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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 194 p4p, 553 weight class) and Kron Gracie (ranked 28 p4p, 71 weight class). Nurmagomedov comes to the cage accompanied by Dagestan (Remix). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 178 cm
30
170
13 - 1 - 0 |
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174 cm
23
152
8 - 3 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kron Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Ivan Kurochkin.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A shot to the body from Nurmagomedov misses
and Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
Nurmagomedov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.
Gracie controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nurmagomedov is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
Nurmagomedov keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Nurmagomedov keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nurmagomedov cracks Gracie with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov lands a jab to Gracie's midsection.
Nurmagomedov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Nurmagomedov gets caught napping as Gracie dives in and scores a takedown. Nurmagomedov manages to retain guard.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nurmagomedov is keeping the position for now.
Gracie preventing the sweep.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie advances to half guard.
Gracie trying to mount his opponent but Nurmagomedov defends it.
Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nurmagomedov has managed to free his arm - good work.
We've been hearing good reports from Nurmagomedov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is keen to just control but Nurmagomedov is a slippery customer.
Gracie is trying to work for a kimura but Nurmagomedov is defending well.
Nurmagomedov is trying to get back to full guard.
Nurmagomedov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gracie's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gracie's back!
Nurmagomedov is hanging on to Gracie's back as he tries to escape.
I would not like to be Gracie right now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to roll but Nurmagomedov sticks to his back.
Nurmagomedov has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Gracie's body.
Gracie tries to escape but Nurmagomedov has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie keeps trying to improve his position.
Nurmagomedov biding his time, controlling Gracie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Khabib Nurmagomedov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Nurmagomedov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Nurmagomedov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Nurmagomedov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nurmagomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Nurmagomedov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Nurmagomedov showed some decent athleticism there.
Gracie is looking for a sweep. Nurmagomedov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nurmagomedov is working away from the top position though.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov wants to pass to mount but Gracie is defending the position.
Nurmagomedov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Gracie is looking to improve his position.
Gracie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nurmagomedov is working away from the top position though.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
That's two 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.
Nurmagomedov works Gracie's body with a nice hook.
Gracie misses with a right hand
and Nurmagomedov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Nurmagomedov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nurmagomedov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gracie looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nurmagomedov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie with the counter takedown but Nurmagomedov avoids it easily.
The crowd cheers as Gracie lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nurmagomedov doesn't seem phased though.
Gracie uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nurmagomedov.
Gracie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nurmagomedov just misses with a punch to the body.
Nurmagomedov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Nurmagomedov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov misses with a wild combination.
Nurmagomedov throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Nurmagomedov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nurmagomedov throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Nurmagomedov missing with a left hand there. Gracie was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov darts in looking for a takedown but Gracie gets double underhooks and turns Nurmagomedov into the cage.
Gracie feints the counter takedown.
Nurmagomedov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gracie tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gracie dives in for a single leg takedown but Nurmagomedov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nurmagomedov wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Gracie enables Nurmagomedov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gracie manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to control the position but Nurmagomedov says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Gracie holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Nurmagomedov prevents Gracie from improving his position.
Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Nurmagomedov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gracie manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov misses with a straight right.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Nurmagomedov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nurmagomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gracie takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nurmagomedov looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Gracie drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Nurmagomedov defends it well.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is winning the standup battle so far.
Nurmagomedov closes the distance and clinches.
Nurmagomedov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov misses with a punch to the body.
Nurmagomedov tries to throw a body punch but Gracie avoids it by throwing Nurmagomedov back against the cage.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Nurmagomedov holds him up against the cage and eventually Gracie drops back down to his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov lands with a right to the head.
Nurmagomedov can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Gracie blocking some punches.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nurmagomedov smiles and moves away.
Nurmagomedov looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Nurmagomedov.
A swing and a miss from Nurmagomedov.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Gracie tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nurmagomedov lands a glancing blow to the side of Gracie's head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie slips a straight right by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body punch
and Gracie counters with a single leg into guard. Nurmagomedov didn't expect that.
Nurmagomedov keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Nurmagomedov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nurmagomedov has Gracie pulled in close to control his posture.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is adopting a defensive guard.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nurmagomedov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nurmagomedov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nurmagomedov quickly recovers to half guard.
Nurmagomedov is trying to get back to full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nurmagomedov defends it well.
Gracie uses his free foot to push down on Nurmagomedov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Nurmagomedov.
Gracie has hold of Nurmagomedov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Nurmagomedov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Gracie fails to advance to Nurmagomedov's back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Khabib Nurmagomedov clearly takes that round.
That's time! Nurmagomedov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Nurmagomedov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gracie sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nurmagomedov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nurmagomedov defends it nicely.
Nurmagomedov throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nurmagomedov misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gracie scores with a body shot.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Nurmagomedov.
Gracie tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A swing and a miss from Nurmagomedov.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nurmagomedov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Nurmagomedov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gracie drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Nurmagomedov defends it well.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nurmagomedov lands with an uppercut that bounces Gracie off the cage and back into range.
Nurmagomedov throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nurmagomedov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Nurmagomedov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nurmagomedov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Gracie!
Gracie tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nurmagomedov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie is trying to work for a sweep but Nurmagomedov has mounted him!
Gracie is desperately trying to improve his position but Nurmagomedov has a good base and remains in mount.
Nurmagomedov controlling the pace for now.
Gracie tries to hold on but Nurmagomedov pushes him away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov controlling from mount.
Gracie manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Gracie is looking to control Nurmagomedov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gracie avoid being mounted?
Nurmagomedov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
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.
Gracie is not content to let Nurmagomedov control the position.
Gracie wants to control but Nurmagomedov is keeping busy.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nurmagomedov doesn't manage to clinch there - Gracie circles away.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nurmagomedov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Khabib Nurmagomedov had his way with Kron Gracie in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Nurmagomedov moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.
Nurmagomedov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nurmagomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurmagomedov slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nurmagomedov gets a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov struggles to land a body shot inside as Gracie controls his hands.
Nurmagomedov pushes Gracie back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov lands with a left to the head.
Nurmagomedov throws a head punch that misses.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nurmagomedov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nurmagomedov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nurmagomedov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nurmagomedov misses with some punches.
Gracie's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Nurmagomedov has him pressed against the cage.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kron Gracie.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Nurmagomedov holds him up against the cage and eventually Gracie drops back down to his feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nurmagomedov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nurmagomedov lands a body punch.
Gracie is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Gracie blocks a body shot from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nurmagomedov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gracie jumps guard but Nurmagomedov stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nurmagomedov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov lands with a short shot to the head.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nurmagomedov smiles and moves away.
Nurmagomedov rushes Gracie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nurmagomedov can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Nurmagomedov tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.
Nurmagomedov tries to throw a body punch but Gracie avoids it by throwing Nurmagomedov back against the cage.
Nurmagomedov misses with a punch on the inside.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a head punch that misses.
Nurmagomedov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gracie's elbow.
Gracie fails to pull guard.
Nurmagomedov throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
Nurmagomedov lands an uppercut.
Gracie prevents a body shot from Nurmagomedov.
Gracie jumps guard but Nurmagomedov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Nurmagomedov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov lands with a right to the head.
Kron Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nurmagomedov lands a nice uppercut.
And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagomedov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nurmagomedov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 50:44
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 50:44
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 50:44
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagomedov!
Khabib Nurmagomedov retains his lightweight title!
A relieved looking Khabib Nurmagomedov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
34% |
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