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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 331 p4p, 460 weight class) and Cesare Borgia (ranked 44 p4p, 72 weight class). Nurmagomedov comes to the cage accompanied by Dagestan (Remix). Borgia has chosen Eye Of The Tiger as his entrance music. Cesare Borgia told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!
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| 178 cm
34
185
21 - 4 - 0 |
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175 cm
24
178
10 - 2 - 0 |
Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cesare Borgia!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov swings for the body but Borgia moves out of range.
Borgia throws a body shot but no joy.
Nurmagomedov goes for a double leg but Borgia avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Borgia continues to drive forward.
Nice body punch from Nurmagomedov - that landed with a thud.
Borgia is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nurmagomedov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nurmagomedov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nurmagomedov tries to work over Borgia's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Borgia has Nurmagomedov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nurmagomedov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nurmagomedov can't find room to land a body shot as Borgia controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice left hand lands by Nurmagomedov.
Borgia blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Borgia is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nurmagomedov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cesare Borgia.
Borgia has Nurmagomedov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Borgia pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Nurmagomedov tumbling to the mat - Borgia dives into Nurmagomedov's guard.
Nurmagomedov looking for a sweep. Not yet Nurmagomedov, not yet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgia working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Borgia loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Borgia works over Nurmagomedov with some ground and pound from guard.
Borgia cracks Nurmagomedov with a solid left hand.
Borgia controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Borgia postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Borgia accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Borgia wants to control from the top but Nurmagomedov keeps moving.
Nurmagomedov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Borgia.
Nurmagomedov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borgia trying to control but Nurmagomedov is working from the bottom.
Borgia lands a couple of elbows.
Borgia with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Borgia throws a strike but Nurmagomedov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Borgia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nurmagomedov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nurmagomedov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Borgia holds on and takes a little breather.
Borgia being controlled here, momentarily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Borgia looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Borgia looking to control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Borgia looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Borgia is looking to sweep but instead, Nurmagomedov has passed into half guard.
Borgia trying to hold on to Nurmagomedov's head to control him but Nurmagomedov postures up.
Borgia is trying to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov controlling the action here.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nurmagomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Cesare Borgia will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Borgia cracks Nurmagomedov with an open hand slap.
Nurmagomedov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nurmagomedov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Borgia tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nurmagomedov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Nurmagomedov duly obliges.
Borgia lands a right hook to the body.
Borgia throws an off balance right hand
and Nurmagomedov counters with a stiff right hand.
Borgia missing with a left hand there. Nurmagomedov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nurmagomedov throws a body punch but Borgia moves out of range.
Borgia takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nurmagomedov throws a shot from downtown. Borgia moves away and avoids it.
Nurmagomedov just misses with a punch to the body.
Borgia throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nurmagomedov on the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgia tests Nurmagomedov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Borgia lands a glancing blow to the side of Nurmagomedov's head.
Nurmagomedov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Borgia to the mat! Borgia manages to get full guard.
Borgia is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Borgia throwing shots but Nurmagomedov is blocking nicely.
Borgia throws a strike but Nurmagomedov avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Borgia throws a strike but Nurmagomedov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Borgia keeping full guard, as Nurmagomedov tries to pass.
Nurmagomedov won't allow Borgia to sweep him here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Borgia wants to control but Nurmagomedov passes easily into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurmagomedov controlling the action here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borgia wants to improve his position but Nurmagomedov is controlling well.
Nurmagomedov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Borgia wants to improve his position but Nurmagomedov is controlling well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nurmagomedov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Nurmagomedov moves into full mount! Borgia won't be happy about that!
Borgia is trying to escape the mount.
Khabib Nurmagomedov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Nurmagomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurmagomedov scores with a jab.
Borgia shoots in looking for a takedown but Nurmagomedov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Borgia's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Borgia uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurmagomedov.
Borgia takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Borgia lands a glancing blow to the side of Nurmagomedov's head.
Nurmagomedov throws a series of punches but Borgia avoids them all with ease.
Borgia appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Nurmagomedov digs a good body shot into Borgia's ribs.
Nurmagomedov throws the left hand but Borgia avoids the punch easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Borgia! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab lands there for Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov misses with a few strikes there.
Borgia misses with a looping left.
Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nurmagomedov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov prevents Borgia from improving his position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Further stalling from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov tries to pass to full mount but Borgia defends it.
Nurmagomedov prevents Borgia from improving his position.
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.
Borgia wants to control but Nurmagomedov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Borgia 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 trying to control the pace.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is winning the standup battle so far.
Borgia swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Borgia shoots in for a double leg but Nurmagomedov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter by clinching up but Borgia breaks away and moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov is looking to wear down Borgia with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Borgia keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Borgia throws a right hand that misses
and Nurmagomedov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Borgia thinking.
Nurmagomedov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Borgia can do to turn this around?
Borgia looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Borgia shoots in but no luck this time.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cesare Borgia.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurmagomedov. Borgia does a little dance to reset his feet.
Borgia looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Borgia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nurmagomedov lands with an uppercut that bounces Borgia off the cage and back into range.
Nurmagomedov throws a looping overhand right but Borgia ducks down to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov swings for the body but Borgia moves out of range.
Borgia looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nurmagomedov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Borgia!
Borgia is looking for a sweep.
Borgia is not content to let Nurmagomedov control the position.
Borgia is trying to work for a sweep but Nurmagomedov has mounted him!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Nurmagomedov is stinking the place up with his stalling.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Borgia can't escape the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Khabib Nurmagomedov clearly takes that round.
That's time! Nurmagomedov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Nurmagomedov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nurmagomedov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Borgia counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nurmagomedov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A left and a right from Nurmagomedov both land. Nice combination.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Borgia.
Borgia misses with a body shot.
A counter left hand to the body from Nurmagomedov misses its target.
Borgia missing with a left hand there. Nurmagomedov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Borgia throws a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov jabs Borgia to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Borgia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurmagomedov moves away.
Nurmagomedov lands with a good body shot.
Nurmagomedov throws a lazy uppercut
and Borgia decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nurmagomedov's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgia loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Borgia trying to control but Nurmagomedov is working from the bottom.
Borgia with a flurry of punches that miss.
Borgia trying to control but Nurmagomedov is working from the bottom.
Borgia loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice hook to Borgia's body. Borgia takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Borgia throws an overhand right that lands on Nurmagomedov's shoulder, as Nurmagomedov tries to avoid the shot.
Borgia keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nurmagomedov throws a looping overhand right but Borgia ducks down to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov cracks Borgia with a good jab.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot.
Nurmagomedov misses the shot to the body.
Borgia doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A left lands for Borgia.
The fighters circling - Nurmagomedov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Borgia swings widly with a right hand
and Nurmagomedov counters with a nice uppercut.
Borgia scores with a nice head shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nurmagomedov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nurmagomedov swings for the body but Borgia moves out of range.
Borgia ducks under a wild hook from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov punishes Borgia's body with a nice straight punch.
Borgia fails with a takedown attempt.
Nurmagomedov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot.
A nice side step and Borgia releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Nurmagomedov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Borgia doesn't seem bothered though.
Borgia throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Borgia cracks Nurmagomedov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A swing and a miss from Nurmagomedov.
Jab from Nurmagomedov.
Borgia with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nurmagomedov to score with a decent uppercut.
Borgia lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurmagomedov shoots for a takedown but Borgia saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nurmagomedov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nurmagomedov takes a swing at Borgia's ribcage but misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Khabib Nurmagomedov had his way with Cesare Borgia in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Nurmagomedov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Borgia connects with a looping right hand.
Nurmagomedov throws a body punch but Borgia moves out of range.
Borgia uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Borgia looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Borgia manages to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov takes a swing at Borgia's ribcage but misses.
Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Borgia's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borgia scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Nurmagomedov throws Borgia to one side and escapes!
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!
Nurmagomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It seemed like Borgia was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nurmagomedov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Borgia moves away.
Borgia is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurmagomedov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Borgia was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurmagomedov.
Borgia drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Nurmagomedov defends it well.
Borgia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And Borgia tries to counter it with a takedown but Nurmagomedov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nurmagomedov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nurmagomedov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Borgia lands a really nice looking cross but Nurmagomedov seems unphased.
Nurmagomedov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch up.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot.
Nurmagomedov tries to bum rush Borgia with a series of wild strikes but Borgia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Borgia tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Borgia swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
It looked like Nurmagomedov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Borgia.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Borgia misses with a hook.
Borgia fails with the takedown.
Borgia uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov loads up on a big right hand but Borgia slips the punch.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Borgia.
Nurmagomedov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurmagomedov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Borgia counters with a stiff right hand.
Borgia throws a lazy right hand but Nurmagomedov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nurmagomedov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Nurmagomedov lands with a good body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Borgia circles away from the clinch attempt
and Borgia counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cesare Borgia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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.
Borgia is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nurmagomedov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nurmagomedov's back!
Khabib Nurmagomedov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nurmagomedov covering up well and avoiding damage.
Borgia trying to control.
Borgia scores with punches from the back.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov covering up well and avoiding damage.
Borgia patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurmagomedov just trying to survive but Borgia is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Borgia looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Nurmagomedov is controlling Borgia 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Nurmagomedov advances position into side control!
And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagomedov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nurmagomedov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 49:46
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 49:46
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagomedov!
Khabib Nurmagomedov retains his welterweight title!
Our winner, Khabib Nurmagomedov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
45% |
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