PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Nurmagomedov (ranked 3081 p4p, 305 weight class) and Pretentious Kneecap (ranked 3971 p4p, 377 weight class). Nurmagomedov comes to the cage accompanied by Dagestan, by Sabine Kors feat. Timaro. Pretentious Kneecap has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nurmagomedov
vs
Kneecap

178 cm
27
155 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
20
135 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Fedor Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pretentious Kneecap!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksandr Martynov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kneecap ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kneecap as he jumps to the side.
Kneecap throws a right hand that Nurmagomedov ducks under and follows up with a left that Nurmagomedov also avoids with ease.
Nurmagomedov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nurmagomedov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Coffee Shop in the buildup to the fight.
Nurmagomedov avoids the body shot from Kneecap.
Kneecap keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kneecap throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kneecap displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kneecap, pushing him back against the cage.
Kneecap throws an elbow that misses.
Kneecap has a couple of punches blocked by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kneecap is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kneecap has a couple of punches blocked by Nurmagomedov.
A right hand to the body from Kneecap.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kneecap looking to stall.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kneecap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kneecap pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kneecap pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kneecap lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
A short right from Kneecap.
Kneecap is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nurmagomedov is keeping busy.
Nurmagomedov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kneecap is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nurmagomedov can't get the takedown.
Good body shot from Kneecap.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kneecap creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kneecap gets underhooks to prevent Nurmagomedov's takedown attempt.
Nurmagomedov avoids a wild elbow strike from Kneecap.

Kneecap's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nurmagomedov walks into a stiff left hand from Kneecap.
Kneecap with a hook.
A jab from Kneecap finds it's way through Nurmagomedov's defenses.

Nurmagomedov has managed to clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kneecap misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneecap scores with a nice hook to the head.
A body shot lands from Kneecap.
Kneecap misses with a hook from the clinch.

Nurmagomedov is trying to trip Kneecap. He has hold of a leg but Kneecap is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Nurmagomedov persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Kneecap 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.
Nurmagomedov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Nurmagomedov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kneecap works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kneecap trying to control the position here.
Nurmagomedov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kneecap is pulling down on Nurmagomedov's head. It's preventing any offense from Nurmagomedov, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov preventing the sweep.
Nurmagomedov postures up in Kneecap's guard and throws a big left but Kneecap blocks it.
Kneecap is adopting a defensive guard.
Nurmagomedov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nurmagomedov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nurmagomedov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes but missing.
Nurmagomedov is working Kneecap over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Kneecap is working from the bottom.

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 throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kneecap works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov is looking to work some ground and pound but Kneecap has wrist control.
Kneecap controlling the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes but missing.
Kneecap pulls Nurmagomedov in close to prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kneecap looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Kneecap misses with a body shot.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kneecap will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nurmagomedov ducks right into an uppercut from Kneecap.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kneecap, as that shot connected.

Kneecap closes the distance and clinches.
Nurmagomedov prevents a body shot from Kneecap.
A short uppercut from Kneecap.

Nurmagomedov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kneecap is trying to keep an underhook but Nurmagomedov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but Kneecap is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pretentious Kneecap dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kneecap misses the shot to the body.
Nurmagomedov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kneecap getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Kneecap. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Kneecap connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kneecap slips under a jab from Nurmagomedov.
Kneecap avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kneecap has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kneecap throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kneecap scores with a leg kick.
Nurmagomedov fails to land the takedown.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch but Kneecap is having none of it.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov throws a body punch but Kneecap moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov throws out a loose jab but Kneecap uses good head movement to avoid it.

Kneecap takes the fight into the clinch.

Nurmagomedov gets a nice trip takedown 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!
Nurmagomedov not doing much here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneecap regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kneecap is pulling down on Nurmagomedov's head. It's preventing any offense from Nurmagomedov, at least for the moment.

Kneecap working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nurmagomedov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nurmagomedov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kneecap working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nurmagomedov.
Kneecap seems keen to control Nurmagomedov's posture.
Kneecap keeping moving, preventing Nurmagomedov from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kneecap is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kneecap is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Nurmagomedov throws a strike but Kneecap rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Nurmagomedov keeping moving, preventing Kneecap from controlling successfully.
Kneecap slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneecap won't allow Nurmagomedov to get back to his feet.
Kneecap wants to control from the top but Nurmagomedov keeps moving.
Nurmagomedov wants to stand but Kneecap is controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nurmagomedov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kneecap.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kneecap.
Pretentious Kneecap seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nurmagomedov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kneecap uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nurmagomedov.
Kneecap misses with a lunging right hand

and Nurmagomedov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kneecap is adopting a defensive guard.
Fedor Nurmagomedov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes from guard but Kneecap blocks nicely.
Kneecap working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov throws a big elbow that misses.
Kneecap is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kneecap working a defensive guard here.
Nurmagomedov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kneecap has Nurmagomedov pulled in close to control his posture.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kneecap is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pretentious Kneecap will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Kneecap attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kneecap, as that shot connected.
Kneecap tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Kneecap.
A low kick from Kneecap misses

and Nurmagomedov counters with a takedown into side control.
Nurmagomedov working the ground and pound but Kneecap is defending the strikes.
Kneecap can't do much from the bottom here.
Nurmagomedov misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sloppy strikes there by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov in side control, throwing shots but Kneecap defends.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kneecap regains half guard.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but Kneecap is blocking nicely.
Nurmagomedov is trying to control the action in half guard but Kneecap is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kneecap is trying to maintain the position but Nurmagomedov is very close to passing his half guard.
Nurmagomedov is trying to control. Kneecap wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneecap is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kneecap is pressing down on Nurmagomedov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nurmagomedov with a flurry of punches that miss.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kneecap holds on and takes a little breather.
Kneecap is continuing to stall.
Nurmagomedov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nurmagomedov throws a big right hand that misses.
Kneecap pulls Nurmagomedov in to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kneecap trying to keep a closed guard but Nurmagomedov is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pretentious Kneecap is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nurmagomedov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kneecap ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurmagomedov moves away.
Nurmagomedov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kneecap.
Kneecap throws a hook but Nurmagomedov avoids it easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kneecap prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nurmagomedov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kneecap prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nurmagomedov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kneecap is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneecap tries to work over Nurmagomedov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nurmagomedov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kneecap pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nurmagomedov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kneecap gets underhooks to prevent Nurmagomedov's takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kneecap gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Kneecap lands a nice shot to the body.
Nurmagomedov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kneecap gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kneecap lands with a short shot to the head.
Still in the clinch, Kneecap scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kneecap lands a left hand.
Kneecap fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nurmagomedov has Kneecap pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kneecap manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nurmagomedov is looking to take this one to the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov looking for a takedown.
Fedor Nurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kneecap lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nurmagomedov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pretentious Kneecap comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kneecap winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pretentious Kneecap!
A relieved looking Pretentious Kneecap thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
The defeated Fedor Nurmagomedov had this to say: 'Spasibo...thank you! He bring good fight. I train harder for next time. '.