PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jens Mertens (ranked 4772 p4p, 5889 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mertens
vs
Nurmagomedov

180 cm
25
165
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jens Mertens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Igor Prikhodko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nurmagomedov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nurmagomedov lands in his opponent's guard.

Mertens has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nurmagomedov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Some wild striking there from Nurmagomedov.
Mertens appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Mertens avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mertens moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurmagomedov fails to land the takedown.

Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Mertens throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Nurmagomedov shoots in but Mertens avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mertens seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov shoots in and bounces Mertens off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Nurmagomedov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Nurmagomedov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mertens looking to control.
Nurmagomedov stops Mertens from standing up.
Mertens doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mertens is looking to sweep but instead, Nurmagomedov has passed into half guard.
Nurmagomedov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mertens wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mertens tries to roll over but Nurmagomedov keeps him under control.
Mertens makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mertens.
Nurmagomedov looks winded!
Nurmagomedov works over Mertens with some ground and pound from guard.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Mertens is working from the bottom.

Mertens kicks Nurmagomedov off and gets to his feet.
Mertens throws a half hearted mid kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Mertens scores with a four punch combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mertens lands with a nice combination. Nurmagomedov backs away looking to recover.
Mertens throws a series of strikes that have Nurmagomedov backpedaling.
Mertens throws a low kick but it's checked well by Nurmagomedov.
Mertens shoots in looking for a takedown but Nurmagomedov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mertens's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nurmagomedov is looking for the big counter here.
Mertens avoids a kick to the body.
Donk. Mertens catches Nurmagomedov right on the button with a cross.
Nurmagomedov misses with a few strikes there.
Mertens throws a front kick aimed at Nurmagomedov's knee but Nurmagomedov avoids it well.
Mertens throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mertens is looking to clinch but Nurmagomedov is avoiding it.
Mertens tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nurmagomedov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mertens shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nurmagomedov as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mertens closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nurmagomedov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Mertens tries to break free but Nurmagomedov pushes him back against the cage.
Mertens is trying to break the clinch but Nurmagomedov is controlling him.

Mertens manages to break the clinch.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mertens avoids it really well and circles away.
Mertens seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Jens Mertens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Mertens with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jens Mertens dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mertens will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mertens pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Nurmagomedov back to the cage. Mertens follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Mertens moves into the clinch successfully.

Nurmagomedov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mertens misses with a low kick as Nurmagomedov jumps back.

Mertens gets a clinch.
Nurmagomedov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nurmagomedov looking to throw knees to the head but Mertens is blocking nicely.

Nurmagomedov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mertens tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mertens is looking to clinch but Nurmagomedov is avoiding it.
Jens Mertens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mertens throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Mertens looks to land a combination but Nurmagomedov avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mertens leaves Nurmagomedov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nurmagomedov is breathing heavily.
Mertens lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Nurmagomedov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mertens will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mertens is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nurmagomedov can do to turn this around?

Mertens closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mertens wants to break free but Nurmagomedov has control.

Mertens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A left and a right from Mertens both land. Nice combination.
Mertens fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nurmagomedov is looking to clinch but Mertens is avoiding it.
Jens Mertens is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mertens misses with a kick to the body

and Nurmagomedov counters with a shoot takedown. Mertens fights it but they end up in guard.

Mertens pushes Nurmagomedov off and gets back to his feet.
Mertens throws a right and a left that Nurmagomedov avoids nicely.
Mertens moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromNurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mertens on his heels. He'll look to pass Mertens's guard now, I'm sure.

Mertens has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nurmagomedov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Mertens moves in looking to clinch but Nurmagomedov pushes him off.

Mertens clinches up against the cage.
Mertens wants to break free but Nurmagomedov has control.
Mertens is trying to break the clinch but Nurmagomedov has him pressed against the cage.
Nurmagomedov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mertens lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nurmagomedov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mertens cracks Nurmagomedov with a nice body shot.
Nurmagomedov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mertens gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Jens Mertens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Mertens breaks the clinch.
Mertens attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nurmagomedov wants to counter the offense by Mertens and move into the clinch position.
Mertens throws the kick towards the body but Nurmagomedov avoids it.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a clinch but Mertens shakes him off and moves away.
Nurmagomedov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mertens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mertens fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nurmagomedov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mertens throws a body kick that misses.
Mertens throws a head kick that misses.
Mertens stalks Nurmagomedov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nurmagomedov's face. Nurmagomedov staggers backwards, shaken.
A cross from Mertens lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mertens forces Nurmagomedov back against the cage and clinches.
Mertens has had enough of the clinch but Nurmagomedov keeps him there for the moment.
Mertens wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Mertens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mertens is working the combinations to good effect here.

Mertens takes the fight into the clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nurmagomedov wants to take the fight to the mat but Mertens manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Mertens.

Mertens pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nurmagomedov checks the leg kick.
Mertens connects with a looping right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jens Mertens dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Mertens blocks a head kick by Nurmagomedov.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mertens looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Mertens lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Nurmagomedov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Nurmagomedov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Mertens is looking to clinch.
Mertens tried to score with a low kick but Nurmagomedov checks it.

Nurmagomedov rushes Mertens and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nurmagomedov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Mertens.
Mertens looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A bit of stalling here from Mertens.
Mertens lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nurmagomedov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mertens is looking to clinch.
Nurmagomedov dives in and grabs Mertens's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mertens pushes down on Nurmagomedov's head and hops out.

Mertens clinches up with Nurmagomedov and pushes him back against the cage.
Mertens has had enough of the clinch but Nurmagomedov keeps him there for the moment.
Mertens looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mertens tries to break the clinch but Nurmagomedov is controlling the position.
Mertens lands a body shot in the clinch.
Mertens presses Nurmagomedov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nurmagomedov keeps control of Mertens as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Mertens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nurmagomedov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mertens counters with a left and a right that stings Nurmagomedov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mertens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mertens with a nice cross.
Mertens scores with a one two! Nurmagomedov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nurmagomedov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mertens closes the distance and pushes Nurmagomedov back into the cage.
Mertens has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Mertens manages to break the clinch.
Mertens moves away from the strike by Nurmagomedov.
Mertens scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mertens connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nurmagomedov momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Mertens.
Mertens shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nurmagomedov pinned against the cage. Nurmagomedov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Mertens darts in and clinches Nurmagomedov up against the cage.

Nurmagomedov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Mertens is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mertens makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Mertens tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Nurmagomedov defends well and Mertens ends up having to push Nurmagomedov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mertens lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nurmagomedov with a poor takedown
and Mertens counters with a nice body shot.
Jens Mertens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Mertens instigates a clinch.
Nurmagomedov letting Mertens take a breather here.
Jens Mertens has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mertens is looking to break free of the clinch but Nurmagomedov has double underhooks.

Mertens pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jens Mertens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mertens digs a good hook to Nurmagomedov's body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jens Mertens showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mertens has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jens Mertens!