PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ian Joy Virtudazo (ranked 3826 p4p, 303 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 3926 p4p, 313 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Joy Virtudazo
vs
Nurmagomedov

168 cm
26
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

179 cm
19
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ian Joy Virtudazo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Illya Tyunina and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virtudazo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nurmagomedov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nurmagomedov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Nurmagomedov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Nurmagomedov scoring with punches and elbows.
Virtudazo is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Nurmagomedov is controlling him well.
Virtudazo takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Virtudazo is trying to get back to his feet.
Virtudazo on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Virtudazo tries to get out of the position.
Nurmagomedov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Virtudazo is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Virtudazo keeps working.
Virtudazo takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
An elbow from Nurmagomedov crashes against the mat.
Sloppy strikes there by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov scores with punches from side control.
Virtudazo wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Nurmagomedov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Virtudazo is avoiding damage well.
Nurmagomedov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Virtudazo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Virtudazo is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Nurmagomedov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Nurmagomedov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nurmagomedov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Virtudazo is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Nurmagomedov working the ground and pound.
Virtudazo is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Nurmagomedov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Virtudazo trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov landing a few strikes.
Nurmagomedov prevents Virtudazo from escaping the position.
Nurmagomedov cracks Virtudazo with a big elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagomedov working the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov is looking to take a break and control but Virtudazo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Virtudazo is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Nurmagomedov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The ground and pound from Nurmagomedov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Nurmagomedov prevents Virtudazo from escaping the position.
Nurmagomedov working the body and head with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Virtudazo is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nurmagomedov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Virtudazo is avoiding damage well.
Virtudazo is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Virtudazo tries for a takedown but Nurmagomedov circles away easily
and Virtudazo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Virtudazo shoots for a double leg takedown but Nurmagomedov sprawls well. He's pushed Virtudazo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nurmagomedov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Virtudazo fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Joy Virtudazo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Virtudazo with a poor takedown
and Virtudazo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nurmagomedov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov lands a jab.
Nurmagomedov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nurmagomedov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nurmagomedov has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Virtudazo closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Nurmagomedov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Virtudazo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nurmagomedov, who protects the arm well.
Virtudazo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nurmagomedov keeps working.

Virtudazo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nurmagomedov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Nurmagomedov tries to bench press Virtudazo off him but Virtudazo keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtudazo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nurmagomedov keeps working.

Virtudazo goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Nurmagomedov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Virtudazo but great work by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands some shots froms side control.
Nurmagomedov cracks Virtudazo with a big elbow.
Virtudazo is trying to buck Nurmagomedov off.
The ground and pound from Nurmagomedov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Virtudazo wants to get back to his feet.
Nurmagomedov misses with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nurmagomedov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nurmagomedov dips to his left and cracks Virtudazo with an uppercut!
Virtudazo misses with a takedown attempt
and Nurmagomedov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Virtudazo fails with the takedown
and Virtudazo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nurmagomedov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Virtudazo momentarily.
Ian Joy Virtudazo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Virtudazo has his takedown stuffed
and Nurmagomedov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Joy Virtudazo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Virtudazo shoots and misses
enabling Nurmagomedov to counter with a crisp jab.
Nurmagomedov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice hook to Virtudazo's body. Virtudazo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nurmagomedov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Virtudazo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nurmagomedov throws out a powerful jab.
Virtudazo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nurmagomedov counters with a nice body shot.
Ian Joy Virtudazo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Virtudazo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nurmagomedov avoids it really well and circles away.
Virtudazo is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nurmagomedov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtudazo shoots in but Nurmagomedov avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Nurmagomedov clinches.

Virtudazo manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nurmagomedov postures up in Virtudazo's guard and throws a big left but Virtudazo blocks it.
Virtudazo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Virtudazo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ian Joy Virtudazo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nurmagomedov controlling from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagomedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nurmagomedov 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 26:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagomedov!
After winning the bout, Khabib Nurmagomedov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.