PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 4421 p4p, 4350 weight class) and Morten Hendriksen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Nurmagomedov
vs
Hendriksen

170 cm
18
162
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
165
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Morten Hendriksen!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crunch! Hendriksen slams his shin into Nurmagomedov's torso.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nurmagomedov or perhaps it was just good defense by Hendriksen, which made it look bad.
Nurmagomedov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Hendriksen lands with an uppercut that bounces Nurmagomedov off the cage and back into range.

It looks like Khabib Nurmagomedov has been cut.
Nurmagomedov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hendriksen was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nurmagomedov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hendriksen explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Nurmagomedov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nurmagomedov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nurmagomedov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hendriksen can pounce on him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hendriksen lets loose with a powerful body kick. Nurmagomedov will feel that in the morning.
Decent striking displayed by Hendriksen there.
Nurmagomedov misses with a hook. Hendriksen ducked under it nicely.
Hendriksen lands with a shot to the body.
Hendriksen throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendriksen with a nice calf kick.
Nurmagomedov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hendriksen tries to avoid it but Nurmagomedov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hendriksen to the ground. Hendriksen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hendriksen connects with a solid leg kick.
Hendriksen lands a front kick.
That kick from Hendriksen tenderised Nurmagomedov's leg. Nurmagomedov is trying to keep his angry face on.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hendriksen.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Hendriksen. Nurmagomedov shrugs it off though.
Nurmagomedov is breathing heavily.
Hendriksen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hendriksen works Nurmagomedov's body with a nice hook.
Hendriksen lands a front kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov ducks right into an uppercut from Hendriksen.
Nurmagomedov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nurmagomedov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hendriksen.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hendriksen!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hendriksen connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nurmagomedov takes one to the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hendriksen can pounce on him.
Hendriksen jabs Nurmagomedov right on the nose. Nurmagomedov blinks but takes it well.
Hendriksen lands a nice looking body kick.
Hendriksen scores with a leg kick.
Hendriksen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hendriksen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hendriksen scores with a kick to the body.
Hendriksen throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hendriksen scores with a kick to the body.
Hendriksen scores with a hook to the body. Nurmagomedov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Morten Hendriksen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendriksen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hendriksen throws a front kick that sends Nurmagomedov stumbling back into the cage.
A jab lands there for Hendriksen.
Hendriksen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nurmagomedov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nice body kick from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Nurmagomedov takes a jab right on the kisser.
A jab lands there for Hendriksen.
Nurmagomedov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hendriksen. Hendriksen obviously looking to wear him down.
Hendriksen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hendriksen scores with a spinning back kick!
Hendriksen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nurmagomedov's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hendriksen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hendriksen is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Nurmagomedov had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Nurmagomedov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hendriksen defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A solid body kick from Hendriksen.
Nurmagomedov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hendriksen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nurmagomedov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hendriksen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Nurmagomedov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hendriksen throws a front kick that sends Nurmagomedov stumbling back into the cage.
Hendriksen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nurmagomedov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Morten Hendriksen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Khabib Nurmagomedov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hendriksen feints and then cracks Nurmagomedov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nurmagomedov down.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hendriksen.
Hendriksen digs a good hook to Nurmagomedov's body.
Nurmagomedov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hendriksen. Hendriksen obviously looking to wear him down.
Good shot there by Hendriksen.
A left lands for Hendriksen.
Hendriksen slaps away a takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hendriksen lands with a kick to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hendriksen thuds his shin into the meat of Nurmagomedov's side.
Hendriksen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hendriksen.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hendriksen lands with a nice body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hendriksen scores with a shot to the body.
Nurmagomedov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hendriksen finds it's way round the side to connect with Nurmagomedov's head.
Nice cross by Hendriksen.
Hendriksen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hendriksen with the inside leg kick.
Hendriksen is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hendriksen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hendriksen slips a jab from Nurmagomedov.
Hendriksen connects with a body shot that sends Nurmagomedov's belly button to the back.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hendriksen.
Hendriksen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nurmagomedov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nurmagomedov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hendriksen lunges at Nurmagomedov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nurmagomedov's hand.
Nurmagomedov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hendriksen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! Hendriksen slams his shin into Nurmagomedov's torso.
Hendriksen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hendriksen connects with a crisp jab.
Hendriksen throws a good cross that connects.
Hendriksen lets loose with a powerful body kick. Nurmagomedov will feel that in the morning.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nurmagomedov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hendriksen - the referee stops the clock and Nurmagomedov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hendriksen. Nurmagomedov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nurmagomedov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hendriksen finds it's way round the side to connect with Nurmagomedov's head.
Nurmagomedov goes for a double leg but Hendriksen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hendriksen continues to drive forward.
Hendriksen lands a body punch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hendriksen.
Hendriksen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hendriksen lands an uppercut.
Hendriksen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hendriksen lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nurmagomedov or not.
Hendriksen misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Hendriksen.
A right handed body shot lands from Hendriksen.
Nurmagomedov wants to get back to striking at distance but Hendriksen won't allow it.
Nurmagomedov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nurmagomedov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A short uppercut from Hendriksen.
Nurmagomedov blocks a body shot from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hendriksen lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hendriksen digs a right hand into Nurmagomedov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nurmagomedov's gas tank.
Hendriksen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hendriksen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nurmagomedov can't break the clinch.
Hendriksen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nurmagomedov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hendriksen prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Still in the clinch, Hendriksen scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A hook to the body from Hendriksen.
Nurmagomedov is trying to break the clinch but Hendriksen is controlling him.
Good body shot from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen lands a body punch.
A right hand to the body from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hendriksen cracks Nurmagomedov with a nice body shot.
A short right from Hendriksen on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice left hand lands by Hendriksen.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Morten Hendriksen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Khabib Nurmagomedov'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. This is the final round!

Hendriksen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nurmagomedov shoots in and drives through. Hendriksen sprawls well.
Nurmagomedov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nurmagomedov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hendriksen throws a front kick that sends Nurmagomedov stumbling back into the cage.

Nurmagomedov rushes Hendriksen and presses him up against the cage.
Hendriksen pushes Nurmagomedov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hendriksen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Morten Hendriksen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hendriksen lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nurmagomedov or not.
Hendriksen scores with a nice hook to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hendriksen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hendriksen lands with a light punch inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Hendriksen.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hendriksen works on Nurmagomedov's body with a couple of short punches.
Hendriksen lands a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendriksen is leaning against Nurmagomedov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hendriksen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hendriksen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hendriksen scores with a shoulder strike.
Hendriksen gets through Nurmagomedov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hendriksen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hendriksen pushes Nurmagomedov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A right handed body shot lands from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen lands a shoulder strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen digs a right hand underneath Nurmagomedov's ribcage. Nurmagomedov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hendriksen lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hendriksen lands with a light punch inside.
A shot in the inside from Hendriksen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Hendriksen.
Hendriksen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hendriksen lands a shot to the body.
Hendriksen lands a left hand.
A short right from Hendriksen.
A short body shot lands from Hendriksen as the two fighters clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hendriksen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hendriksen lands with a left to the head.
Nice body punch from Hendriksen - that landed with a thud.
Hendriksen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
Hendriksen works on Nurmagomedov's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Hendriksen.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Nurmagomedov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Hendriksen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
Nurmagomedov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hendriksen is defending well.
Hendriksen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hendriksen lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nurmagomedov or not.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the head.
Hendriksen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nurmagomedov backwards.
Hendriksen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hendriksen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hendriksen scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hendriksen lands an uppercut.
Hendriksen lands a body punch.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hendriksen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nurmagomedov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nurmagomedov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hendriksen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short uppercut from Hendriksen.
Hendriksen scores with a hook to the body.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hendriksen cracks Nurmagomedov with a nice body shot.
Hendriksen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hendriksen.
A hook to the body from Hendriksen.
A left hand lands to the body for Hendriksen.
Morten Hendriksen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hendriksen pushes Nurmagomedov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Morten Hendriksen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hendriksen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 24:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 24:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Morten Hendriksen!