PBP Commentary

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

Randolph
vs
Nurmagomedov

169 cm
19
161 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

177 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Leif Randolph!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Konstantin Menshow and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Randolph is fending him off so far but Nurmagomedov persists. Nope, Randolph circles away and we're back to standing.
Randolph went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Nurmagomedov scores with a takedown into Randolph's guard.
Nurmagomedov won't allow Randolph to sweep him here.
Randolph working a defensive guard here.
Nurmagomedov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Randolph looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurmagomedov is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Randolph being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Randolph 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmagomedov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Nurmagomedov wants to pass the guard but Randolph is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nurmagomedov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Randolph sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nurmagomedov somewhat.
Randolph doesn't manage to clinch there - Nurmagomedov circles away.

Nurmagomedov looking to score a takedown here. Randolph is defending well but Nurmagomedov drives through and ends up in Randolph's guard.

Randolph pushes Nurmagomedov off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Randolph is defended easily by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Randolph shows good takedown defense.
Leif Randolph has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov has his takedown stuffed
and Randolph counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nurmagomedov thinking.
Nurmagomedov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Randolph swivels and escapes.
Nurmagomedov looks winded!
Nurmagomedov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Randolph sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nurmagomedov somewhat.
Randolph throws a big counter combination but Nurmagomedov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov tries for a takedown but Randolph sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Randolph is looking to counter punch.
Randolph dives in and grabs Nurmagomedov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nurmagomedov pushes down on Randolph's head and hops out.
Randolph is looking to clinch.
Nurmagomedov tries for a takedown but Randolph circles away easily
and Randolph cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Randolph closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nice strikes from Randolph there.

Nurmagomedov is defending against the submission attempts here by Randolph.
Randolph wants to stand up but Nurmagomedov is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov trying to control here.

Nurmagomedov is defending against the submission attempts here by Randolph.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Randolph is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nurmagomedov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Randolph counters by clinching up.

Randolph pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nurmagomedov dives in and grabs Randolph's left leg, looking for a takedown. Randolph pushes down on Nurmagomedov's head and hops out.
Randolph was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Randolph wants to control but Nurmagomedov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nurmagomedov is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is nestled in close to Randolph, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Randolph tries to roll over but Nurmagomedov keeps him under control.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nurmagomedov is controlling the pace.
Randolph tries to roll over but Nurmagomedov keeps him under control.
Randolph works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Randolph is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nurmagomedov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nurmagomedov working some strikes from top position.
Randolph working a defensive guard here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nurmagomedov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Leif Randolph has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Randolph tries to roll over but Nurmagomedov keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Randolph trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Randolph manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Randolph controls Nurmagomedov momentarily but Nurmagomedov frees himself.
Randolph lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Randolph is looking to stand up but Nurmagomedov won't let him.
Randolph with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Randolph with a flurry of punches that miss.
Randolph is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nurmagomedov can do to turn this around?
Nurmagomedov wants to stand up but Randolph is controlling him.
Nurmagomedov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Randolph is one step ahead there.
Randolph trying to control but Nurmagomedov is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov is trying to keep Randolph in close.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Leif Randolph will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Randolph is looking to clinch but Nurmagomedov is avoiding it.
Nurmagomedov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Randolph tries to clinch up.
Randolph stuffs the takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov gets slowly back to his feet.
Nurmagomedov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Randolph defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Randolph is trying to get back to half guard.
Randolph wants to control but Nurmagomedov postures up.
Randolph manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Randolph is trying to work for a kimura but Nurmagomedov is defending well.
Nurmagomedov is trying to get back to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nurmagomedov can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Randolph wants to stand up but Nurmagomedov is controlling the position.
Randolph not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Randolph wants to control but Nurmagomedov is keeping him busy.
Randolph is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Randolph scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nurmagomedov is controlling Randolph's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Randolph thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
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. Randolph connects with a nice short shot to Nurmagomedov's temple.
Randolph is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Randolph in particular looking to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nurmagomedov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Randolph is fending him off so far but Nurmagomedov persists. Nope, Randolph circles away and we're back to standing.
Leif Randolph has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Randolph shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nurmagomedov but Nurmagomedov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nurmagomedov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nurmagomedov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Randolph counters with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov fails to land the takedown.
Nurmagomedov darts in looking for a takedown but Randolph gets double underhooks and turns Nurmagomedov into the cage.
Leif Randolph is winning the standup battle so far.
Randolph tries to clinch there but Nurmagomedov circles away.
Nurmagomedov shoots in and drives through. Randolph sprawls well.
Randolph appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nurmagomedov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Randolph counters with a three punch combo that has Nurmagomedov backing up. Nurmagomedov nods at Randolph to acknowledge the strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
No luck for Randolph with that takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leif Randolph showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Randolph 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leif Randolph!