PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Oleynik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nurmagomedov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: KHABIB ''The Eagle'' NURMAGOMEDOV. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Oleynik
vs
Nurmagomedov

186 cm
26
209 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

180 cm
25
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alexey Oleynik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Sandra Marshall and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oleynik scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nurmagomedov in his tracks.
Nurmagomedov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Oleynik counters with a two punch combo.

Oleynik gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Nurmagomedov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Nurmagomedov cracks Oleynik with a solid left hand.
Oleynik working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oleynik utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Nurmagomedov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes from guard but Oleynik blocks nicely.
Nurmagomedov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Oleynik is trying to keep Nurmagomedov in close.
Oleynik looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurmagomedov is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nurmagomedov stands and throws Oleynik's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Nurmagomedov misses with the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov throws a strike aimed at the side of Oleynik's head but Oleynik avoids it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmagomedov wants to control but Oleynik is keeping him busy.
Nurmagomedov takes a little break here. Oleynik wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Nurmagomedov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Oleynik some visible discomfort.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the action but Oleynik is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagomedov lands a few punches from side control.
Nurmagomedov is chipping away with strikes.
Nurmagomedov working the strikes but Oleynik uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the action but Oleynik is working from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Nurmagomedov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Oleynik is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Nurmagomedov looking to ground and pound but Oleynik is blocking nicely.
Nurmagomedov lands a big elbow.
Nurmagomedov content just to control the position here.
Nurmagomedov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov scoring with strikes but Oleynik is staying in there.
Nurmagomedov throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Nurmagomedov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov 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.

Oleynik wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Nurmagomedov moves into the clinch.
Oleynik lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Oleynik looking to stall.
Nurmagomedov stalling the fight.
Nurmagomedov stalling in the clinch but Oleynik improves position.
Nurmagomedov is looking for a takedown.
Oleynik lands a left hand.
Nurmagomedov is stalling here.
Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown attempt but Oleynik pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Oleynik misses with a series of wild punches.
Nurmagomedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov fails with the takedown.
Alexey Oleynik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov clinches with his opponent.
Oleynik stalling in the clinch but Nurmagomedov improves position.
Oleynik lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Oleynik keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Oleynik wants to get back to full guard.
Nurmagomedov controlling the action here.
Nurmagomedov works his way into side control.
Oleynik on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Oleynik tries to get out of the position.
Nurmagomedov is looking to take a break and control but Oleynik is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nurmagomedov lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Nurmagomedov cracks Oleynik with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
An elbow from Nurmagomedov crashes against the mat.
A lull in the action here.
Sloppy strikes there by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice forearm strike.
Nurmagomedov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Nurmagomedov cracks Oleynik with a big elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nurmagomedov working the ground and pound.
Oleynik regains half guard, as Nurmagomedov was trying to land strikes.
Nurmagomedov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oleynik avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nurmagomedov thows a huge punch but Oleynik dodges it nicely.
Nurmagomedov lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Nurmagomedov is nestled in close to Oleynik, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nurmagomedov working over Oleynik with some ground and pound. Oleynik looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Oleynik avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nurmagomedov.
Oleynik knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nurmagomedov on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is taking a breather. Oleynik says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Oleynik is in trouble now - Nurmagomedov has advanced to mount!
Nurmagomedov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Nurmagomedov controlling his opponent.
Nurmagomedov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Nurmagomedov working the ground and pound effectively.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov lands a big shot there that rocks Oleynik but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Nurmagomedov landing strikes from the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov 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!

Oleynik cracks Nurmagomedov with an open hand slap.
Nurmagomedov dives in and grabs Oleynik's left leg, looking for a takedown. Oleynik pushes down on Nurmagomedov's head and hops out.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Nurmagomedov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Nurmagomedov fails with the takedown
and Oleynik counters with a straight right hand.
Nurmagomedov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Alexey Oleynik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Oleynik tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nurmagomedov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Oleynik tries to keep at a distance but Nurmagomedov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Oleynik gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Oleynik smiles and moves away.
Nurmagomedov looks to clinch
enabling Oleynik to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Khabib Nurmagomedov has been cut.
Oleynik seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Oleynik with a jab.
Nurmagomedov wants to clinch but Oleynik slips to the side
enabling Oleynik to counter with a crisp jab.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Nurmagomedov with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nurmagomedov tries for a takedown but Oleynik circles away easily
and Oleynik counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alexey Oleynik is winning the standup battle so far.
Oleynik tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nurmagomedov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Nurmagomedov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown attempt but Oleynik pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Alexey Oleynik is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nurmagomedov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Oleynik paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Oleynik cracks Nurmagomedov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Oleynik scores with a nice head shot.

Oleynik steps into range and cracks Nurmagomedov with a monster punch that buckles his knees! Nurmagomedov flops backwards and Oleynik dives into his guard looking to finish!

Nurmagomedov is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nurmagomedov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nurmagomedov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nurmagomedov chips away with some ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Oleynik's head.
Nurmagomedov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Nurmagomedov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Oleynik works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes but missing.
Oleynik keeping full guard, as Nurmagomedov tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov landing with the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Oleynik is working from the bottom.
Oleynik is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nurmagomedov controlling from the top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nurmagomedov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

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.
Nurmagomedov stops Oleynik from standing up.
Oleynik can't keep his opponent in guard - Nurmagomedov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Nurmagomedov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nurmagomedov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nurmagomedov wants to pass the guard but Oleynik is defending well.
Nurmagomedov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nurmagomedov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Oleynik knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Nurmagomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexey Oleynik showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nurmagomedov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagomedov!
Khabib Nurmagomedov bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.