PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jian Zhao (ranked 841 p4p, 513 weight class) and Lyoha Nagibatel (ranked 105 p4p, 68 weight class). Zhao comes to the cage accompanied by GZA - Shadowboxin'. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Zhao
vs
Nagibatel

173 cm
23
155
9 - 3 - 1

180 cm
23
160
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Blaze Clothing
Altitude Clothing

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 9 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jian Zhao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lyoha Nagibatel!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice jab there from Nagibatel.
Nagibatel takes one on the button.
Nagibatel throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zhao blocks a jab.
Nagibatel throws a hook to the side of Zhao's head but Zhao sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nagibatel scores with a jab. Zhao acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nagibatel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zhao throws out the jab.
Zhao keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nagibatel.
Nagibatel walks into a straight right hand from Zhao.
Nagibatel looks to land a right hand but Zhao moved out of range.
The fighters circling - Nagibatel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zhao throws the kick towards the body but Nagibatel avoids it.
Lyoha Nagibatel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nagibatel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhao moves away.
Nagibatel throws a lazy right hand but Zhao sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zhao swings for the body but Nagibatel moves out of range.
Nagibatel throws a counter combo.
Zhao wants to slow Nagibatel down by chopping away at his legs.
Zhao looks to throw the jab but Nagibatel is out of range.
Nagibatel lands a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhao uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nagibatel.
Nagibatel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zhao checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Zhao bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nagibatel's head backwards.
We've been informed that Nagibatel 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.
Zhao throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
It seemed like Nagibatel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagibatel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zhao sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nagibatel lands a nice shot to the body.
Zhao ducks under a wild hook from Nagibatel.
A little feinted left hand from Zhao on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Zhao takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nagibatel. Zhao does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zhao swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zhao ducks under a wild hook from Nagibatel.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nagibatel.
Zhao throws a lazy right hand but Nagibatel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zhao throws a leg kick but Nagibatel checks it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zhao cracks Nagibatel with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Zhao doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nagibatel misses with a leg kick
and Zhao counters with a right hand to the body.
Nagibatel misses with a hook.
Zhao avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nagibatel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nagibatel. Zhao does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zhao avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhao has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nagibatel finds it's way round the side to connect with Zhao's head.
Nagibatel scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Zhao throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhao throws a jab but it's blocked by Nagibatel.
Nagibatel missing with a left hand there. Zhao was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zhao throwing a counter right hand but Nagibatel manages to avoid it.
Zhao throws a front kick that sends Nagibatel stumbling back into the cage.
Zhao misses with a looping right.
Zhao looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zhao thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nagibatel appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Nagibatel connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nagibatel darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nagibatel tries to score with a low kick but Zhao moves his leg out of the way.
Nagibatel misses with an uppercut.
Zhao throws a hook but Nagibatel blocks it.
Zhao with a nice cross.
Zhao tries to land a leg kick but Nagibatel saw it coming and moves away.
Nagibatel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zhao.
Nagibatel loads up on a big right hand but Zhao slips the punch.
Nagibatel throws a shot to the body.
Zhao avoids the body shot from Nagibatel.
It looked like Zhao wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Zhao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nagibatel manages to avoid it.
Nagibatel misses with a straight right.
Nagibatel checks a leg kick nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhao throws a solid leg kick but Nagibatel takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Zhao.
Zhao seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Nagibatel cracks Zhao with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A low kick from Nagibatel misses
and Zhao counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nagibatel connects with a leg kick.
Nagibatel connects with a leg kick.
Nagibatel misses with a hook. Zhao ducked under it nicely.
Nagibatel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhao misses with a head kick.
Nagibatel is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Zhao had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Nagibatel misses with a hook
and Zhao cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zhao throws a hook but Nagibatel blocks it.
Nagibatel throws a jab when Zhao was well out of range.
Zhao slips a jab from Nagibatel.
Zhao has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nagibatel finds it's way round the side to connect with Zhao's head.
Zhao blocks a leg kick.
Nagibatel thuds a left hand into Zhao's body.
Nagibatel wants to slow Zhao down by chopping away at his legs.
Zhao was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Zhao misses with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good shot there by Nagibatel.
Nagibatel cracks Zhao with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Zhao throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel digs a good hook to Zhao's body.
Zhao misses with a straight left.
Zhao scores with a shot to the body.
Nagibatel fails in his attempt to clinch.
As Nagibatel backs away, Zhao returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Zhao thumps Nagibatel with a low kick.
Nagibatel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zhao throws a shot from downtown. Nagibatel moves away and avoids it.
Nagibatel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nagibatel attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Donk. Zhao catches Nagibatel right on the button with a cross.
Nagibatel throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nagibatel slips a jab from Zhao.
Zhao connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Zhao misses with a low kick.
Zhao explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Nagibatel throws a leg kick but Zhao moved away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zhao throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nice defenses there by Nagibatel.
Zhao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nagibatel was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhao.
Nagibatel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zhao.
Nagibatel let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Zhao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nagibatel moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lyoha Nagibatel will probably get the nod.
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.

Nagibatel scores with a hook to the body. Zhao takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nagibatel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zhao.
Zhao takes a swing at Nagibatel's ribcage but misses.
Zhao's corner calls for a 1-2. Zhao obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Lyoha Nagibatel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zhao looks to land a right hand but Nagibatel moved out of range.
Nagibatel throws a leg kick that is checked
and Zhao cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nagibatel comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nagibatel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhao manages to avoid it.
Zhao on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nagibatel misses with a straight left.
Zhao slips a straight right by Nagibatel.
Zhao wants to land a leg kick but Nagibatel is out of range.
Nagibatel thuds a left hand into Zhao's body.
Zhao will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nagibatel misses with a looping right.
Nagibatel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A swing and a miss from Nagibatel.
Zhao takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nagibatel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zhao defending well as Nagibatel loads up on a big left hand.
Zhao quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Zhao takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhao scores with a shot to the body.
Nagibatel swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nagibatel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zhao sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Zhao on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nagibatel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zhao throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nagibatel stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nagibatel throws a front kick that sends Zhao stumbling back into the cage.
Zhao throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nagibatel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nagibatel misses with a lunging right hand
and Zhao counters with a nice uppercut.
Zhao throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Zhao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nagibatel manages to avoid it.
Nagibatel finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Zhao throws an overhand right that lands on Nagibatel's shoulder, as Nagibatel tries to avoid the shot.
Zhao scores with a jab. Nagibatel acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zhao swings for the body but Nagibatel moves out of range.
Zhao stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nagibatel.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A swing and a miss from Nagibatel.
Zhao moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nagibatel misses with a low kick.
Nagibatel throws an off balance right hand
and Zhao counters with a solid body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Nagibatel coming out on top.
Nagibatel has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Zhao.
Nagibatel slips under a jab.
Zhao jabs at Nagibatel's body.
A jab from Zhao misses.
Nagibatel walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zhao checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nagibatel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zhao is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nagibatel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhao manages to avoid it.
Nagibatel looks to land a left hand but Zhao moved out of range nicely.
Nagibatel attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Zhao slips under a jab from Nagibatel.
Nagibatel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nagibatel walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zhao checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nagibatel misses with a hook.
Nagibatel on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zhao swats away the attempt to clinch by Nagibatel.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zhao.
A clash of legs there as Nagibatel blocks the low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhao throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A countering left hand to the body from Nagibatel misses.
Zhao circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zhao tries to score with a low kick but Nagibatel moves his leg out of the way.
Nagibatel throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nagibatel gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Zhao just misses with a punch to the body.
Zhao throws a half hearted mid kick.
Zhao misses the jab.
Nagibatel swings widly with a right hand
and Zhao counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zhao defending well as Nagibatel loads up on a big left hand.
Zhao chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nagibatel can pounce on him.
Nagibatel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zhao.
Zhao thuds his right hand into Nagibatel's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Zhao walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nagibatel has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zhao.
Nagibatel misses with a leg kick
letting Zhao counter with a right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zhao connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nagibatel throws a looping overhand right but Zhao ducks down to avoid it.
Nagibatel throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nagibatel is looking to score with low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel tries to close the distance and clinch but Zhao swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nagibatel has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zhao misses with a looping left.
Nagibatel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zhao keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nagibatel throws a hook to the side of Zhao's head but Zhao sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zhao scores with a kick to the midsection.
Zhao throws a low kick, looking for Nagibatel's leg but Nagibatel calmly moves out of range.
Nagibatel misses the shot to the body.
Zhao misses with a hook.
Nagibatel walks into a straight right hand from Zhao.
Nagibatel avoids the body shot from Zhao.
Nagibatel throws a hook to the side of Zhao's head but Zhao sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nagibatel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zhao on the side of the head.
Jab from Nagibatel.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nagibatel throws an overhand right that lands on Zhao's shoulder, as Zhao tries to avoid the shot.
Nagibatel takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nagibatel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nagibatel throws the left hand but Zhao avoids the punch easily.
Nagibatel checks a leg kick nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jian Zhao will probably get the nod.
That's time! Zhao's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nagibatel throws a good cross that connects.
Zhao on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhao misses the target.
Nagibatel loads up on a big right hand but Zhao slips the punch.
Nagibatel fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Zhao is out of range.
Nagibatel takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Zhao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nagibatel was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhao.
Nagibatel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nagibatel fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Zhao is out of range.
Nice body kick there by Nagibatel.
Nagibatel connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Zhao momentarily.
Nagibatel takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Zhao connects with a solid leg kick.
Crunch! Nagibatel slams his shin into Zhao's torso.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nagibatel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhao manages to avoid it.
Zhao works Nagibatel's body with a nice hook.
Nagibatel swinging wildly here.
Zhao moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Zhao.
Zhao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nagibatel was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhao.
As Zhao backs off Nagibatel throws a huge counter combo but Zhao manages to avoid it all.
Nagibatel misses with a body shot.
Nagibatel connects with a leg kick.
Nagibatel misses the shot to the body.
Nagibatel throws a head kick that misses.
Nagibatel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhao moves away.
Zhao lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zhao ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A thudding body kick lands there by Zhao!
Nagibatel on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Zhao looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Zhao avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zhao with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nagibatel to score with a decent uppercut.
Zhao goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zhao goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nagibatel thows a left - swing and a miss!
A solid body kick from Nagibatel.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhao scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nagibatel in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel throws a low kick, looking for Zhao's leg but Zhao calmly moves out of range.
Nagibatel slips under a jab.
Zhao pushes Nagibatel away with a front kick.
Zhao slips under a jab.
Zhao throws a push kick but Nagibatel slaps the foot to one side.
Nagibatel connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zhao. Zhao circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nagibatel tries to work over Zhao's front leg with a kick but Zhao checks it.
Zhao pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zhao lands a nice shot that snaps Nagibatel's head back.
Zhao misses with a looping left.
Zhao slips a straight right by Nagibatel.
Nagibatel loads up on a big right hand but Zhao slips the punch.
Zhao checks a leg kick.
A jab from Nagibatel misses.
Zhao thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nagibatel flicks out a counter leg kick but Zhao steps away.
Nagibatel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zhao scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Zhao takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Zhao swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel throws a body punch but Zhao moves out of range.
Nagibatel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nagibatel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zhao.
Zhao misses with a kick to the body.
Nagibatel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhao was well out of range. Poor timing from Nagibatel.
Zhao misses with an uppercut. Nagibatel saw that one coming.
Nagibatel moves out of range of the strikes.
Nagibatel lands a nice hook to Zhao's body. Zhao takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A jab from Nagibatel misses.
Zhao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nagibatel was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhao.
A telegraphed right hand from Nagibatel misses the target.
Nagibatel misses with a wild body shot.
Nagibatel walks into a left hand.
Nagibatel connects with a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Zhao.
Zhao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nagibatel lands a leg kick that knocks Zhao off balance momentarily.
Zhao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nagibatel.
Nagibatel bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhao misses the target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A slow jab from Zhao misses its intended target.
Nagibatel feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Zhaos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Zhao lands with a hook. Nagibatel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zhao swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nagibatel replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Zhao blocks it well.
Zhao is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nagibatel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhao.
Nagibatel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zhao throws the left hand but Nagibatel avoids the punch easily.
Zhao looks to score with a jab to the body but Nagibatel is just out of range.
Nagibatel checks a low kick from Zhao.
Nagibatel defending well as Zhao loads up on a big left hand.
Zhao thows a left - swing and a miss!
A telegraphed right hand from Nagibatel misses the target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nagibatel tries to clinch but Zhao is having none of it.
A lazy left from Zhao finds it's target.
Nagibatel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zhao.
Zhao throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nagibatel sees it coming and avoids it easily.

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 Jian Zhao.
Well Zhao 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jian Zhao!
After winning the bout, Jian Zhao thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.