PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 451 p4p, 706 weight class) and Nicky Spite (ranked 67 p4p, 123 weight class). Nurmagomedov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Dagestan (Remix). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nurmagomedov
vs
Spite

178 cm
32
175
17 - 3 - 0

186 cm
26
176
15 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013
Brooklyn Apothecary

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nicky Spite!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Micheangelo Fripello and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spite walks into a left hand.

Spite gets tackled into the cage by Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov maintains the clinch.
Nurmagomedov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nurmagomedov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Nurmagomedov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Spite tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nurmagomedov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Spites head.
Nurmagomedov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nurmagomedov leaning against his opponent.
Spite tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nurmagomedov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nurmagomedov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Spite or not.
Nurmagomedov misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Come on Nurmagomedov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nurmagomedov tries a body shot but Spite blocks it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nurmagomedov.
Nice body punch from Nurmagomedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Nurmagomedov.
Spite tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A right handed body shot lands from Nurmagomedov.
Spite tries to stall but Nurmagomedov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nurmagomedov digs a right hand into Spite's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Spite's gas tank.
Spite misses with a punch to the body.
Spite being controlled against the cage.
Spite struggles to land a body shot inside as Nurmagomedov controls his hands.
Spite blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Nurmagomedov fails to land.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice uppercut.
Nurmagomedov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nurmagomedov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Spites head.
Spite blocking some punches.
Nurmagomedov has Spite pushed against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Nurmagomedov fails to land.
Nurmagomedov tries to work over Spite's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nurmagomedov throws a punch but it's blocked by Spite.
Nurmagomedov stalling against the cage.
Nurmagomedov throws a head punch that misses.
Spite blocking some punches.
Spite blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nurmagomedov is stalling here.
The referee calls for Nurmagomedov to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spite tries to pull guard but Nurmagomedov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicky Spite.
Nurmagomedov tries to work over Spite's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Spite is trying to stall.
Nurmagomedov misses with a punch to the body.

Spite jumps into guard, dragging Nurmagomedov to the mat.

Spite throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Nurmagomedov escapes and throws Spite's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Nurmagomedov taking a breather here.
Spite tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spite is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Nurmagomedov off and has taken his back!

Spite is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Nurmagomedov defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but not successfully.

Spite has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov tries to break free.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that 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.

Nurmagomedov leaves Spite with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nurmagomedov digs a good hook to Spite's body.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nurmagomedov enables Spite to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nurmagomedov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spite stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nurmagomedov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nurmagomedov seems keen to control Spite's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spite trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Nurmagomedov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Spite has an active guard here but Nurmagomedov has managed to pass into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Nurmagomedov passes to full mount!
Spite is looking to improve his position but Nurmagomedov isn't that keen on the idea.

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.
Spite is still trying to improve position.
Nurmagomedov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Spite is looking to improve his position but Nurmagomedov isn't that keen on the idea.
Spite wants to hold on but Nurmagomedov pushes him away.
Nicky Spite has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nurmagomedov controlling from the full mount.
Spite felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Nurmagomedov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Spite can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov prevents Spite from getting the reversal.
Nurmagomedov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Spite working to try and regain half guard.
Spite bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Nurmagomedov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Spite is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov passes into side control, despite Spite's attempt to control the position.
Spite is trying to improve his position.
Nurmagomedov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Spite tries to buck Nurmagomedov off but Nurmagomedov is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov staying calm.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Spite.

Nurmagomedov drops Spite with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Spite looks back up at him and smiles so Nurmagomedov waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Spite is rocked!
Nurmagomedov measures up his opponent and throws a superman punch that connects to the jaw! Down goes Spite! The ref steps in, and that's the ball game folks!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Superman Punch). Khabib Nurmagomedov!
After winning the bout, Khabib Nurmagomedov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.