PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Uri Haber (ranked 3195 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hector Numagodov (ranked 4355 p4p, 576 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Haber
vs
Numagodov

182 cm
31
176 lbs
15 - 10 - 2

180 cm
20
180 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Uri Haber!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hector Numagodov!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Haber shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Numagodov wants to improve his position but Haber is controlling well.

Haber is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Numagodov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Haber.
Numagodov is looking to improve his position.
Haber is nestled in close to Numagodov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Haber seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haber winds up and cracks Numagodov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
We've been hearing good reports from Haber'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.
Haber working Numagodov over with strikes.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Haber lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice strikes from Haber there.
Haber lands with a punch from half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Numagodov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Numagodov is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Numagodov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Haber trying to control from half guard but Numagodov is working away.
Haber slips a nice elbow through Numagodov's hands, connecting with Numagodov's forehead.
Haber takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Numagodov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Numagodov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Numagodov gets full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haber advances position into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Haber has hold of Numagodov's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Numagodov tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Haber cranks the arm and Numagodov screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Numagodov, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Uri Haber!
In his post fight interview, Uri Haber started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.