PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Russell Northrop (ranked 1076 p4p, 145 weight class) and Tarkhan Naranbaatar (ranked 357 p4p, 56 weight class). Northrop's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Alive And Kicking. Naranbaatar has chosen Batzorig Vaanchig as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Northrop
vs
Naranbaatar

180 cm
30
175 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

178 cm
30
176 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
RAGS of a RONIN

Bullet Proof System

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 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Russell Northrop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Tarkhan Naranbaatar!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Steven Brown and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Northrop misses its intended target.
Northrop misses the shot to the body.
Northrop misses the shot to the body.
Northrop tries to clinch there but Naranbaatar circles away.
Northrop uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Naranbaatar has time to react.
Northrop moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Northrop checks a leg kick nicely.
Northrop cracks Naranbaatar with an open hand slap.
Northrop throws a combination. Naranbaatar tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Northrop lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Naranbaatar circles away quickly and effectively.
Naranbaatar is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Northrop misses with an uppercut. Naranbaatar saw that one coming.
Northrop throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Naranbaatar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Naranbaatar let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Northrop throws a series of punches but Naranbaatar avoids them all with ease.
Naranbaatar looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Naranbaatar slips under a jab from Northrop.
Northrop throws a jab but it's blocked by Naranbaatar.
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!
Northrop takes one on the button.
Northrop just misses with a punch to the body.
Northrop throws a combination that misses
and Naranbaatar counters with a nice low kick that buckles Northrop's knee momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naranbaatar defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Northrop.
Northrop takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Northrop swings for the body but Naranbaatar moves out of range.
Naranbaatar looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Naranbaatar dips to his left and cracks Northrop with an uppercut!
Northrop throws a body shot but no joy.
Russell Northrop seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Northrop has a takedown stuffed.
Naranbaatar jabs Northrop to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nice defenses there by Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Naranbaatar scores with a nice strike.
Naranbaatar dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Northrop swings for the body but Naranbaatar moves out of range.
Northrop will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Naranbaatar looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Northrop blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Northrop gets a 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!

Northrop is trying to work for a kimura but Naranbaatar is defending well.
Naranbaatar wants to improve his position but Northrop is controlling well.

Northrop is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Naranbaatar has managed to free his arm - good work.

Naranbaatar looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Naranbaatar tries to kick Northrop off but Northrop keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Naranbaatar wants to control but Northrop is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Naranbaatar moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Naranbaatar managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Northrop.
Naranbaatar looking to control.
Naranbaatar is pulling down on Northrop's head. It's preventing any offense from Northrop, at least for the moment.

Naranbaatar working for a triangle but Northrop defends it easily.
Northrop in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Naranbaatar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Naranbaatar is trying to keep Northrop in close.
Northrop throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Naranbaatar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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.
Northrop scoring with some ground and pound.
Naranbaatar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Naranbaatar controls Northrop momentarily but Northrop frees himself.
Northrop is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Naranbaatar has momentary wrist control but Northrop slips an elbow through the middle.
Our spies down at at Dr Hatsumi's Clinic inform us that Naranbaatar has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Naranbaatar working for a triangle but Northrop defends it easily.
Northrop trying to control but Naranbaatar is working from the bottom.
Naranbaatar looking to control.
Northrop loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Naranbaatar keeping moving, preventing Northrop from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russell Northrop dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Naranbaatar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Naranbaatar slips a jab and a cross from Northrop.
It seemed like Naranbaatar was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Naranbaatar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Northrop with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Naranbaatar to score with a decent uppercut.
Naranbaatar misses with an uppercut.
Northrop throws a body shot but no joy.
A nice side step and Naranbaatar releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Naranbaatar fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Northrop has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Naranbaatar misses with a kick to the body.
Northrop moves out of range of the strikes.
Northrop cracks Naranbaatar with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Northrop fails in his attempt to clinch.
Naranbaatar looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Northrop works the jab nicely.
Northrop throws a head kick but Naranbaatar moves out of range.

Northrop closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Naranbaatar to the mat! Naranbaatar manages to get full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Naranbaatar is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Northrop wants to control from the top but Naranbaatar keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naranbaatar wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Naranbaatar preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Naranbaatar is pulling down on Northrop's head. It's preventing any offense from Northrop, at least for the moment.
Northrop throws a big elbow that misses.
Naranbaatar manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Northrop manages to get himself to full guard.

Naranbaatar got a little sloppy there for a moment and Northrop has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Naranbaatar has managed to get both his arms back between Northrop's legs - danger averted.
Northrop keeping moving, preventing Naranbaatar from controlling successfully.

Northrop working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Naranbaatar doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Naranbaatar manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Northrop is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Naranbaatar defends well.
Northrop is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Naranbaatar can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Northrop is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Naranbaatar is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Naranbaatar trying to control the position from guard on top but Northrop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naranbaatar stays in close to Northrop's body and controls the position.

Northrop is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Naranbaatar wants to pass the guard but Northrop is keeping the position.

Northrop is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Naranbaatar is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Northrop keeping moving, preventing Naranbaatar from controlling successfully.

Northrop isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Naranbaatar stacks Northrop on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Naranbaatar!
Northrop gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Naranbaatar is looking for a kimura but Northrop is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Naranbaatar to get the leverage.

Naranbaatar is trying to work for a kimura but Northrop is defending well.

Northrop is defending against the submission attempts here by Naranbaatar.
Northrop is in trouble now - Naranbaatar has advanced to mount!
Russell Northrop overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Northrop keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Naranbaatar controlling his opponent.

Naranbaatar swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Northrop is now in Naranbaatar's guard. A big mistake from Naranbaatar there, giving up the dominant position!

Naranbaatar is looking for a triangle but Northrop pushes his legs off easily.
Northrop trying to control the position from guard on top but Naranbaatar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naranbaatar trying to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Naranbaatar looking for a sweep. Not yet Naranbaatar, not yet.
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 Russell Northrop will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Northrop jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Naranbaatar tried to score with a low kick but Northrop checks it.
Northrop tries to clinch up but Naranbaatar circles away and keeps his distance.
Northrop dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Northrop takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Good standup being displayed there by Northrop as he connects with a hook.
Russell Northrop is winning the standup battle so far.
A swing and a miss from Northrop.

Northrop looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Northrop has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The fighters are battling for position here. Naranbaatar manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Northrop won't allow Naranbaatar to sweep him here.

Naranbaatar is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Northrop defends well.
Northrop trying to control the position from guard on top but Naranbaatar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naranbaatar is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Naranbaatar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Northrop is looking to pass into half guard but Naranbaatar pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Naranbaatar is in guard.

Northrop looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Naranbaatar wants to control from the top but Northrop keeps moving.

Naranbaatar is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Northrop is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Naranbaatar defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Northrop isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Naranbaatar stacks Northrop on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Naranbaatar!
Tarkhan Naranbaatar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Naranbaatar is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Northrop is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Northrop tries to buck Naranbaatar off but Naranbaatar is having none of it.
Naranbaatar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Northrop keeps working.

Naranbaatar tries for a kimura but Northrop is defending well.
Northrop manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Northrop is nestled in close to Naranbaatar, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Naranbaatar wants to get back to his feet.
Naranbaatar has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Northrop is working away from the top position though.
Northrop wants to lay and pray for a moment but Naranbaatar keeps working.

Northrop is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Naranbaatar is looking to improve his position.
Naranbaatar is looking to control Northrop's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Naranbaatar avoid being mounted?
Naranbaatar tries to get to full guard but Northrop has control of the leg.

That's four 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.
Naranbaatar trying to control from the bottom.
Naranbaatar wants to improve his position but Northrop is controlling well.
Northrop lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Naranbaatar tries to roll over but Northrop keeps him under control.
Northrop landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Naranbaatar is refusing to be controlled, as Northrop sits in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Northrop is really struggling to control Naranbaatar but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Naranbaatar missing with punches from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Russell Northrop showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Northrop 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Russell Northrop!
Russell Northrop managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Urban Fighter, into his post fight interview.