PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Chimaev (ranked 4592 p4p, 5791 weight class) and Ben Hornby (ranked 490 p4p, 554 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Chimaev
vs
Hornby

220 cm
19
155
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
18
155
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 Los Angeles, Khabib Chimaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Hornby!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Konstantin Menshow and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hornby tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hornby tries to clinch but Chimaev moves out of range.
Hornby throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Chimaev's waist but Chimaev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hornby off to one side.
A little feinted left hand from Chimaev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hornby connects with a jab.
Hornby misses with a two punch combination.
Chimaev throws a right and a left that Hornby avoids nicely.

Chimaev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hornby to the mat! Hornby manages to get full guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Hornby manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chimaev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hornby pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hornby is trying hard to land a takedown here. Chimaev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chimaev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hornby wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chimaev dodges the punch combination from Hornby.
Chimaev tries to counter with a takedown but Hornby is quick to defend against it.
Chimaev is looking to land body kicks.
Hornby checks the leg kick.
Hornby fails with the takedown
and Chimaev counters with a thumping low kick.
Khabib Chimaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Hornby.
Good leg kick by Chimaev.
Chimaev lands with a kick to the temple. Hornby shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hornby wants to clinch
and Chimaev counters with a three punch combo that has Hornby backing up. Hornby nods at Chimaev to acknowledge the strikes.
Chimaev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Chimaev plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hornby is trying hard to land a takedown here. Chimaev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chimaev leaves Hornby with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Chimaev slaps away a takedown attempt from Hornby, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hornby dives in and grabs Chimaev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Chimaev pushes down on Hornby's head and hops out.
Hornby looks winded!
Hornby dives in for a single leg takedown but Chimaev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Chimaev attempts a counter takedown but Hornby avoids it well and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chimaev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hornby, pushing him back against the cage.
The referee calls for Chimaev to work.
Hornby is looking to break free of the clinch but Chimaev has double underhooks.
Chimaev has Hornby pressed against the cage.
Chimaev is trying to drag Hornby to the mat but Hornby just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Chimaev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hornby is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Chimaev tries to throw a body punch but Hornby avoids it by throwing Chimaev back against the cage.
Hornby has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Chimaev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Chimaev can't get the takedown.
Chimaev is looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hornby gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Chimaev has clasped his hands together around Hornby's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Hornby takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Hornby is not content to let Chimaev control the position.
Hornby is trying to improve his position.
Chimaev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Chimaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hornby keeps working.
Hornby has one of Chimaev's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Hornby is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Chimaev off and has taken his back!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Chimaev dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hornby tries to clinch up.
Hornby tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Chimaev attempts a counter takedown but Hornby avoids it well and moves away.

Chimaev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Chimaev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Chimaev wants to control from the top but Hornby keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chimaev content to stall in guard here.
Chimaev wants to control from the top but Hornby keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hornby not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Chimaev makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chimaev throws a big elbow that misses.
Chimaev looking to sit in guard and control but Hornby gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Chimaev is looking to stand up but Hornby isn't so interested in that idea.
Hornby is fighting to break Chimaev's control of his arms but Chimaev is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hornby won't allow Chimaev to sweep him here.
Hornby throws a big right hand that misses.
Chimaev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hornby is looking to stand up but Chimaev won't let him.
Chimaev is adopting a defensive guard.
Chimaev trying to keep a closed guard but Hornby is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hornby is fighting to break Chimaev's control of his arms but Chimaev is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hornby shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Chimaev but Chimaev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Chimaev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
It looked like Chimaev was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Hornby looks for a takedown but Chimaev sprawls well.
Chimaev comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hornby has his takedown stuffed

and Chimaev counters with a takedown into side control.
Khabib Chimaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Hornby.
Hornby is breathing heavily.
Chimaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hornby keeps working.
Chimaev really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Chimaev is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Chimaev is looking to take a break and control but Hornby is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Chimaev tries to advance to mount but Hornby denies him.
Chimaev wants to control but Hornby is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev is really struggling to control Hornby but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Chimaev happy to just control the position for now.
Hornby tries to improve position but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Chimaev trying to control the position but Hornby is working away.
Chimaev lands a few punches from side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Chimaev dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hornby shoots in for a double leg but Chimaev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Chimaev stuffs the takedown attempt from Hornby. Hornby gets slowly back to his feet.

Chimaev feints and as Hornby raises his hands in defense, Chimaev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Chimaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Hornby is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chimaev looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hornby working a defensive guard here.
Hornby has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Chimaev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chimaev preventing the sweep.
Chimaev slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hornby takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Chimaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hornby keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Hornby's face as Chimaev controls the position.

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.
Chimaev has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Chimaev landing a few strikes.
Chimaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hornby keeps working.
Hornby is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Chimaev is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

Chimaev goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Hornby is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hornby stays in close to Chimaev's body and controls the position.
Chimaev looking for a sweep. Not yet Chimaev, not yet.
Hornby wants to control from the top but Chimaev keeps moving.
Khabib Chimaev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Chimaev is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chimaev lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Khabib Chimaev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four 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.
Chimaev is pulling down on Hornby's head. It's preventing any offense from Hornby, at least for the moment.
Hornby postures up.
Chimaev seems keen to control Hornby's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Chimaev gets the takedown into side control.

Hornby bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Hornby comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Chimaev 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!