PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Larry Work (ranked 4939 p4p, 5162 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.

Work
vs
Nurmagomedov

170 cm
22
145
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Larry Work!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Edson Gomes and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nurmagomedov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Work looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Nurmagomedov advances to mount.
Nurmagomedov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Work on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Work tries to get out of the position.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Work is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Work is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Work is looking to escape.
Work is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Work is having none of it.
Nurmagomedov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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.
Work wants to get back to his feet.
Nurmagomedov can't control as he wanted to and Work manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Nurmagomedov trying to control from half guard but Work is working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nurmagomedov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Work's guard.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Work is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nurmagomedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nurmagomedov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Work wants to stand up but Nurmagomedov is controlling him.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but Work is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nurmagomedov looks for a takedown but Work sprawls well.
Nurmagomedov shoots for a double leg takedown but Work sprawls well. He's pushed Nurmagomedov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Work feinted with a counter takedown.
Nurmagomedov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Work pinned against the cage. Work gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Larry Work has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nurmagomedov fails to land the takedown.
Nurmagomedov dives in for a single leg takedown but Work sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Work attempts a counter takedown but Nurmagomedov avoids it well and moves away.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Work avoids it really well and circles away.
Work half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Nurmagomedov has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Work lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Work connects with a nice short shot to Nurmagomedov's temple.
Nurmagomedov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Work is working away from the top position though.
Work looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ground and pound from Work.
Nurmagomedov wants to improve his position but Work is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Work trying to control the pace.
Work lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Work controlling the action here.
Nurmagomedov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Nurmagomedov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov tries to roll over but Work keeps him under control.
Nurmagomedov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Work.
Work slips a nice elbow through Nurmagomedov's hands, connecting with Nurmagomedov's forehead.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov is looking for a sweep. Work is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Work lands a nice short elbow.
Nurmagomedov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Nurmagomedov trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Larry Work dominated that second 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. And we move into the final round!

Nurmagomedov shoots in for a double leg but Work sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nurmagomedov shoots for a double leg takedown but Work sprawls well. He's pushed Nurmagomedov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Work attempts a counter takedown but Nurmagomedov avoids it well and moves away.
Nurmagomedov misses with a takedown attempt - Work sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Larry Work has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Work is fending him off so far but Nurmagomedov persists. Nope, Work circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Nurmagomedov with that takedown attempt.
Work changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Work displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nurmagomedov.
Work changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nurmagomedov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov fails with the takedown

and Work decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nurmagomedov's guard.
Work is working Nurmagomedov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Work's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Work working some strikes from top position.
Work working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nurmagomedov's head.
Nurmagomedov wants to sweep here but Work controlling him for the moment.
Work working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nurmagomedov's head.
Nurmagomedov wants to sweep here but Work controlling him for the moment.
Work is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Work has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Work cracks Nurmagomedov with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Work distracts Nurmagomedov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Work stands up over Nurmagomedov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Work postures up and lands a big shot to Nurmagomedov's brow.
Work controlling from the top position.
Work stopping the sweep attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Work lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Work is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nurmagomedov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Work controls the pace.
Work seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Nurmagomedov for as long as he can get away with.

Nurmagomedov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Work defends well.
Work with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Work looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Work is in close to Nurmagomedov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Work scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Work not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Nurmagomedov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Work is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four 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.

Nurmagomedov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Work defends it easily.
Work is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Nurmagomedov striking off his back but it's not causing Work any problems.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Nurmagomedov clinches.

Work gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Nurmagomedov manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Work has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Nurmagomedov regains guard immediately.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Larry Work is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Nurmagomedov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Larry Work showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Work 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight for Larry Work!
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight for Larry Work!
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight for Larry Work!

Larry Work wins by unanimous decision!