PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Angelica Nugulagamba (ranked 2884 p4p, 369 weight class) and Sergey Kartavchenko (ranked 3206 p4p, 402 weight class). Nugulagamba comes to the cage accompanied by Bartolito. Sergey Kartavchenko will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Nugulagamba
vs
Kartavchenko

194 cm
22
212 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
220 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Angelica Nugulagamba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Kartavchenko!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksandr Martynov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kartavchenko stuffs the takedown.
Nugulagamba with a poor takedown
and Nugulagamba takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nugulagamba tries for a takedown but Kartavchenko circles away easily
and Kartavchenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Angelica Nugulagamba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kartavchenko scores with a leg kick.
Kartavchenko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nugulagamba.
Kartavchenko throws a jab when Nugulagamba was well out of range.

Nugulagamba shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kartavchenko wants to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Nugulagamba seems content to control.
Nugulagamba wants to free his trapped foot but Kartavchenko is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kartavchenko taking some punishment here, with Nugulagamba in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kartavchenko tries to get to full guard but Nugulagamba has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nice strikes from Nugulagamba there.

Kartavchenko is defending against the submission attempts here by Nugulagamba.
Nice strikes from Nugulagamba there.
Kartavchenko wants to get back to full guard.
Nugulagamba 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.
Nugulagamba is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nugulagamba working Kartavchenko over with strikes.
Nugulagamba trying to control the pace.
Kartavchenko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nugulagamba.
Nugulagamba working over Kartavchenko with some ground and pound. Kartavchenko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nugulagamba is nestled in close to Kartavchenko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nugulagamba working Kartavchenko over with strikes.
Kartavchenko works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nugulagamba wants to pass the guard but Kartavchenko is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nugulagamba is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nugulagamba throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kartavchenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kartavchenko being controlled here, momentarily.
Nugulagamba passes into half guard.

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

That's four 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.
Kartavchenko is trying to get back to full guard.
Nugulagamba is keen to just control but Kartavchenko is a slippery customer.
Nugulagamba working Kartavchenko over with strikes.
Kartavchenko looks like he's trying to stand up.
Nugulagamba landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nugulagamba working over Kartavchenko with some ground and pound. Kartavchenko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kartavchenko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nugulagamba slips a nice elbow through Kartavchenko's hands, connecting with Kartavchenko's forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Angelica Nugulagamba dominated that round.
That's time! Nugulagamba's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nugulagamba walks into a jab.
Kartavchenko throws a hook but Nugulagamba blocks it.
Kartavchenko fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nugulagamba is out of range.
Nugulagamba drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kartavchenko sprawls and moves away.
Nice shot by Nugulagamba.
Nugulagamba looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sergey Kartavchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kartavchenko connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nugulagamba. Nugulagamba circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kartavchenko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nugulagamba is able to avoid easily.
Nugulagamba changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Nugulagamba manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kartavchenko on his heels. He'll look to pass Kartavchenko's guard now, I'm sure.
Nugulagamba stands up over Kartavchenko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kartavchenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nugulagamba scoring with some ground and pound.
Nugulagamba stands up over Kartavchenko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nugulagamba postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nugulagamba preventing the sweep.
Nugulagamba is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kartavchenko trying to control the position.
Nugulagamba wants to control from the top but Kartavchenko keeps moving.
Nugulagamba working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nugulagamba stops Kartavchenko from standing up.
Nugulagamba stays in close to Kartavchenko's body and controls the position.
Nugulagamba with a nice head shot there.

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.
Nugulagamba scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kartavchenko looking to control.
Nugulagamba lands a couple of digs.
Nugulagamba sitting in guard here, content to control.
Nugulagamba's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nugulagamba is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kartavchenko can do to turn this around?
Kartavchenko throws a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nugulagamba closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nugulagamba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've been told by Nugulagamba's head coaches at JAG Battle Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kartavchenko chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nugulagamba takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nugulagamba closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kartavchenko circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Angelica Nugulagamba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kartavchenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nugulagamba shoots in looking for a takedown. Kartavchenko tries to sprawl out of it but Nugulagamba keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kartavchenko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nugulagamba shoots in but no luck this time.

Nugulagamba closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nugulagamba lands in his opponent's guard.
Nugulagamba is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nugulagamba prevents Kartavchenko from getting back to his feet.
Angelica Nugulagamba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kartavchenko holds on and takes a little breather.
Nugulagamba sitting in guard here, content to control.

Kartavchenko pushes Nugulagamba off and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kartavchenko scores with a jab to the body.
Kartavchenko lands a head shot.
Nugulagamba tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kartavchenko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nugulagamba somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Kartavchenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nugulagamba closes the distance and clinches up with Kartavchenko, looking for a takedown. Nugulagamba pushes Kartavchenko against the cage but Kartavchenko circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kartavchenko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nugulagamba is able to avoid easily.
Nice body punch from Kartavchenko.
Nugulagamba takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kartavchenko stuffs the takedown.
Sergey Kartavchenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kartavchenko throws a head kick but Nugulagamba moves out of range.
Kartavchenko swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kartavchenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Nugulagamba.
Kartavchenko wants to land a leg kick but Nugulagamba is out of range.
Nugulagamba tries to counter with a takedown but Kartavchenko is quick to defend against it.
A clash of legs there as Nugulagamba blocks the low kick.
Nugulagamba goes for a double leg but Kartavchenko avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kartavchenko continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Angelica Nugulagamba. 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.
Nugulagamba takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nugulagamba takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice straight punches there by Kartavchenko. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kartavchenko.

Nugulagamba drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kartavchenko wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Nugulagamba manages to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nugulagamba is trying to control. Kartavchenko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nugulagamba landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nugulagamba is working for a kimura but Kartavchenko is defending it quite comfortably.
Kartavchenko works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kartavchenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kartavchenko working a defensive guard but Nugulagamba manages to pass into side control anyway.
Kartavchenko pushes Nugulagamba away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Nugulagamba gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Nugulagamba creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kartavchenko takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Nugulagamba lands some shots froms side control.

Nugulagamba is trying to get an arm triangle but Kartavchenko is defending well.
Nugulagamba working the body and head with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kartavchenko wants to control but Nugulagamba postures up.

Nugulagamba is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kartavchenko has escaped the position, nice work there.

Nugulagamba tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nugulagamba has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kartavchenko is looking for a sweep.
Kartavchenko is not content to let Nugulagamba control the position.
Kartavchenko is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Nugulagamba asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kartavchenko is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Nugulagamba working the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nugulagamba working the head and body with strikes.
Nugulagamba in side control lands a decent elbow.
Nugulagamba scores with punches from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Angelica Nugulagamba.
I think Nugulagamba has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Angelica Nugulagamba!
After the fight, Angelica Nugulagamba was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.