PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Nurmagomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alvin Smarks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alvin Smarks is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Nurmagomedov
vs
Smarks

178 cm
26
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

177 cm
26
153 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Amped Performance

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alvin Smarks!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov throws a hook but Smarks avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Nurmagomedov. No joy for Smarks on that attempt.

Smarks instigates a clinch.
Smarks is working for takedown but Nurmagomedov is calmly controlling the position for now.

Nurmagomedov has picked Smarks up - he's going for a ride! Nurmagomedov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Smarks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nurmagomedov pulls his head out easily.
Nurmagomedov wants to control but Smarks is keeping him busy.

Smarks actively working from the bottom here.
Smarks wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but Smarks is blocking nicely.
Smarks tries to roll over but Nurmagomedov keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov thows a huge punch but Smarks dodges it nicely.
Smarks looks like he's trying to stand up.
Smarks is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nurmagomedov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nurmagomedov's back!

Nurmagomedov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Smarks gets his way!
Nurmagomedov trying to get back to his feet but Smarks is in full control for now.
Nurmagomedov tries to escape the position.
Nurmagomedov is keeping busy.
Nurmagomedov is trying to get back to his feet but Smarks has full control of the position and if anything, Nurmagomedov has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smarks has his opponent's back but Nurmagomedov is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Smarks.
Smarks looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nurmagomedov is fending him off so far but Smarks persists. Nope, Nurmagomedov circles away and we're back to standing.
Fedor Nurmagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alvin Smarks.
Nurmagomedov cracks Smarks with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Nurmagomedov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Smarks looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurmagomedov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Nurmagomedov scores with punches from side control.
Smarks gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Smarks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nurmagomedov pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nurmagomedov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Smarks tries to roll over but Nurmagomedov keeps him under control.
Nurmagomedov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nurmagomedov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nurmagomedov prevents Smarks from improving his position.
Smarks is pressing down on Nurmagomedov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nurmagomedov is in close to Smarks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smarks is looking for a triangle but Nurmagomedov pushes his legs off easily.
Nurmagomedov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov works over Smarks with some ground and pound from guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Nurmagomedov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Nurmagomedov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Smarks looking for a sweep. Not yet Smarks, not yet.
Nurmagomedov throws a big right hand that misses.
Nurmagomedov lands a couple of elbows.

Smarks is rocked!
Nurmagomedov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Smarks is still in real trouble! Can Nurmagomedov finish him?
Nurmagomedov arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Smarks's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Fedor Nurmagomedov!
An intense looking Fedor Nurmagomedov took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Thanks, guys! We trained hard and the strategy paid off. Good fight, Alvin! '.