PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khakim Khadzhimurad (ranked 441 p4p, 1126 weight class) and Caio Bottura (ranked 57 p4p, 132 weight class). Bottura has chosen Face The Pain as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Khadzhimurad
vs
Bottura

186 cm
29
157
13 - 5 - 0

173 cm
37
146
32 - 22 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

HELLBENT
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Khakim Khadzhimurad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 22 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Caio Bottura!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khadzhimurad looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bottura lands a nice leg kick that just misses Khadzhimurad's sensitive parts.
Khadzhimurad really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bottura thows a leg kick but Khadzhimurad checks it
enabling Khadzhimurad to counter with a crisp jab.
Bottura goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bottura throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bottura checks a leg kick nicely.
We've been informed that Bottura has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Khadzhimurad throws a low kick but Bottura avoids it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bottura.
Khadzhimurad misses with a body kick.
Khadzhimurad lands a lovely overhand right.
A swing and a miss from Bottura.
Khadzhimurad has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Bottura.
Bottura misses with a hook to the body
and Khadzhimurad makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bottura thumps Khadzhimurad with a low kick.
Bottura jabs Khadzhimurad to the body, keeping him at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bottura jabs at Khadzhimurad's body.

Khadzhimurad shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bottura manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Khadzhimurad trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Khadzhimurad will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Bottura had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Khadzhimurad defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khadzhimurad passes into half guard.
Bottura is trying to maintain the position but Khadzhimurad is very close to passing his half guard.
Bottura is staying active underneath Khadzhimurad, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Bottura looking for a kimura from the bottom but Khadzhimurad passes into side control!
Bottura is looking for a sweep.
Bottura is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bottura is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bottura trying to hold on to Khadzhimurad's head to control him but Khadzhimurad postures up.

Bottura looking for submissions off his back.

Bottura actively working from the bottom here.

Khadzhimurad looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bottura is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khadzhimurad works his way into side control.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Khadzhimurad wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bottura, who protects the arm well.
Khadzhimurad working away.

Khadzhimurad goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Bottura has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Khadzhimurad but great work by Bottura.

Bottura tries for a kimura but Khadzhimurad is defending well.
Khadzhimurad tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bottura wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Bottura misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khadzhimurad is looking to regain half guard here but Bottura keeps moving and retains side control.
Khadzhimurad is not content to let Bottura control the position.
Khadzhimurad is trying to improve his position.
Bottura working the ground and pound but Khadzhimurad is defending the strikes.
Bottura wants to control but Khadzhimurad is keeping him busy.

Bottura working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Bottura thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
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 Khakim Khadzhimurad will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bottura tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Khadzhimurad is able to avoid easily.
Bottura throws a body punch but Khadzhimurad moves out of range.
Khadzhimurad looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Khadzhimurad blocks a leg kick.
Bottura lands with a hook. Khadzhimurad tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bottura ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Khadzhimurad takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bottura blocks a head kick by Khadzhimurad.
Bottura fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bottura checks a low kick from Khadzhimurad.
As Khadzhimurad backs off Bottura throws a huge counter combo but Khadzhimurad manages to avoid it all.
Bottura throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Bottura throws a big shot that misses.
Bottura defending well as Khadzhimurad loads up on a big left hand.
Bottura looks to score with a jab to the body but Khadzhimurad is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick by Khadzhimurad misses
and Bottura counters with a nice uppercut.
Bottura scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bottura feints and then cracks Khadzhimurad's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Khadzhimurad down.
Khadzhimurad lands a nice looking kick to the body. Bottura takes a step back to recover.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some bone on bone action there as Khadzhimurad checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bottura is looking to slow Khadzhimurad down with leg kicks.
Khadzhimurad misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bottura. Khadzhimurad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Khadzhimurad takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bottura throws a head kick but Khadzhimurad moves out of range.
Khadzhimurad cracks Bottura with a good jab.
Khadzhimurad defending well as Bottura loads up on a big left hand.
Khadzhimurad tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bottura manages to circle out of the way.
Bottura throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Khadzhimurad is looking to land body kicks.
Khadzhimurad takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Khadzhimurad avoids the body shot from Bottura.
A big left from Khadzhimurad misses.
Nice body punch from Bottura.
Khadzhimurad takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bottura takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Khadzhimurad cracks Bottura with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bottura connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A swing and a miss from Bottura.
Khadzhimurad seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khadzhimurad blocks a head kick by Bottura.
Caio Bottura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khadzhimurad blocks a leg kick.
That kick from Khadzhimurad tenderised Bottura's leg. Bottura is trying to keep his angry face on.
Khadzhimurad scores with a nice right hand.
Khadzhimurad swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bottura feints a counter leg kick.
Bottura walks into a jab.
Bottura thuds a left hand into Khadzhimurad's body.
Bottura throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bottura scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Khadzhimurad checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Bottura misses with a low kick as Khadzhimurad jumps back.
A telegraphed right hand from Bottura misses the target.
Khadzhimurad is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Bottura.
Bottura throws a sloppy body shot
and Khadzhimurad counters with a straight right hand.

Bottura gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Khadzhimurad to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Khadzhimurad stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bottura swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bottura throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Khadzhimurad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bottura is keeping the position for now.

Bottura throws his legs up looking for a submission but Khadzhimurad uses it to pass to side control.
Bottura is trying to improve his position.
Khadzhimurad has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Khadzhimurad avoids the attempt from Bottura to control.
Khadzhimurad is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bottura wants to control but Khadzhimurad is having none of it.
Khadzhimurad wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.

Khadzhimurad with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Bottura is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Bottura is looking to improve his position but Khadzhimurad isn't that keen on the idea.
Bottura is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Caio Bottura will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Khadzhimurad with a nice cross.
A thudding body kick lands there by Khadzhimurad!
Khadzhimurad ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bottura fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Khadzhimurad manages to avoid it.
Bottura motions for Khadzhimurad to come forward. Bottura throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bottura throws a big shot that misses.
Bottura is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Khadzhimurad rather than just go for the knockout.
Bottura scores with a hook to the body. Khadzhimurad takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Khadzhimurad is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Bottura pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bottura throws a jab but it's blocked by Khadzhimurad.
Khadzhimurad checks a low kick from Bottura.
Khadzhimurad takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Khadzhimurad misses with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bottura scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Khadzhimurad goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bottura getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bottura with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A shot to the liver by Bottura. Beautiful body shot.
Caio Bottura seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Khadzhimurad displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bottura throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bottura scores with a spinning back kick!
Khadzhimurad throws a hook but Bottura blocks it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Khadzhimurad. That's going to slow Bottura down.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Khadzhimurad - that will leave a mark!
Bottura has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Khadzhimurad finds it's way round the side to connect with Bottura's head.
Khadzhimurad is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Khadzhimurad has Bottura up against the cage in a clinch.
Khadzhimurad is working Bottura over against the cage.
Bottura tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Khadzhimurad just stands there and leans against the cage.
A body shot lands from Khadzhimurad.
Khadzhimurad tries to work over Bottura's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Khadzhimurad misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bottura fails to pull guard.
Khadzhimurad misses with a body punch.
Bottura tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Khadzhimurad just stands there and leans against the cage.
Khakim Khadzhimurad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caio Bottura.
Khadzhimurad lands a shot to the body.
Khadzhimurad working aggressively here.
Bottura is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Khadzhimurad to keep the fight standing.
Bottura fails to pull guard.
Bottura takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bottura tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Khadzhimurad lands a hook to the side of the head.
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!
Bottura jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Khadzhimurad walks away with a smile on his face. Bottura gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Khadzhimurad.
A cross from Khadzhimurad lands.
Bottura throws a sloppy head kick and Khadzhimurad moves out of range easily.
Bottura misses with a low kick.
Bottura misses with a hook.
Khadzhimurad is looking to counter with head kicks.
Khadzhimurad misses with a body kick.
Khadzhimurad takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bottura bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Khadzhimurad tries to land a front kick but Bottura steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bottura explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Bottura tries to keep at a distance but Khadzhimurad has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bottura leaning his opponent against the cage.
Khadzhimurad has a couple of punches blocked by Bottura.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bottura is trying to maintain a safe position but Khadzhimurad gets an underhook and turns Bottura into the cage.
Khadzhimurad tries a body shot but Bottura blocks it.
Khadzhimurad misses with a punch to the body.

Bottura pulls guard effortlessly.
Khadzhimurad tries to free his leg and advance position but Bottura is retaining full guard.
Bottura keeping moving, preventing Khadzhimurad from controlling successfully.
Khadzhimurad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bottura is keeping the position for now.
Khadzhimurad sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bottura's guard.
Khadzhimurad frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Khadzhimurad moves to the back position.
Bottura prevents Khadzhimurad from getting a body triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bottura is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Khadzhimurad gets his hands free as Bottura looks to control.

Khadzhimurad looking for the RNC.
Khadzhimurad keeps control of the position as Bottura tries to break free.
Bottura just trying to survive but Khadzhimurad is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Khadzhimurad has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Bottura is defending well but eventually Khadzhimurad manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Bottura has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Khakim Khadzhimurad!
Khakim Khadzhimurad retains his featherweight title!
A very excited looking Khakim Khadzhimurad made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.