PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Chimaev (ranked 4869 p4p, 6247 weight class) and Ben Hornby (ranked 494 p4p, 567 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Khabib Chimaev has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Khabib Chimaev seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Chimaev
vs
Hornby

220 cm
19
155
0 - 0 - 1

172 cm
18
155
0 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

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 - 1, 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 - 1, fighting out of London, Ben Hornby!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Chimaev as Hornby shoots in.
Chimaev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ben Hornby seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chimaev shoots in looking for a takedown but Hornby manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Chimaev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Chimaev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Chimaev throws a jab when Hornby was well out of range.
Hornby shoots in but no luck this time.
Chimaev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Chimaev. 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.
Hornby scores with a shot to the body.
Chimaev fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hornby moves into the clinch successfully.
Chimaev wants to take the fight to the mat but Hornby manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Chimaev pulls guard effortlessly.
Hornby with a flurry of punches that miss.
Chimaev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Chimaev pulls Hornby in close to his closed guard and prevents Hornby from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hornby advances to half guard.
Hornby is thwarting Chimaev's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hornby looking for a submission but Chimaev manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev keeping moving, preventing Hornby from controlling successfully.
Chimaev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hornby trying to control the position from guard on top but Chimaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chimaev pulls Hornby in close to his closed guard and prevents Hornby from doing any damage or advancing position.
Chimaev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chimaev wants to control but Hornby passes easily into half guard.
Hornby really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Chimaev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Chimaev gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hornby stopping the sweep attempt from Chimaev.
Chimaev keeping moving, preventing Hornby from controlling successfully.
Hornby sitting in guard here, content to control.
Chimaev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chimaev has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hornby trying to stand up but can't free himself from Chimaev's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Hornby tries to clinch up.
As Hornby looks to move away, Chimaev throws a big counter combo but Hornby just gets out of the way.

That's four 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.
Hornby tries to bum rush Chimaev with a series of wild strikes but Chimaev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hornby tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Chimaev has Hornby up against the cage in a clinch.
Chimaev prevents the takedown attempt.
Chimaev is looking to take this one to the mat.

Chimaev decides to pull guard.

Chimaev is working an open guard so Hornby takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Hornby shoots in but no luck this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Chimaev moves into the clinch successfully.
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 is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hornby is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Khabib Chimaev will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hornby tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hornby tries to keep at a distance but Chimaev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hornby blocking some punches.
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 gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Chimaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hornby keeps working.
Chimaev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chimaev is trying to control. Hornby wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Chimaev content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Hornby has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Chimaev is working away from the top position though.
Chimaev looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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. Chimaev connects with a nice short shot to Hornby's temple.
Chimaev is trying to control. Hornby wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Khabib Chimaev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Chimaev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Chimaev lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Chimaev lands a nice short elbow.
Chimaev is keen to just control but Hornby is a slippery customer.
Chimaev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Chimaev is looking to take a break and control but Hornby is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Chimaev working Hornby over with strikes.

Hornby actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Chimaev winds up and cracks Hornby with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hornby wants to get back to his feet.
Hornby is trying to get back to full guard.
Chimaev is trying to control the action in half guard but Hornby is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Chimaev is trying to work for a kimura but Hornby is defending well.
Hornby avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Chimaev.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Chimaev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hornby is staying active underneath Chimaev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hornby is trying to stand.
Hornby is not content to let Chimaev control the position.
Chimaev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Chimaev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Chimaev trying to control the action but Hornby is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hornby throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Chimaev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Chimaev dives in for a single leg takedown but Hornby sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Chimaev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hornby fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Chimaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hornby shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Chimaev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hornby is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hornby fails with a takedown attempt.
Chimaev leaves Hornby with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Chimaev clinches up with Hornby and pushes him back against the cage.
Chimaev wants a takedown.
Hornby jumps guard but Chimaev turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chimaev tries to score a body lock takedown but Hornby shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Chimaev is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Hornby can't fight it off and eventually Chimaev manages to take the fight to the floor. Hornby looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Chimaev 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.
Chimaev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Chimaev dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hornby misses with a takedown attempt - Chimaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hornby looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hornby is looking to clinch.
Chimaev went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Hornby swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hornby tries to move into range but Chimaev moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hornby tries to close the distance and clinch but Chimaev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hornby.
Chimaev quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Khabib Chimaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Hornby.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hornby ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chimaev moves away.
Hornby shoots in looking for a takedown. Chimaev tries to sprawl out of it but Hornby keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Chimaev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Chimaev attempts a counter takedown but Hornby avoids it well and moves away.
Chimaev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hornby can do to turn this around?
Hornby takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
No luck for Hornby with that takedown attempt.
Hornby fails with a takedown attempt.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Chimaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chimaev looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Hornby!
Chimaev works to advance to full mount. Hornby defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Chimaev takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
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 tries to control but Hornby wriggling away.
Hornby keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Chimaev sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hornby is trying to escape the mount.
Chimaev cracks Hornby with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Chimaev looking to control and managing it successfully.

Chimaev has control of Hornby's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hornby regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Chimaev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hornby is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khabib Chimaev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Chimaev content just to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Chimaev showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Chimaev!
Khabib Chimaev was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.