PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yandar Bataev (ranked 23425 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isam Nasib Harb (ranked 23424 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Bataev
vs
Nasib Harb

183 cm
25
195 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

172 cm
24
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Yandar Bataev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Isam Nasib Harb!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Atkins and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bataev gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Bataev decides to pull guard.
Bataev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bataev tries to get out of the position.
Nasib Harb preventing the sweep.
Bataev pulls Nasib Harb in close to prevent any damage.

Bataev throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Nasib Harb escapes and throws Bataev's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Nasib Harb 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.
Nasib Harb should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Bataev wants to control but Nasib Harb postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bataev is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Bataev is looking for a sweep.
Bataev trying to remain calm as Nasib Harb controls from the top position.

Nasib Harb tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nasib Harb has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nasib Harb working away.
Nasib Harb scores with a couple of short elbows.
Nasib Harb gets to mount! Bataev was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Nasib Harb avoids the attempt from Bataev to control.
Bataev is working to get back to half guard.
Bataev wants to hold on but Nasib Harb pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bataev tries to reverse the position but Nasib Harb maintains control.
Nasib Harb content just to control the position here.
Nasib Harb looking to control but Bataev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Bataev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nasib Harb is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Bataev can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Bataev is desperately trying to improve his position but Nasib Harb has a good base and remains in mount.
Nasib Harb looking to control but Bataev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nasib Harb unloading with bombs!
Bataev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nasib Harb fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Nasib Harb trying to control but Bataev is having none of it.
Nasib Harb prevents Bataev from getting the reversal.
Nasib Harb tries to control but Bataev wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nasib Harb is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Bataev has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Bataev!
Nasib Harb tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Nasib Harb has his foot on Bataev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bataev works his way back into a safe position though.
Nasib Harb tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nasib Harb keeping moving, preventing Bataev from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isam Nasib Harb dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nasib Harb closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nasib Harb sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Bataev has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Nasib Harb is on him like a limpet, forcing Bataev back against the cage.
Bataev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nasib Harb smiles and moves away.

Nasib Harb gets a double leg takedown into Bataev's guard.
Bataev is looking to stand up but Nasib Harb isn't so interested in that idea.
Nasib Harb postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bataev 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.
Nasib Harb has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bataev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nasib Harb trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nasib Harb stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bataev swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Bataev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nasib Harb defends well.

Bataev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Nasib Harb drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nasib Harb jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nasib Harb slips nicely into half guard.
Bataev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Nasib Harb is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bataev is in trouble now - Nasib Harb has advanced to mount!
Bataev tries to improve his position but instead Nasib Harb has taken his back!
A lull in the action here.
Bataev is trying to stand back up.
Nasib Harb just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nasib Harb trying to control.

Nasib Harb looking for the choke but no joy.
Bataev trying to control but not successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isam Nasib Harb showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nasib Harb closes the distance and clinches up with Bataev, looking for a takedown. Nasib Harb pushes Bataev against the cage but Bataev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nasib Harb circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nasib Harb wants to clinch.
Bataev tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Nasib Harb manages to circle out of the way.
Nasib Harb checks a low kick from Bataev.
Nasib Harb is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Bataev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nasib Harb sprawls well. Nasib Harb wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bataev gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bataev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nasib Harb is looking for the big counter here.
Nasib Harb keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bataev keeps the fight on the outside.
Bataev takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Yandar Bataev has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nasib Harb shoots in and drives through. Bataev sprawls well.
It looked like Bataev was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nasib Harb closes the distance and clinches up with Bataev, looking for a takedown. Nasib Harb pushes Bataev against the cage but Bataev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Yandar Bataev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isam Nasib Harb.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bataev.
Nasib Harb is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Bataev misses with an uppercut. Nasib Harb saw that one coming.

Bataev shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bataev showed some decent athleticism there.
Nasib Harb is looking to improve his position.
Nasib Harb has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bataev is working away from the top position though.
Bataev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bataev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nasib Harb defends it well.
Nasib Harb trying to hold on to Bataev's head to control him but Bataev postures up.

Nasib Harb looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bataev is looking to pass Nasib Harb's guard but actually Nasib Harb recovers to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nasib Harb keeping moving, preventing Bataev from controlling successfully.
Bataev distracts Nasib Harb with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bataev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bataev is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Nasib Harb is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bataev postures up.

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.
Bataev slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Nasib Harb is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Nasib Harb throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Bataev escapes and throws Nasib Harb's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Nasib Harb is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bataev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Yandar Bataev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Isam Nasib Harb is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bataev is trying to work for a kimura but Nasib Harb is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yandar Bataev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nasib Harb has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Isam Nasib Harb!