PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mehdi Kanaani (ranked 521 p4p, 957 weight class) and Lyoha Nagibatel (ranked 70 p4p, 130 weight class). Kanaani comes to the cage accompanied by Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg - Nuthin' But A G Thang. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kanaani
vs
Nagibatel

170 cm
23
170
11 - 3 - 0

180 cm
23
160
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR

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 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mehdi Kanaani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lyoha Nagibatel!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kanaani loads up on a big right hand but Nagibatel slips the punch.
Nagibatel digs a good hook to Kanaani's body.
Nagibatel misses with a wild body shot.
Kanaani throws a hook to the side of Nagibatel's head but Nagibatel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lyoha Nagibatel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch lands to the side of Kanaani 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nagibatel circles away from the clinch attempt.
An inside leg kick lands from Nagibatel.
Nagibatel moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nagibatel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kanaani's head backwards.

Nagibatel gets tackled into the cage by Kanaani. Kanaani maintains the clinch.
Nagibatel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Nagibatel fails to land.
Kanaani looking to stall.
Kanaani drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nagibatel pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kanaani looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kanaani moves into range and connects with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nagibatel scores with a nice right hand.
Kanaani blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanaani displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nagibatel throws out the jab.
Nagibatel lands a nice shot to the body.
A good leg kick by Nagibatel.
Nagibatel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kanaani throws a series of punches but Nagibatel moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Kanaani.
Kanaani throws out a loose jab but Nagibatel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kanaani connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nagibatel momentarily.

Kanaani has Nagibatel up against the cage in a clinch.
Kanaani is trying to drag Nagibatel to the mat but Nagibatel just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Nagibatel has a couple of punches blocked by Kanaani.
Nagibatel tries a body shot but Kanaani blocks it.
Kanaani blocking some punches.
Nagibatel tries to work over Kanaani's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kanaani trying to stall but Nagibatel improves his position.
Nagibatel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nagibatel lands with a light punch inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nagibatel lands a shoulder strike.
Nagibatel working aggressively here.
Kanaani scores with a shot to the side of Nagibatel's head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kanaani.
Nagibatel lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nagibatel throws a head punch that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kanaani.
Nagibatel throws a punch but it's blocked by Kanaani.
Kanaani misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nagibatel tries to work over Kanaani's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kanaani scores with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Nagibatel - that landed with a thud.
Nagibatel lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kanaani backwards.
Kanaani is stalling here.
Kanaani blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nagibatel throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mehdi Kanaani. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nagibatel throws a punch but it's blocked by Kanaani.
Nagibatel struggles to land a body shot inside as Kanaani controls his hands.
Kanaani drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kanaani has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Nagibatel regains guard immediately.
Nagibatel told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Nagibatel looking for a sweep. Not yet Nagibatel, not yet.
Kanaani trying to control but Nagibatel is working from the bottom.
Nagibatel is controlling Kanaani's posture.
Nagibatel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel has Kanaani pulled in close to control his posture.
Kanaani slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kanaani with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nagibatel scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nagibatel ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kanaani fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nagibatel throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nagibatel misses with a low kick.
Kanaani sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Nagibatel lands with a nice body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Nagibatel does it's job there.
Nagibatel throws a nice outside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoha Nagibatel dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kanaani tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kanaani on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nagibatel scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kanaani misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nagibatel jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nagibatel sizes up Kanaani with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kanaani shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nagibatel sprawls well. Nagibatel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kanaani gets slowly back to his feet.
Nagibatel tries to land a front kick but Kanaani steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nagibatel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kanaani checks a leg kick.
Kanaani tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Nagibatel manages to circle out of the way.
Kanaani cracks Nagibatel with a good jab.
Nagibatel throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kanaani counters with a straight right hand.
Kanaani throws a series of punches but Nagibatel avoids them all with ease.
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!
Nagibatel stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nagibatel looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nagibatel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kanaani misses with a body punch
and Nagibatel counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nagibatel bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lyoha Nagibatel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagibatel lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kanaani misses with an uppercut. Nagibatel saw that one coming.
Nagibatel lands a leg kick that knocks Kanaani off balance momentarily.
Nagibatel misses with a hook. Kanaani ducked under it nicely.
Nagibatel jabs Kanaani to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Nagibatel has Kanaani up against the cage in a clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nagibatel misses with a punch to the body.
Nagibatel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nagibatel throws a head punch that misses.
Lyoha Nagibatel seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kanaani wants to take the fight to the mat but Nagibatel manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kanaani is trying to stall.
Nagibatel working aggressively here.
Nagibatel throws a punch but it's blocked by Kanaani.
Kanaani tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nagibatel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nagibatel struggles to land a body shot inside as Kanaani controls his hands.
Kanaani changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nagibatel fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mehdi Kanaani. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nagibatel throws a head kick that misses.
Nagibatel clobbers Kanaani with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kanaani has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nagibatel.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kanaani looking to score a takedown here. Nagibatel is defending well but Kanaani drives through and ends up in Nagibatel's guard.
Kanaani missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Nagibatel has his feet on Kanaani's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Kanaani fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nagibatel on the side of the head.
Kanaani tries to clinch there but Nagibatel circles away.
Kanaani misses the jab.
Nagibatel swats away the attempt to clinch by Kanaani.
Nagibatel bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kanaani's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nagibatel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kanaani has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nagibatel scores with a nice head shot.
Nagibatel lands a body shot.
Kanaani is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Kanaani closes the distance and clinches.

Kanaani breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A slow jab from Nagibatel misses its intended target.
Kanaani throws a combination. Nagibatel tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Lyoha Nagibatel has been cut.
Kanaani lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nagibatel circles away quickly and effectively.
Nagibatel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nagibatel throws a quick inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nagibatel lands a shoulder strike.
Kanaani blocks a body shot from Nagibatel.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nagibatel as Kanaani tries to tie him up.
Nagibatel gets underhooks to prevent Kanaani's takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kanaani - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nagibatel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kanaani's elbow.
Nagibatel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kanaani drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nagibatel pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nagibatel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kanaani has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nagibatel lands a right hook to the body.
Kanaani is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nagibatel blocks a jab.
Nagibatel has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nagibatel fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kanaani checks it well.

Kanaani gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kanaani has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nagibatel avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Nagibatel.
Nagibatel misses with the head strike.
Kanaani has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nagibatel avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoha Nagibatel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lyoha Nagibatel's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! 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.

Kanaani throws out a loose jab but Nagibatel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kanaani lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Nagibatel tries to keep at a distance but Kanaani has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nagibatel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nagibatel lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Kanaani lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Nagibatel moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Nagibatel tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kanaani throws an elbow that misses. Nagibatel uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kanaani's guard. Nice move by Nagibatel!

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nagibatel preventing the sweep.
Kanaani is trying to keep Nagibatel in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanaani lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nagibatel working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kanaani.
Nagibatel seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Mehdi Kanaani overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kanaani trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nagibatel pulls Kanaani in close to his closed guard and prevents Kanaani from doing any damage or advancing position.
Nagibatel tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nagibatel trying to control the position here.
Kanaani landing some decent shots from guard.
Nagibatel keeping moving, preventing Kanaani from controlling successfully.
Kanaani working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nagibatel managing to control the position.
Kanaani stands up over Nagibatel, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani throwing strikes but missing.
Kanaani trying to control the position from guard on top but Nagibatel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nagibatel working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kanaani.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nagibatel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nagibatel connects with a solid leg kick.
Kanaani tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kanaani lands with a hook. Nagibatel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kanaani fails with a takedown attempt.
Nagibatel with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nagibatel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kanaani keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani throws a body shot but no joy.
Nagibatel throws out a powerful jab.
Nagibatel lands a jab.
Nagibatel avoids the body shot from Kanaani.
Nagibatel blocks a jab.
Nagibatel throws a nice outside leg kick.
Lyoha Nagibatel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice defenses there by Kanaani.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nagibatel scores with a hook to the body. Kanaani takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nagibatel with a hook.
Kanaani lands a jab-cross combination.

Kanaani clinches up with Nagibatel and pushes him back against the cage.
Mehdi Kanaani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kanaani has Nagibatel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nagibatel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nagibatel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nagibatel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kanaani's elbow.
Kanaani lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A nice left hand lands by Nagibatel.
Nagibatel prevents a body shot from Kanaani.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mehdi Kanaani.
I think Nagibatel has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyoha Nagibatel!
A very excited looking Lyoha Nagibatel 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.