PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khakim Khadzhimurad (ranked 21575 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcel Joyner (ranked 24051 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Khadzhimurad
vs
Joyner

186 cm
24
157 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

184 cm
40
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Khakim Khadzhimurad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marcel Joyner!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Khadzhimurad dives in and scores a takedown into Joyner's guard.
Joyner working a defensive guard here.
Joyner is looking to stand back up but Khadzhimurad counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Joyner.
Joyner has a hand on Khadzhimurad's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Khadzhimurad takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Joyner is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Joyner is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Joyner tries to control the position but Khadzhimurad now has his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joyner trying to control but not successfully.
Joyner is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Khadzhimurad is staying active.
Khadzhimurad controlling the position well here. Joyner rolled but Khadzhimurad kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Khadzhimurad has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Joyner preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Khadzhimurad.
Joyner trying to control but not successfully.
Joyner looking very determined here, making life difficult for Khadzhimurad.

Joyner fending off the submission attempt from Khadzhimurad.
Khadzhimurad biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joyner trying to control the action but Khadzhimurad just sinks the hooks in.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

Khadzhimurad is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Khadzhimurad looking for the choke but no joy.
Khadzhimurad really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Joyner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joyner is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
I would not like to be Joyner right now.
Joyner trying to control the action but Khadzhimurad just sinks the hooks in.
Joyner rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Khadzhimurad really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Khadzhimurad looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Joyner missing with punches from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Joyner is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Joyner slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Khadzhimurad in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Joyner wants to get back to his feet but Khadzhimurad is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Khadzhimurad trying to control but Joyner is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Khadzhimurad is stalling in the full guard.
Joyner has a closed guard, preventing Khadzhimurad from standing up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khakim Khadzhimurad dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Khadzhimurad throws a right and a left that both miss.
Joyner stuffs the takedown.
Khadzhimurad throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Marcel Joyner has been cut.
Khadzhimurad throws a half hearted mid kick.
Joyner tries to clinch but Khadzhimurad moves out of range.
Khadzhimurad shoots in for a takedown but Joyner shows good takedown defense.
Joyner unleashes a big counter combination but Khadzhimurad bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Khadzhimurad misses with a takedown attempt - Joyner sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khakim Khadzhimurad. 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.
Joyner stuffs the takedown attempt from Khadzhimurad. Khadzhimurad gets slowly back to his feet.
Joyner sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khadzhimurad has managed to clinch.
Joyner fails to pull guard.
Joyner tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Khadzhimurad just stands there and leans against the cage.
Khadzhimurad wants a takedown but no success here.
Joyner jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Khadzhimurad walks away with a smile on his face. Joyner gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Joyner closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Joyner softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Khadzhimurad's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Joyner keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Joyner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Khadzhimurad swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Khadzhimurad drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Khadzhimurad throws a big right hand that misses.
Joyner is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Khadzhimurad stops Joyner from standing up.
Joyner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Khadzhimurad.
Khadzhimurad stops Joyner from standing up.
Khadzhimurad postures up.
Joyner is controlling Khadzhimurad's posture.
Khadzhimurad seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Joyner gets tackled into the cage by Khadzhimurad. Khadzhimurad maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khadzhimurad has Joyner pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Joyner manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Khadzhimurad tries for a takedown. No joy.

Khadzhimurad breaks from the clinch.
Khadzhimurad fails with a takedown attempt.
Joyner leaves Khadzhimurad with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Joyner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Khadzhimurad paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Joyner displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Khadzhimurad.
Nice sprawl there from Joyner as Khadzhimurad shoots in.
Khadzhimurad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Joyner wants to counter the offense by Khadzhimurad and move into the clinch position.
Khadzhimurad has a takedown stuffed.
Khadzhimurad with a lazy takedown attempt

and Joyner counters by clinching up.
Joyner goes for a takedown in the clinch but Khadzhimurad prevents it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Khadzhimurad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Khadzhimurad looks for a takedown but Joyner sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khakim Khadzhimurad dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Marcel Joyner's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Joyner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Khadzhimurad manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Khadzhimurad breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Joyner misses with a body shot
and Khadzhimurad counters with a series of strikes. Joyner will be more careful next time no doubt.
Khadzhimurad scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Joyner is rocked!
Joyner is sent reeling backwards by a solid uppercut. He barely regains his balance and Khadzhimurad moves in for the kill throwing a continuous barrage of punches that force the ref to step in.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:38 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Khakim Khadzhimurad!