PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lyoha Nagibatel (ranked 1809 p4p, 1195 weight class) and Mehdi Kanaani (ranked 234 p4p, 164 weight class). Kanaani has chosen Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg - Nuthin' But A G Thang as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nagibatel
vs
Kanaani

180 cm
25
160
9 - 5 - 0

170 cm
25
170
12 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lyoha Nagibatel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mehdi Kanaani!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Felipe Paraventi and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kanaani blocks a leg kick.
Nagibatel lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kanaani on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nagibatel. Nagibatel obviously looking to wear him down.
Nagibatel swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A low kick from Nagibatel misses
and Kanaani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kanaani tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nagibatel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kanaani lands with a shot to the body.
Nagibatel lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nagibatel does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nagibatel throws a chopping leg kick but Kanaani manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nagibatel scores with a jab to the head.
An inside leg kick lands from Nagibatel.
Nagibatel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nagibatel throws a leg kick

and Kanaani moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A hook to the body from Kanaani.
Kanaani drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nagibatel gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nagibatel.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kanaani escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lyoha Nagibatel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nagibatel throws a leg kick but Kanaani sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kanaani misses with a body kick.
Kanaani shoots in looking for a takedown but Nagibatel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kanaani's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nagibatel looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
An inside leg kick from Nagibatel misses.
Kanaani with the counter takedown but Nagibatel avoids it easily.
Nagibatel scores with a leg kick.

Kanaani clinches up with Nagibatel and pushes him back against the cage.
Nagibatel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nagibatel throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kanaanis head.

Nagibatel breaks the clinch.
Nagibatel misses with a low kick.
Kanaani feints the counter takedown.
Kanaani tries to clinch up but Nagibatel circles away and keeps his distance.
Lyoha Nagibatel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kanaani.
Kanaani misses with a body shot.
Kanaani checks the leg kick nicely there.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kanaani or perhaps it was just good defense by Nagibatel, which made it look bad.
Lyoha Nagibatel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mehdi Kanaani.
Nagibatel throws a leg kick but Kanaani checks it.
Kanaani is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Nagibatel with a body shot.

Kanaani drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nagibatel holds on and takes a little breather.
Kanaani loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kanaani scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kanaani wants to control from the top but Nagibatel keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kanaani trying to control but Nagibatel is working from the bottom.
Nagibatel pulls Kanaani in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nagibatel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nagibatel throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kanaani.

Kanaani shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kanaani trying to control the position from guard on top but Nagibatel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kanaani landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani is looking to work some ground and pound but Nagibatel has wrist control.
Nagibatel trying to control the position here.
Kanaani wants to control from the top but Nagibatel keeps moving.
Nagibatel is pulling down on Kanaani's head to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kanaani accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kanaani chips away with some ground and pound.
Nagibatel is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
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 Lyoha Nagibatel will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kanaani blocks a leg kick.
Nagibatel attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kanaani appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Kanaani feints and as Nagibatel raises his hands in defense, Kanaani changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kanaani slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kanaani is looking to work some ground and pound but Nagibatel has wrist control.
Kanaani trying to control the position from guard on top but Nagibatel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kanaani throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanaani wants to control from the top but Nagibatel keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanaani chips away with some ground and pound.
Kanaani working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Kanaani moves into the clinch.
Kanaani pushes Nagibatel back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nagibatel.
Kanaani changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nagibatel fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kanaani avoids the body shot from Nagibatel.
Kanaani jabs Nagibatel right on the nose. Nagibatel blinks but takes it well.
Nagibatel tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Kanaani closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kanaani lands in his opponent's guard.
Nagibatel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani trying to control but Nagibatel is working from the bottom.
Kanaani throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kanaani trying to control the position from guard on top but Nagibatel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kanaani is in close to Nagibatel's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kanaani content to stall in guard here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kanaani loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Nagibatel throws a body shot but no joy.
A clash of legs there as Kanaani blocks the low kick.
Kanaani is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kanaani throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nagibatel scores with a leg kick.
Kanaani takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nagibatel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A nice leg kick from Nagibatel, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nagibatel tries a low kick but Kanaani avoids it.
Nagibatel's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kanaani connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Nagibatel scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani checks a leg kick.
Kanaani cracks Nagibatel with a right hand to the side of the 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.

Kanaani throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Nagibatel tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kanaani is in Nagibatel's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kanaani preventing the sweep.
Kanaani works over Nagibatel with some ground and pound from guard.
Kanaani throws a strike but Nagibatel rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Nagibatel stands up and waves to Kanaani to follow him.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nagibatel.
A leg kick checked by Kanaani.
Nagibatel scores with a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mehdi Kanaani showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nagibatel lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kanaani's sensitive parts.
Kanaani throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nagibatel throws a leg kick but Kanaani sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nagibatel swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kanaani counters with a nice uppercut.
Nagibatel motions for Kanaani to come forward. Nagibatel throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kanaani throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Nagibatel gets caught flat footed, as Kanaani shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nagibatel can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kanaani controls the pace.
Nagibatel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanaani is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kanaani has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kanaani throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanaani throws a big elbow that misses.
Nagibatel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kanaani throws a big right hand that misses.
Kanaani content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kanaani throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nagibatel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kanaani doesn't manage to clinch there - Nagibatel circles away.

Nagibatel gets caught flat footed, as Kanaani shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kanaani content to stall in guard here.
Kanaani trying to control but Nagibatel is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanaani with a nice head shot there.
Nagibatel trying to keep a closed guard but Kanaani is proving a slippery customer.
Kanaani in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kanaani throwing strikes from guard but Nagibatel blocks nicely.
Kanaani cracks Nagibatel with a solid left hand.
Nagibatel pulls Kanaani in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kanaani checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nagibatel throws a low kick but Kanaani avoids it.
Kanaani throws out a counter right but Nagibatel avoids it with no problem.

Kanaani has closed the distance and engaged Nagibatel in a clinch.
Kanaani is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nagibatel digs a right hand into Kanaani's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kanaani's gas tank.

Kanaani breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kanaani's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nagibatel tried to score with a low kick but Kanaani checks it.
Good standup being displayed there by Kanaani as he connects with a hook.
Kanaani tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nagibatel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kanaani shoots in for a double leg but Nagibatel sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nagibatel. Kanaani does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kanaani buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nagibatel misses with a leg kick
and Kanaani counters with a nice body shot.
Nagibatel throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel throws a chopping leg kick but Kanaani manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kanaani is looking to clinch but Nagibatel is avoiding it.
Nice body punch from Kanaani.
Kanaani shoots in for a takedown but Nagibatel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lyoha Nagibatel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mehdi Kanaani.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kanaani checks a leg kick.
Nagibatel is looking to chop away at Kanaani's legs.
Nagibatel misses with a low kick.
Nagibatel misses with a low kick.
Kanaani uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nagibatel.
Kanaani feints the counter takedown.
Nagibatel fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kanaani checks it well.
Nagibatel is looking to wear down Kanaani with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kanaani on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kanaani fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nagibatel sprawls well initially but Kanaani persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kanaani sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nagibatel defending well though.
Lyoha Nagibatel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mehdi Kanaani has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kanaani is looking to take a break and control but Nagibatel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mehdi Kanaani comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kanaani 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight for Mehdi Kanaani!
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for Mehdi Kanaani!
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight for Mehdi Kanaani!

Mehdi Kanaani wins by unanimous decision!
Mehdi Kanaani decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.