PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lars Eriksson (ranked 4769 p4p, 4004 weight class) and Nikola Nurmagomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Lars Eriksson has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Lars Eriksson seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Eriksson
vs
Nurmagomedov

225 cm
18
156
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lars Eriksson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nikola Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nurmagomedov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Eriksson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nurmagomedov.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagomedov pushes down on Eriksson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Nurmagomedov is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Eriksson reverses the position - he's now on top in Nurmagomedov's guard.

Nurmagomedov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Eriksson is aware though and is defending well.
Eriksson wants to control from the top but Nurmagomedov keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nurmagomedov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Eriksson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Eriksson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nurmagomedov is trying to keep Eriksson in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nurmagomedov holds on and takes a little breather.
Nurmagomedov is trying to control the position but Eriksson postures up.

Nurmagomedov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Eriksson has passed into half guard!
Eriksson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Eriksson wants to take a breather but Nurmagomedov is having none of it.
Eriksson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nurmagomedov is controlling Eriksson's trapped leg to prevent Eriksson from advancing to side control.
Nurmagomedov is trying to stand back up but Eriksson is controlling him
Nurmagomedov trying to control here.
Nurmagomedov is trying to get back to full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Nurmagomedov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Eriksson is working away from the top position though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Eriksson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eriksson trying to control the position.
Nurmagomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Eriksson is retaining full guard.

Nurmagomedov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nurmagomedov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nurmagomedov working some strikes from top position.
Nurmagomedov lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Eriksson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov wants to pass the guard but Eriksson is keeping the position.
Eriksson looking to control.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Eriksson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eriksson looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Nurmagomedov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Eriksson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nurmagomedov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Eriksson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nurmagomedov throws a big elbow that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Nurmagomedov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A big right from Nurmagomedov misses.
Eriksson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Eriksson connects with a jab.

Nurmagomedov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Eriksson's half guard.

Nurmagomedov wants to work for an arm triangle but Eriksson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nurmagomedov wants to control but Eriksson is keeping him busy.
Nurmagomedov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nurmagomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Eriksson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Eriksson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nurmagomedov scores with a couple of nice shots.

Eriksson is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov is looking for a kimura but Eriksson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Nurmagomedov to get the leverage.
Oh Eriksson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nurmagomedov in particular looking to stall.
Nurmagomedov working the head and body with strikes.
Nurmagomedov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Eriksson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Nurmagomedov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nurmagomedov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nurmagomedov lands a big elbow from half guard. That looks like it's hurt Eriksson quite badly. Eriksson pulls Nurmagomedov in close trying to recover. Nurmagomedov postures up and lands two really hard shots that put Eriksson on queer street! The ref takes a look and decides to call an end to the fight! Possibly an early stoppage but Eriksson doesn't seem to be complaining too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nikola Nurmagomedov!