelianenko keeping moving, preventing Nazarov from controlling successfully.

Shemelianenko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nazarov defends it easily.
Nazarov works over Shemelianenko with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko keeping moving, preventing Nazarov from controlling successfully.
Nazarov stands up over Shemelianenko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shemelianenko controlling the position.

Shemelianenko isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Nazarov stacks Shemelianenko on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Nazarov!
Shemelianenko is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Nazarov takes a little break here. Shemelianenko wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Shemelianenko sneaks back into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nazarov connects with a nice short shot to Shemelianenko's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Nazarov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Feodor Shemelianenko's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nazarov dips to his left and cracks Shemelianenko with an uppercut!

Shemelianenko manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Nazarov on his heels. He'll look to pass Nazarov's guard now, I'm sure.
Vadim Nazarov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shemelianenko being controlled here momentarily.
Shemelianenko trying to control but Nazarov is working from the bottom.
Nazarov looking for a sweep. Not yet Nazarov, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shemelianenko wants to control from the top but Nazarov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shemelianenko is one step ahead there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nazarov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Vadim Nazarov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shemelianenko throws a leg kick that misses.
Feodor Shemelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shemelianenko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nazarov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shemelianenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nazarov cracks Shemelianenko with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nazarov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
It looked like Shemelianenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
No luck for Nazarov with that takedown attempt.
Feodor Shemelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shemelianenko can pounce on him.
Shemelianenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nazarov's corner calls for a 1-2. Nazarov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nazarov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A low kick from Shemelianenko misses

and Nazarov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Shemelianenko wants to get back to his feet but Nazarov passes into half guard.
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!

Ground and pound from Nazarov.
Nice strikes from Nazarov there.
Shemelianenko regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nazarov chips away with some ground and pound.
Nazarov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nazarov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shemelianenko trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Shemelianenko wants to sweep here but Nazarov controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nazarov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Shemelianenko is trying to control the position but Nazarov postures up.
Nazarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Shemelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nazarov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nazarov is working Shemelianenko over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Shemelianenko looking for a guillotine here but Nazarov defends easily.
Nazarov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nazarov landing some decent shots from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nazarov stands up over Shemelianenko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Shemelianenko thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Shemelianenko is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Nazarov keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Nazarov is looking to improve his position.
Shemelianenko wants to control but Nazarov is keeping him busy.
Shemelianenko prevents Nazarov from improving his position.
Nazarov is controlling Shemelianenko's trapped leg to prevent Shemelianenko from advancing to side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vadim Nazarov.
Well Nazarov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vadim Nazarov!
A relieved looking Vadim Nazarov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.