PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jimmie Connor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Khabilov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Ruslan Khabilov enters the cage!

Connor
vs
Khabilov

190 cm
25
214 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

191 cm
25
212 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jimmie Connor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ruslan Khabilov!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Trevor Gratis and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Connor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Khabilov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No luck for Khabilov with that takedown attempt.
Khabilov swings for the body but Connor moves out of range.

Connor clinches up with Khabilov and pushes him back against the cage.
Khabilov has Connor pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Connor manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Khabilov tries to score a body lock takedown but Connor shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jimmie Connor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Khabilov.
Khabilov tries to pull guard but Connor won't allow it.
Connor slowing the pace effectively.
Khabilov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Connor to keep the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Connor pulls Khabilov into guard.
Khabilov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Connor is proving hard to escape from.
Connor wants to get back to his feet but Khabilov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khabilov trying to control but Connor is working from the bottom.
Khabilov wants to pass the guard but Connor is keeping the position.
Khabilov being controlled here momentarily.
Khabilov postures up in Connor's guard and throws a big left but Connor blocks it.

Connor kicks Khabilov off and gets to his feet.
Connor darts in trying to clinch
and Connor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khabilov darts in looking for a takedown but Connor gets double underhooks and turns Khabilov into the cage.
Khabilov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Connor's waist but Connor gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Khabilov off to one side.
Connor tries to counter with a takedown but Khabilov is quick to defend against it.
Khabilov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Connor sprawls well. Connor wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Khabilov gets slowly back to his feet.
Connor seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Khabilov.
Connor appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Connor dives in and grabs Khabilov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Khabilov pushes down on Connor's head and hops out.
Khabilov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Khabilov shoots in looking for a takedown but Connor manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Khabilov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Connor shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Khabilov pinned against the cage. Khabilov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khabilov shoots for a double leg takedown but Connor sprawls well. He's pushed Khabilov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Connor rushes Khabilov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Connor is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Khabilov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Connor has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Khabilov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Connor prevents the takedown attempt.

Khabilov pulls guard.
Connor wants to control from the top but Khabilov keeps moving.

Connor decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Connor fails with a takedown attempt.
Khabilov is looking for the big counter here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khabilov throws a sloppy head kick and Connor moves out of range easily.
Connor is looking to counter the offense by Khabilov and move into the clinch.
Khabilov keeps the fight on the outside.
No luck for Connor with that takedown attempt.
Khabilov wants to counter the offense by Connor and move into the clinch position.
Khabilov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Connor.
Connor misses with a low kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Connor.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Khabilov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Khabilov misses with a kick to the body
and Connor counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Khabilov shoots for a double leg takedown but Connor sprawls well. He's pushed Khabilov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmie Connor dominated that round.
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.

Connor gets a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Khabilov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Connor's brow.
Khabilov fails to pull guard.

Connor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice sprawl there from Khabilov as Connor shoots in.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Khabilov is trying to pull guard but Connor turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Khabilov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khabilov tries to throw a body punch but Connor avoids it by throwing Khabilov back against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Connor.
Connor tries to pull guard but Khabilov won't allow it.

Khabilov breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connor stuffs the takedown.
Connor tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Khabilov manages to circle out of the way.
Jimmie Connor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Khabilov.
Khabilov throws a head kick that misses.
Jimmie Connor is winning the standup battle so far.
Connor fails with a takedown attempt.
Khabilov is looking to clinch but Connor is avoiding it.
Connor swats away the attempt to clinch by Khabilov.
Khabilov shoots in but no luck this time.
Khabilov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Connor as he avoids it easily.
Connor cracks Khabilov with a right hand to the side of the head.
A leg kick checked by Khabilov.
Khabilov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Connor defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connor shoots in for a double leg but Khabilov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As Connor backs off Khabilov throws a huge counter combo but Connor manages to avoid it all.
Connor throws a combination that misses
and Khabilov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Khabilov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Khabilov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Khabilov is breathing heavily.
Connor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Khabilov.
Connor shoots in for a takedown but Khabilov shows good takedown defense.
Connor goes for a double leg but Khabilov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Khabilov continues to drive forward.
Connor fails with a takedown attempt.
Connor throws a chopping leg kick but Khabilov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Khabilov has Connor up against the cage in a clinch.
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!

Khabilov manages to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connor tries to free his leg and advance position but Khabilov is retaining full guard.
Connor stopping the sweep attempt from Khabilov.
Khabilov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Connor showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Connor looking to sit in guard and control but Khabilov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Connor manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Khabilov manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Connor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Khabilov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Khabilov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Connor postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Connor slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Khabilov wants to control but Connor is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ruslan Khabilov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Connor's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Connor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Khabilov avoids the body shot from Connor.
Khabilov dives in and grabs Connor's left leg, looking for a takedown. Connor pushes down on Khabilov's head and hops out.
Connor shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Khabilov as he jumps to the side.
Connor fails with a takedown attempt.
Khabilov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Connor counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Connor tries to keep at a distance but Khabilov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Khabilov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Connor pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jimmie Connor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Khabilov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connor drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Connor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Khabilov.
Khabilov wants to break the clinch but can't.

Connor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Khabilov falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Connor counter with a right hand.

Connor drives through and clinches with Khabilov against the cage.
Connor slows down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connor keeps control of Khabilov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stalling in the clinch from Connor.

Connor has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Khabilov uses from the top position.
Khabilov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Khabilov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Connor is keeping the position for now.
Connor tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khabilov wants to control from the top but Connor keeps moving.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Khabilov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Khabilov tries to clinch there but Connor circles away.
A head kick misses from Connor.
Khabilov goes for a double leg but Connor avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Connor continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Khabilov fails with a takedown attempt.
Khabilov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Connor tries to score a power double leg takedown but Khabilov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Connor somewhat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Khabilov.
Jimmie Connor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Connor clinches up against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Khabilov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Connor avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Khabilov breaks from the clinch.
Khabilov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jimmie Connor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Connor has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmie Connor!
Jimmie Connor decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.