PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dong Labelle (ranked 4288 p4p, 5830 weight class) and Islam Nurmagomedov (ranked 505 p4p, 585 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Labelle
vs
Nurmagomedov

183 cm
25
170
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
177
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dong Labelle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Islam Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Ian Loll and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Labelle swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Labelle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Labelle throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nurmagomedov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Labelle definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Labelle shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Labelle scores with a four punch combination!
Nurmagomedov misses with a takedown
and Labelle counters with a one-two to the body.
Labelle shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Nurmagomedov eats them both and turns towards Labelle to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
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!
Both fighters circling a little - Nurmagomedov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Labelle throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nurmagomedov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Labelle counters with a two punch combo.
Dong Labelle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Islam Nurmagomedov.
Labelle scores with the left hand. Nurmagomedov knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Labelle misses with a few strikes there.
Labelle rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nurmagomedov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nurmagomedov throws a counter combo.
Nurmagomedov goes for a double leg but Labelle avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Labelle continues to drive forward.
Labelle scores with the left hand. Nurmagomedov knows he should have avoided that one.
Dong Labelle is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Labelle lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nurmagomedov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nurmagomedov thows a left - swing and a miss!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurmagomedov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nurmagomedov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Labelle counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nurmagomedov looks to land a right hand but Labelle moved out of range.
Labelle lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nurmagomedov fails with the takedown
and Labelle counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a leg kick
and Labelle counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Labelle throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Nurmagomedov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nurmagomedov fails with a takedown attempt.
Nurmagomedov looks winded!
Nurmagomedov walks into a stiff left hand from Labelle.
Labelle lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nurmagomedov at a distance.
Labelle throws a one two combo.
Nurmagomedov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Labelle cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov walks into a straight right hand from Labelle.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch up
and Labelle counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Labelle scores with a decent looking hook.
Nurmagomedov misses with a takedown attempt
and Nurmagomedov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice sprawl there from Labelle as Nurmagomedov shoots in.
Nurmagomedov misses with a takedown attempt
and Labelle counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Labelle swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Labelle throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nurmagomedov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Labelle lands with a right hand.
Labelle misses with a combination
and Nurmagomedov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Labelle thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurmagomedov shoots in looking for a takedown. Labelle tries to sprawl out of it but Nurmagomedov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Labelle manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Labelle seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Labelle throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov avoids them all with ease.
Labelle is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Labelle jabs Nurmagomedov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Labelle with a jab.
Labelle lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Labelle.
Nurmagomedov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Nurmagomedov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Labelle is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Labelle scores with a three punch combo!
Nurmagomedov fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurmagomedov with a poor takedown
and Labelle counters with a nice uppercut.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dong Labelle dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Labelle getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Labelle getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nurmagomedov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Labelle.
Labelle tries to bum rush Nurmagomedov with a series of wild strikes but Nurmagomedov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Labelle scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nurmagomedov doesn't seem bothered though.
Nurmagomedov throws a combination that misses
and Labelle counters with a series of strikes. Nurmagomedov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nurmagomedov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch but Labelle moves away
and Labelle counters with a series of strikes. Nurmagomedov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nurmagomedov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Labelle counters with a stiff right hand.
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!
Labelle misses with a double jab.
Nurmagomedov shoots and misses
and Labelle connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nurmagomedov is breathing heavily.
Labelle throws a series of strikes that have Nurmagomedov backpedaling.
Labelle misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Labelle lands a nice hook to Nurmagomedov's body. Nurmagomedov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Labelle throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Labelle looks to land a combination but Nurmagomedov avoids it well.
Nurmagomedov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Nurmagomedov misses with a takedown attempt
and Labelle counters with a three punch combo that has Nurmagomedov backing up. Nurmagomedov nods at Labelle to acknowledge the strikes.
Dong Labelle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Islam Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Labelle to score with a decent uppercut.
Labelle lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Labelle throws a nice looking combination but Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nurmagomedov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Labelle is fending him off so far but Nurmagomedov persists. Nope, Labelle circles away and we're back to standing.
Nurmagomedov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nurmagomedov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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!
Labelle connects with a looping right hand.
Labelle is working the combinations to good effect here.
Labelle displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Labelle misses with a wild combination.
Nurmagomedov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Labelle smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Labelle as he avoids it easily.
Labelle tests Nurmagomedov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nurmagomedov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Labelle.
Labelle throws a shot to the body.
Dong Labelle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Labelle scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Nurmagomedov might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Labelle has got the better of the exchanges.
Labelle moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Nurmagomedov shoots in looking for a takedown but Labelle manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nurmagomedov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Labelle is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nurmagomedov can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Labelle scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Labelle throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Labelle fails to land with a series of punches.
Nurmagomedov raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Nurmagomedov wants to clinch.
It looked like Labelle was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Labelle avoids the head kick by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Labelle circles away.
Nurmagomedov works Labelle's body with a nice hook.
Nurmagomedov moves in looking to clinch but Labelle pushes him off.
Labelle stalks Nurmagomedov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nurmagomedov's face. Nurmagomedov staggers backwards, shaken.
Labelle throws a one two combo.

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!
Danga de danga de dang - Labelle scores with a four punch combination!

Nurmagomedov is rocked!
Labelle scores with a decent looking hook.
Nurmagomedov is still on wobbly legs! Can Labelle finish him?
Nurmagomedov fails to land the takedown.
Nurmagomedov seems to have recovered his senses.
Labelle lands with an overhand left.
Nurmagomedov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Labelle finds it's way round the side to connect with Nurmagomedov's head.
Sloppy strikes from Labelle. Those never looked like landing.
Nurmagomedov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Labelle.
Labelle lands a jab-cross combination.
Some wild striking there from Labelle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurmagomedov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Labelle paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Labelle lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nurmagomedov circles away quickly and effectively.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dong Labelle dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Labelle slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A swing and a miss from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov fails with a takedown attempt.
As Nurmagomedov looks to move away, Labelle throws a big counter combo but Nurmagomedov just gets out of the way.
Nurmagomedov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Labelle counters with a stiff right hand.
Nurmagomedov wants to clinch.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice combination there by Labelle.
Labelle stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Labelle wants it to stay on the feet.
Dong Labelle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Islam Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Labelle will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Labelle displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Labelle lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Labelle lands a body shot.
Labelle stuffs the takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov gets slowly back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nurmagomedov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nurmagomedov fails with the takedown
letting Labelle counter with a right hand.
Labelle throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Labelle misses with a series of wild punches.
Nurmagomedov darts in looking for a takedown but Labelle gets double underhooks and turns Nurmagomedov into the cage.
Labelle cracks Nurmagomedov with a good jab.
Nurmagomedov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nurmagomedov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Labelle throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nurmagomedov on the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov is trying desperately to land a takedown but Labelle is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch up
and Labelle counters with a one-two to the body.
Nurmagomedov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Labelle will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Labelle throws a right and a left that Nurmagomedov avoids nicely.

Nurmagomedov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Labelle wants to get back to full guard.
Labelle is trying to maintain the position but Nurmagomedov is very close to passing his half guard.
Nurmagomedov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Labelle does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nurmagomedov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nurmagomedov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Labelle connects with a crisp jab.
Labelle cracks Nurmagomedov with an open hand slap.
Labelle fails to land with a series of punches.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Labelle shows good takedown defense.
Islam Nurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dong Labelle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A nice combination there by Labelle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dong Labelle showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Labelle, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:25
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:25
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dong Labelle!
Dong Labelle decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.