PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marco Natta (ranked 1568 p4p, 1724 weight class) and Kyril Mostakaev (ranked 141 p4p, 162 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Natta
vs
Mostakaev

170 cm
25
145
3 - 0 - 0

165 cm
25
153
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Primal
Phoenix Island

Primal
Island clothing lite

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marco Natta!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kyril Mostakaev!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Daniel Franklin and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mostakaev has managed to clinch.
Mostakaev's coach down at Cozad The Island was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Mostakaev's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Mostakaev fails to pull guard.
Mostakaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Natta jumps into guard, dragging Mostakaev to the mat.
Natta pulls Mostakaev in to control the position.

Mostakaev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Natta has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mostakaev has managed to get both his arms back between Natta's legs - danger averted.
Mostakaev trying to control but Natta is working from the bottom.

Natta looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mostakaev sitting in guard here, content to control.
Natta is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mostakaev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Natta swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Natta is looking for a triangle but Mostakaev pushes his legs off easily.
Natta is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Natta had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mostakaev defends it easily.
Mostakaev passes into half guard.

That's two 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.
Mostakaev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Natta knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Mostakaev frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Natta is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Mostakaev wants to take his opponent's back but Natta doesn't allow it.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mostakaev goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Natta turns into him and now he's in Mostakaev's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mostakaev isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Natta stacks Mostakaev on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Natta!
Natta working away.
Mostakaev sneaks back into half guard.
Natta definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Natta frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Natta tries to control but Mostakaev wriggling away.

Natta goes for an armbar but Mostakaev turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Mostakaev.
Natta keeping moving, preventing Mostakaev from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Natta is trying to hold Mostakaev in close to prevent damage but Mostakaev has managed to pass into half guard.
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 Marco Natta will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mostakaev staying out of range there.
Marco Natta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mostakaev instigates a clinch.
Mostakaev is trying to pull guard but Natta turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Mostakaev pulls guard.
Natta showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Mostakaev trying to control the position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Natta works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Natta is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mostakaev sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Natta is controlling the pace.
Natta is looking to take a break and control but Mostakaev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mostakaev is trying to control but Natta manages to pass to mount!
Mostakaev wants to hold on but Natta pushes him away.
Natta wants to control the pace but Mostakaev is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mostakaev wants to control but Natta is having none of it.
Mostakaev is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Natta with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Mostakaev tries to hold on but Natta postures up.
Natta looking to control but Mostakaev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mostakaev wants to control but Natta is having none of it.
Natta looking to take Mostakaev's back but Mostakaev rolls and after a scramble, Mostakaev ends up on top in guard. Nice escape there from Mostakaev to escape a tricky position.
Natta looking to control.
Mostakaev trying to control but Natta is working from the bottom.
Natta keeping full guard, as Mostakaev tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mostakaev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Natta not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mostakaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Natta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Natta looking to control but Mostakaev passes into half guard.

Mostakaev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Natta is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kyril Mostakaev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Natta circles away from the clinch attempt.

Mostakaev closes the distance and clinches.

Mostakaev has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Natta uses from the top position.
Natta passes Mostakaev's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Natta trying to control the action but Mostakaev is working from the bottom.

Natta seems to be looking for submissions.
Mostakaev is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mostakaev actively working from the bottom here.
Natta trying to pass the guard but Mostakaev defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mostakaev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Natta is working away from the top position though.
Natta is looking to take a break and control but Mostakaev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Mostakaev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mostakaev is positioning himself well to prevent Natta advancing to mount.
Marco Natta overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Natta seems to be working for a kimura but Mostakaev defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Mostakaev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Natta pulls his head out easily.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Natta is pressing down on Mostakaev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mostakaev is holding on for now.

Mostakaev is defending against the submission attempts here by Natta.
Natta wants to advance to full mount but Mostakaev doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mostakaev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Natta can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mostakaev is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Natta keeps the fight on the outside.
Mostakaev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mostakaev tries to clinch up but Natta circles away and keeps his distance.
Mostakaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Natta.
Mostakaev tries to clinch there but Natta circles away.
Mostakaev tries to clinch but Natta is having none of it.
Mostakaev is looking to clinch.
Natta swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A nice side step and Mostakaev releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Natta rushes Mostakaev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Natta jumps into guard, dragging Mostakaev to the mat.

Natta is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mostakaev defends well.
Natta is controlling Mostakaev's posture.
Mostakaev passes Natta's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Natta gets full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Natta clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Natta misses with a straight right.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A looping hook to the body misses from Natta. Mostakaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
A swing and a miss from Natta.
Mostakaev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Natta.

Mostakaev clinches up against the cage.

Natta pulls guard effortlessly.
Natta is adopting a defensive guard.
Mostakaev forces his way into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Natta is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Natta is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Natta makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Natta.
Mostakaev stands and throws Natta's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mostakaev content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Mostakaev is looking to take a break and control but Natta is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Natta is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mostakaev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mostakaev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Mostakaev has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Mostakaev with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mostakaev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Natta is looking to escape.
Mostakaev fails to take his opponent's back.
Mostakaev looking to control and managing it successfully.
Natta regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mostakaev is thwarting Natta's attempts to control the position.
Natta manages to get to full guard.
Natta trying to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mostakaev trying to control but Natta is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Kyril Mostakaev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Mostakaev tries to clinch up.

Natta closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mostakaev jumps guard but Natta turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Natta struggles to land a body shot inside as Mostakaev controls his hands.

Natta pulls guard effortlessly.
Mostakaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mostakaev is still trying to improve position.
Mostakaev wants to control from the top but Natta keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mostakaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Natta is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Natta keeping moving, preventing Mostakaev from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Natta misses with a looping left.
A big right from Natta misses.

Mostakaev rushes Natta and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mostakaev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Natta smiles and moves away.
Mostakaev slips under a jab.

Mostakaev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mostakaev is trying to pull guard but Natta has him pressed against the cage.
Marco Natta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyril Mostakaev.
Mostakaev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Natta smiles and moves away.
Natta throws a lazy right hand but Mostakaev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mostakaev! But no joy.

Mostakaev darts in and clinches Natta up against the cage.
Mostakaev blocks a body shot from Natta.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Natta fails to land.
Mostakaev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mostakaev jumps guard but Natta turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Natta tries a body shot but Mostakaev blocks it.
Natta misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kyril Mostakaev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Natta tries to work over Mostakaev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mostakaev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Natta smiles and moves away.

Mostakaev moves into the clinch.

Natta jumps into guard, dragging Mostakaev to the mat.
Natta keeping full guard, as Mostakaev tries to pass.
Natta trying to keep a closed guard but Mostakaev is proving a slippery customer.

Natta is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Mostakaev has his hands clasped together but Natta extends and breaks Mostakaev's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Natta.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Marco Natta!
Marco Natta retains his featherweight title!
An out of breath Marco Natta thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.