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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lyoha Nagibatel (ranked 87 p4p, 430 weight class) and Javier Martinez (ranked 11 p4p, 56 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 180 cm
33
194
22 - 13 - 1 |
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188 cm
33
200
34 - 3 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lyoha Nagibatel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Javier Martinez!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Chad Campbell and Steve Montenegro.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nagibatel misses with a low kick.
Martinez has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Martinez lands a lovely overhand right.
Nagibatel swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Martinez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nagibatel.
Martinez moves out of range of the body kick from Nagibatel.
Nagibatel ducks under a wild hook from Martinez.
Martinez fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Nagibatel to the ground. Martinez is now in Nagibatel's guard.
Martinez stops Nagibatel from standing up.
Martinez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagibatel is looking to stand up but Martinez isn't so interested in that idea.
Martinez is looking to work some ground and pound but Nagibatel has wrist control.
Martinez slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez throws a big right hand that misses.
Nagibatel can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Martinez controls the pace.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Martinez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nagibatel wants to stand but Martinez is controlling the position.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nagibatel fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Martinez is out of range.
Martinez moves out of range of the leg kick from Nagibatel.
Martinez checks a leg kick nicely.
Nagibatel looks to score with a jab to the body but Martinez is just out of range.
Martinez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nagibatel.
Martinez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel throws a low kick but it's checked well by Martinez.
Nagibatel throws a body kick that misses
and Martinez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Martinez.
Martinez throwing strikes but missing.
Martinez trying to control the position from guard on top but Nagibatel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Martinez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nagibatel keeping moving, preventing Martinez from controlling successfully.
Martinez prevents Nagibatel from getting back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Martinez trying to control the position from guard on top but Nagibatel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nagibatel gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Martinez to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Martinez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nagibatel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nagibatel kicks Martinez off and gets to his feet.
Martinez has closed the distance and engaged Nagibatel in a clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel misses with a punch to the body.
Martinez lands an elbow inside.
It looks like Lyoha Nagibatel has been cut.
Nagibatel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nagibatel throws a punch but it's blocked by Martinez.
Nagibatel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Martinez throws an elbow but it misses.
Nagibatel scores with a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Martinez stalling in the clinch but Nagibatel improves position.
Nagibatel has a couple of punches blocked by Martinez.
Nagibatel takes an elbow to the temple.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Martinez is looking to control Nagibatel's arms but Nagibatel gets an underhook and turns him. Now Martinez has his back to the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Martinez lands with a short shot to the head.
Nagibatel misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Javier Martinez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lyoha Nagibatel's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Martinez scores with a takedown into Nagibatel's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Martinez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nagibatel keeping moving, preventing Martinez from controlling successfully.
Nagibatel being controlled here, momentarily.
Nagibatel wants to stand up but Martinez is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are working up against the cage. Nagibatel manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Martinez just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nagibatel's brow.
Martinez has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Nagibatel clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Martinez just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Martinez missing with punches from the back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
I would not like to be Nagibatel right now.
Nagibatel is trying to stand back up.
Martinez misses with a punch to the head.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Martinez throwing wild punches that miss their target.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Martinez.
Martinez struggling to land strikes to the head as Nagibatel covers up.
Martinez is looking to control Nagibatel but Nagibatel is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martinez has his opponent's back but Nagibatel is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Martinez.
Nagibatel connects with an inside leg kick.
Nagibatel throws a leg kick that is checked
and Martinez counters by moving into the clinch.
Nagibatel blocks the elbow strike.
Martinez blocks an uppercut.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez blocks an uppercut.
Come on Martinez - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Martinez throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Martinez just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nagibatel's brow.
Martinez has clasped his hands together around Nagibatel's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Martinez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nagibatel keeps working.
Martinez working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Nagibatel is working to avoid the ground and pound but Martinez connects with a decent elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Martinez creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Nagibatel sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Nagibatel defending against the ground and pound.
Martinez lands a nice forearm strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Javier Martinez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Lyoha Nagibatel'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.
Nagibatel attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nagibatel goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nagibatel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Martinez.
Martinez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Nagibatel throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Nagibatel throws a nice inside leg kick.
Martinez looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Nagibatel!
Nagibatel throws Martinez to one side and escapes!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Martinez looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Nagibatel!
Nagibatel is trying to buck Martinez off.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez wants to control but Nagibatel is keeping him busy.
Nagibatel tries to escape but Martinez is in control.
An elbow from Martinez crashes against the mat.
Nagibatel is not content to let Martinez control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Martinez in side control, throwing shots but Nagibatel defends.
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.
The strikes coming from Martinez are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Javier Martinez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Martinez misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Martinez trying to control the action but Nagibatel is working from the bottom.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A low kick from Nagibatel is predictable there
and Martinez counters with a straight right hand.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Martinez crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nagibatel - the referee stops the clock and Martinez gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nagibatel. Martinez manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Martinez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Nagibatel to the mat! Nagibatel manages to get full guard.
The fighters are working up against the cage. Nagibatel manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Nagibatel lands a nice shot to the body.
Martinez looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Martinez looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Martinez lands a nice elbow.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Martinez throws an elbow but misses.
Nagibatel working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Martinez misses with an elbow strike.
Martinez is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nagibatel is keeping busy.
Martinez lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Nagibatel wants to stand back up but Martinez manages to pass into side control.
Nagibatel is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Martinez is controlling him well.
Martinez is looking to take a break and control but Nagibatel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel defending against the ground and pound.
Nagibatel is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Martinez is controlling him well.
Martinez is chipping away with strikes.
Nagibatel defending against the ground and pound.
Martinez is chipping away with strikes.
Martinez misses with the ground and pound.
Martinez grinds an elbow into Nagibatel's temple.
Martinez is looking to take a break and control but Nagibatel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Lyoha Nagibatel did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Lyoha Nagibatel's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Nagibatel tries to land a front kick but Martinez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Martinez wants to clinch.
Martinez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Martinez throws out a counter right but Nagibatel avoids it with no problem.
Nagibatel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nagibatel buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nagibatel misses with a body punch
and Martinez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagibatel pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A punch lands to the side of Nagibatel 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nagibatel is looking to wear down Martinez with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Martinez checks the leg kick nicely there.
Good exchange - Martinez coming out on top.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Good leg kick by Nagibatel.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nagibatel.
Martinez tests Nagibatel's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nagibatel lands with a thumping leg kick.
Martinez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Nagibatel napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Nagibatel sneaks out the side door and pushes Martinez away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Martinez has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nagibatel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nagibatel shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nice uppercut there from Martinez.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martinez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nagibatel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nagibatel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nagibatel throws a body punch but Martinez moves out of range.
Nagibatel fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Martinez is out of range.
The crowd cheers as Martinez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nagibatel doesn't seem phased though.
A jab lands there for Martinez.
An inside leg kick lands from Nagibatel.
Nagibatel throws a body shot but no joy.
Lyoha Nagibatel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nagibatel throws a front kick aimed at Martinez's knee but Martinez avoids it well.
Nagibatel looks to throw a body kick
and Martinez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Martinez bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nagibatel's head backwards.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Martinez.
Nagibatel blocks a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Nagibatel.
Martinez checks a leg kick.
Martinez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Martinez lands in his opponent's guard.
Martinez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nagibatel is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Martinez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Martinez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Martinez stops Nagibatel from standing up.
Martinez throwing strikes but missing.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Martinez.
Nagibatel tries to move into range but Martinez moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Lyoha Nagibatel is winning the standup battle so far.
Nagibatel misses with a body kick.
It seemed like Martinez was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Martinez dips to his left and cracks Nagibatel with an uppercut!
Martinez thuds his right hand into Nagibatel's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Javier Martinez dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Lyoha Nagibatel's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Martinez listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Martinez might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nagibatel throws a shot to the body.
Nagibatel on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Martinez catches Nagibatel with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nagibatel looks for the body kick but Martinez saw that one coming.
Nagibatel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Martinez.
Nagibatel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Martinez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nagibatel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nagibatel appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagibatel throws a wild body kick that Martinez sees coming a mile off.
Martinez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nagibatel shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nagibatel finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez throws a poor cross that misses
and Nagibatel counters with a good low kick that Martinez was not able to check.
Martinez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nagibatel.
Martinez wants to counter with a clinch but Nagibatel pushes him away.
Martinez checks the leg kick.
Nagibatel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Martinez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nagibatel. That's going to slow Martinez down.
Martinez tries to clinch up but Nagibatel circles away and keeps his distance.
Martinez 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.
Martinez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Martinez postures up in Nagibatel's guard and throws a big left but Nagibatel blocks it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel wants to stand and escape but Martinez is having none of it.
Martinez is looking to work some ground and pound but Nagibatel has wrist control.
Martinez prevents Nagibatel from getting back to his feet.
Martinez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nagibatel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Martinez throwing strikes but missing.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Nagibatel will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A little jabbing left from Martinez on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Martinez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nagibatel throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Martinez darts in and clinches Nagibatel up against the cage.
Martinez has hold of one of Nagibatel's legs. Nagibatel is fighting the takedown attempt but Martinez gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
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!
Martinez distracts Nagibatel with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez wants to control from the top but Nagibatel keeps moving.
Martinez is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Martinez won't allow Nagibatel to get back to his feet.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lyoha Nagibatel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nagibatel throws out a leg kick but Martinez moves out of range and Nagibatel only half commits.
A low kick from Nagibatel misses
and Martinez counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Nagibatel!
Martinez grinds an elbow into Nagibatel's temple.
Martinez scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Nagibatel to see if he's OK.
Lyoha Nagibatel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The referee asks Martinez politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Martinez prefers to stall for the moment though.
Martinez working the ground and pound from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Martinez lands some shots froms side control.
Martinez wants to control but Nagibatel is keeping him busy.
And that's the end of the fight!
Javier Martinez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Martinez 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 46:49
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Javier Martinez!
Javier Martinez is the new middleweight champion!
A victorious Javier Martinez thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
50% |
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