PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 4201 p4p, 4297 weight class) and Cornathan Rodriguez Ii (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
Rodriguez Ii

185 cm
18
182
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
170
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jabib Nurmagomedov!
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, Cornathan Rodriguez Ii!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, John Roberts and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rodriguez Ii.
Rodriguez Ii trying to control the action but Nurmagomedov is working from the bottom.

Rodriguez Ii is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nurmagomedov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Rodriguez Ii thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez Ii wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nurmagomedov keeps working.
Rodriguez Ii has control of an arm but Nurmagomedov manages to advance to Rodriguez Ii's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez Ii tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Nurmagomedov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Rodriguez Ii?
Rodriguez Ii tries to hold on but Nurmagomedov postures up.
Rodriguez Ii wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Nurmagomedov.
Rodriguez Ii blocking the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagomedov working the ground and pound effectively.
Rodriguez Ii tries to hold on but Nurmagomedov pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Rodriguez Ii holds on, trying desperately to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodriguez Ii is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez Ii avoids a series of strikes thrown by Nurmagomedov.
Rodriguez Ii bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
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!
Nurmagomedov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodriguez Ii.
Rodriguez Ii postures up in Nurmagomedov's guard and throws a big left but Nurmagomedov blocks it.
Rodriguez Ii slips nicely into half guard.
Nurmagomedov trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Rodriguez Ii manages to pass to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez Ii thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Rodriguez Ii throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Nurmagomedov because Rodriguez Ii loaded up on that one.
Nurmagomedov is trying to escape the mount.
Rodriguez Ii avoids the attempt from Nurmagomedov to control.
Rodriguez Ii looking to ground and pound but Nurmagomedov is blocking nicely.
Rodriguez Ii avoids the attempt from Nurmagomedov to control.
Nurmagomedov wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Nurmagomedov tries to break free.

Rodriguez Ii is looking for the choke from the back position but Nurmagomedov is controlling his hands well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez Ii is riding his opponent, not letting Nurmagomedov buck him off.

Rodriguez Ii looking for the choke from the back.
Rodriguez Ii controlling from the back.
Nurmagomedov staying busy and making it hard for Rodriguez Ii to control.
Nurmagomedov tries to roll but Rodriguez Ii sticks to his back.
Nurmagomedov is working hard here to advance position.
Nurmagomedov avoids the strikes from Rodriguez Ii.
I would not like to be Nurmagomedov right now.
Rodriguez Ii has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nurmagomedov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cornathan Rodriguez Ii will probably get the nod.
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.

Nurmagomedov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rodriguez Ii momentarily.
Rodriguez Ii takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nurmagomedov misses the shot to the body.
Nurmagomedov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rodriguez Ii is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nurmagomedov, as that shot connected.
Rodriguez Ii darts in looking for a takedown but Nurmagomedov gets double underhooks and turns Rodriguez Ii into the cage.
Nurmagomedov connects with a crisp jab.
Nurmagomedov scores with a hook to the body. Rodriguez Ii takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nurmagomedov throws a looping overhand right but Rodriguez Ii ducks down to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov misses with a looping left.
Nurmagomedov lands a right hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Rodriguez Ii gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nurmagomedov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Rodriguez Ii jumps into guard, dragging Nurmagomedov to the mat.
Nurmagomedov postures up in Rodriguez Ii's guard and throws a big left but Rodriguez Ii blocks it.
Rodriguez Ii lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nurmagomedov trying to keep a closed guard but Rodriguez Ii is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez Ii trying to control but Nurmagomedov is working from the bottom.
Nurmagomedov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Nurmagomedov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nurmagomedov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rodriguez Ii slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov is not content to let Rodriguez Ii control the position.
Nurmagomedov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's two 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.
Rodriguez Ii works his way into full mount!
Nurmagomedov is just holding on here. Rodriguez Ii manages to take his back.
Rodriguez Ii biding his time, controlling Nurmagomedov.
Rodriguez Ii's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Nurmagomedov is really stuck here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is trying to stand back up.
Nurmagomedov rolls, trying to escape but Rodriguez Ii keeps control of the position.

Rodriguez Ii is persistently looking for the submission but Nurmagomedov is defending it well.
Nurmagomedov is trying to break free.
Rodriguez Ii trying to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position but Rodriguez Ii manages to sink in the hooks.
Cornathan Rodriguez Ii has got the better of the ground game so far.
Even with his hooks in, Rodriguez Ii manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Rodriguez Ii not allowing Nurmagomedov to control his hands.
You can see the frustration on Nurmagomedov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Nurmagomedov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rodriguez Ii on the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rodriguez Ii working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the action but Rodriguez Ii just sinks the hooks in.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Cornathan Rodriguez Ii will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Rodriguez Ii gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nurmagomedov.
Jabib Nurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nurmagomedov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Jabib Nurmagomedov is winning the standup battle so far.
Rodriguez Ii with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nurmagomedov to score with a decent uppercut.
Nurmagomedov tests Rodriguez Ii's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nurmagomedov throws a body punch but Rodriguez Ii moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rodriguez Ii's head backwards.
Rodriguez Ii avoids the body shot from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands a glancing blow to the side of Rodriguez Ii's head.
Rodriguez Ii shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rodriguez Ii uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rodriguez Ii manages to avoid it.
Despite the aggression on Rodriguez Ii's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nurmagomedov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rodriguez Ii is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nurmagomedov misses the shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodriguez Ii uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurmagomedov.
Rodriguez Ii moves out of range as Nurmagomedov strikes.
Despite the aggression on Rodriguez Ii's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rodriguez Ii manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov lands a nice shot to the body.
Nurmagomedov with a hook.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurmagomedov misses with an uppercut. Rodriguez Ii saw that one coming.
Nurmagomedov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rodriguez Ii takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nurmagomedov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rodriguez Ii can do to turn this around?
A jab lands there for Nurmagomedov.
Rodriguez Ii throws a head kick that half lands.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the side of Rodriguez Ii's head but Rodriguez Ii sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nurmagomedov throws a big shot that misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Nurmagomedov. That snapped Rodriguez Ii's head back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nurmagomedov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Rodriguez Ii fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nurmagomedov sprawls well initially but Rodriguez Ii persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nurmagomedov tries to roll over but Rodriguez Ii keeps him under control.
Rodriguez Ii passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Nurmagomedov!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Nurmagomedov tries to control Rodriguez Ii's body but Rodriguez Ii pushes him off. Nurmagomedov squirms to his side and now Rodriguez Ii has his back!

Nurmagomedov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Rodriguez Ii gets his way!
Nurmagomedov can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the action but Rodriguez Ii just sinks the hooks in.
Nurmagomedov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Nurmagomedov looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Will Rodriguez Ii go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Rodriguez Ii controlling the position well here. Nurmagomedov rolled but Rodriguez Ii kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

Nurmagomedov fending off the submission attempt from Rodriguez Ii.

That's four 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.
Rodriguez Ii controlling well, preventing Nurmagomedov from escaping the position.
Rodriguez Ii avoiding Nurmagomedov 's attempts to control his hands.

Rodriguez Ii is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Nurmagomedov is defending well though. Rodriguez Ii let's go of the attempt for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jabib Nurmagomedov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rodriguez Ii 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!