PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 6038 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ali Zayed Abdulrakhman (ranked 3896 p4p, 0 weight class). Khabib Nurmagomedov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Nurmagomedov
vs
Zayed Abdulrakhman

178 cm
23
155 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ali Zayed Abdulrakhman!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Dirk Anderson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Abdulrakhman. No joy for Nurmagomedov on that attempt.
Nurmagomedov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nurmagomedov gets the takedown into side control.

Nurmagomedov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Abdulrakhman, who protects the arm well.

Nurmagomedov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Abdulrakhman knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Abdulrakhman can do anything to dispel that myth.
Abdulrakhman holds on to Nurmagomedov's head and controls the position momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nurmagomedov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Nurmagomedov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Abdulrakhman, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov tries for a kimura but Abdulrakhman is defending well.
Abdulrakhman tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Abdulrakhman wants to control but Nurmagomedov postures up.
Abdulrakhman is trying to buck Nurmagomedov off.
Abdulrakhman is trying to improve his position.

That's two 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.

Nurmagomedov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Abdulrakhman knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nurmagomedov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nurmagomedov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Nurmagomedov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Abdulrakhman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Abdulrakhman is looking for a sweep.

Nurmagomedov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Abdulrakhman has escaped the position, nice work there.
Abdulrakhman takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Abdulrakhman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nurmagomedov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdulrakhman is trying to get back to his feet.

Nurmagomedov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Abdulrakhman knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
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.
Abdulrakhman managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Nurmagomedov is breathing heavily.
Nurmagomedov working away.

Nurmagomedov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Abdulrakhman rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Nurmagomedov's guard! Nice work there by Abdulrakhman!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Abdulrakhman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nurmagomedov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Abdulrakhman has managed to get both his arms back between Nurmagomedov's legs - danger averted.
Abdulrakhman is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Abdulrakhman makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Abdulrakhman looking to score a takedown here. Nurmagomedov is defending well but Abdulrakhman drives through and ends up in Nurmagomedov's guard.
Abdulrakhman wants to pass the guard but Nurmagomedov is keeping the position.

Abdulrakhman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Abdulrakhman pushes down on Nurmagomedov's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Nurmagomedov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nurmagomedov actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdulrakhman tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov looking for submissions off his back.
Abdulrakhman slips a nice elbow through Nurmagomedov's hands, connecting with Nurmagomedov's forehead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Abdulrakhman postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abdulrakhman seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Abdulrakhman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nurmagomedov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Abdulrakhman throwing shots but Nurmagomedov is blocking nicely.
It looks like Abdulrakhman is going to stand back up.
Well, if Abdulrakhman is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Abdulrakhman clinches up against the cage.
Nurmagomedov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Abdulrakhman's efforts to push away.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov can't get the takedown.
Nurmagomedov is looking to control Abdulrakhman's arms but Abdulrakhman gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nurmagomedov has his back to the cage.
Nurmagomedov is trying to drag Abdulrakhman to the mat but Abdulrakhman just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Nurmagomedov taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abdulrakhman prevents the takedown attempt.
Nurmagomedov prevents Abdulrakhman from breaking the clinch.
Nurmagomedov looking for a takedown.
Abdulrakhman wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Abdulrakhman jumps guard.
Nurmagomedov preventing the sweep.

Nurmagomedov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Nurmagomedov stops Abdulrakhman from standing up.
Abdulrakhman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Abdulrakhman pulls Nurmagomedov in close to prevent any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Zayed Abdulrakhman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Abdulrakhman looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Abdulrakhman postures up.
Abdulrakhman lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Abdulrakhman slows the pace down in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdulrakhman controlling from the top position.

Nurmagomedov looking for a guillotine here but Abdulrakhman defends easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Abdulrakhman wants to stand but Nurmagomedov is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Abdulrakhman trying to control but Nurmagomedov is working from the bottom.
Abdulrakhman wants to pass the guard but Nurmagomedov is keeping the position.

Nurmagomedov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Abdulrakhman defends it easily.

Nurmagomedov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdulrakhman controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Abdulrakhman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nurmagomedov tries for a takedown but Abdulrakhman sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Abdulrakhman stuffs the takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov gets slowly back to his feet.
Abdulrakhman leaves Nurmagomedov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abdulrakhman misses with a head kick.

Abdulrakhman shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Abdulrakhman is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdulrakhman lands strikes from half guard.

Abdulrakhman is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nurmagomedov defends it well.
Abdulrakhman working over Nurmagomedov with some ground and pound. Nurmagomedov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Abdulrakhman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Abdulrakhman throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Nurmagomedov to regain full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ali Zayed Abdulrakhman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Abdulrakhman has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ali Zayed Abdulrakhman!