PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sajjad Gharibi (ranked 1861 p4p, 55 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 2048 p4p, 60 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gharibi
vs
Nurmagomedov

183 cm
25
328 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

225 cm
29
300 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Hilo's OG Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sajjad Gharibi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Paul Aken and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gharibi misses with a wild combination.
Nurmagomedov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gharibi misses with a wild body shot.
Nurmagomedov with the counter takedown but Gharibi avoids it easily.
Gharibi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurmagomedov feints the counter takedown.
Gharibi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A combination from Gharibi does no damage.
Nurmagomedov feints the counter takedown.
Nurmagomedov blocks a jab.
Nurmagomedov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gharibi takes a swing at Nurmagomedov's ribcage but misses.
Nurmagomedov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gharibi misses with a wild combination.
Gharibi misses with a wild body shot.
And Nurmagomedov tries to counter it with a takedown but Gharibi pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gharibi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nurmagomedov under the eye.

It looks like Khabib Nurmagomedov has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gharibi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov with the counter takedown but Gharibi avoids it easily.
Gharibi misses the shot to the body.
And Nurmagomedov tries to counter it with a takedown but Gharibi pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've been told by Gharibi's head coaches at Holding Cell that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Gharibi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gharibi connects with a body shot that sends Nurmagomedov's belly button to the back.
Gharibi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gharibi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nurmagomedov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nurmagomedov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gharibi.
And Nurmagomedov tries to counter it with a takedown but Gharibi pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A big left from Gharibi misses.
Gharibi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The fighters circling - Gharibi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nurmagomedov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gharibi fails to land with a series of punches.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gharibi defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gharibi.
Sajjad Gharibi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gharibi looks to score with a jab to the body but Nurmagomedov is just out of range.
Nurmagomedov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gharibi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Gharibi.
Sloppy strikes from Gharibi. Those never looked like landing.
Nurmagomedov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gharibi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nurmagomedov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurmagomedov moves out of range as Gharibi strikes.
And Nurmagomedov tries to counter it with a takedown but Gharibi pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gharibi throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov feints the counter takedown.
Gharibi falls off balance throwing a combination

and Nurmagomedov counters with a takedown into side control.
Gharibi is breathing heavily.
Gharibi manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nurmagomedov's best efforts.
Nurmagomedov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nurmagomedov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Nurmagomedov drops an elbow to the side of Gharibi's head.
Gharibi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nurmagomedov on the ground.
Nurmagomedov is controlling the pace.
Nurmagomedov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Gharibi!
Nurmagomedov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gharibi hang on?
Nurmagomedov landing strikes from the mount and Gharibi is in trouble!
Nurmagomedov with good strikes from the mount here!
Nurmagomedov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Nurmagomedov landing strikes from the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
BOOM! Nurmagomedov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Nurmagomedov pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
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 with a couple of short strikes.
Gharibi is in a horrible position here. Nurmagomedov smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Gharibi is rocked!
Nurmagomedov postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Gharibi badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Nurmagomedov around the waist but Nurmagomedov pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Nurmagomedov is the winner by TKO! Nurmagomedov jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Khabib Nurmagomedov!
An out of breath Khabib Nurmagomedov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.