PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bofur Widenose (ranked 126 p4p, 259 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 18 p4p, 34 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Widenose
vs
Nurmagomedov

150 cm
30
185
23 - 9 - 1

178 cm
43
198
31 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Conviction
Shadow Realm Apparel

NARCOS
Senshi Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bofur Widenose!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov just misses with a punch to the body.
Widenose throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nurmagomedov's waist but Nurmagomedov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Widenose off to one side.
We've been informed that Nurmagomedov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Widenose darts in and clinches Nurmagomedov up against the cage.
Nurmagomedov prevents the takedown attempt.

Widenose jumps into guard, dragging Nurmagomedov to the mat.
Widenose wants to hit a sweep here but Nurmagomedov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Widenose there!
Nurmagomedov controlling the position easily from mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Widenose is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Widenose is trying to escape the mount.
Nurmagomedov controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Widenose is trying to escape the mount.
Nurmagomedov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Widenose is squirming around, avoiding Nurmagomedov's attempts to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagomedov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Widenose really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov controlling the position easily from mount.
Widenose is trying to escape the mount.

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.
Nurmagomedov controlling his opponent.
Widenose tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov controlling the position easily from mount.
Let's hope that Nurmagomedov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nurmagomedov takes the fight into the clinch.
Widenose is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nurmagomedov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nurmagomedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Widenose drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nurmagomedov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nurmagomedov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nurmagomedov throws an overhand right that lands on Widenose's shoulder, as Widenose tries to avoid the shot.
Widenose tries to counter with a takedown but Nurmagomedov is quick to defend against it.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Widenose half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Widenose takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Widenose takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook but Widenose avoids it easily.
Nurmagomedov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Widenose looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nurmagomedov stalling in the clinch.
Widenose wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bofur Widenose. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Widenose takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Widenose tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nurmagomedov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Widenose is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nurmagomedov pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Widenose ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Widenose no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Widenose seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Widenose working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nurmagomedov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nurmagomedov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Nurmagomedov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Widenose has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nurmagomedov has managed to get both his arms back between Widenose's legs - danger averted.
Nurmagomedov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Widenose looking for a guillotine here but Nurmagomedov defends easily.
Nurmagomedov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Nurmagomedov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Widenose keeping moving, preventing Nurmagomedov from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nurmagomedov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nurmagomedov misses with a wild body shot.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot.
Widenose feinted with a counter takedown.
Nurmagomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Widenose takes a jab right on the kisser.
Widenose tries to clinch but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurmagomedov. Widenose does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Widenose or perhaps it was just good defense by Nurmagomedov, which made it look bad.
Nice uppercut there from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body shot.
Widenose stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Widenose wants it to stay on the feet.
Nurmagomedov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Widenose shoots in looking for a takedown but Nurmagomedov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Widenose's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nurmagomedov lands a right hook to the body.
Nurmagomedov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Widenose rather than just go for the knockout.
Widenose on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nurmagomedov throws a right and a left that Widenose avoids nicely.
Widenose half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nurmagomedov stuns Widenose with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nurmagomedov misses with a wild body shot.
Left hook, right uppercut from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Widenose counters with a single leg into guard. Nurmagomedov didn't expect that.
Widenose wants to pass the guard but Nurmagomedov is keeping the position.

Widenose drops back, looking for a kneebar! Nurmagomedov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Nurmagomedov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Nurmagomedov!

Nurmagomedov takes a little break here. Widenose wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Widenose is looking for a sweep.
Widenose seems a little lost for a moment, as Nurmagomedov dominates the positioning.
Widenose gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Nurmagomedov is controlling the pace.
Nurmagomedov prevents Widenose from improving his position.

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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmagomedov is controlling the pace.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Widenose is trying to control but can't.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Widenose tries to get to full guard but Nurmagomedov has control of the leg.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice shot by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Widenose shows good takedown defense.
Nurmagomedov shoots in looking for a takedown. Widenose tries to sprawl out of it but Nurmagomedov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Widenose manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Widenose half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bofur Widenose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Widenose avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nurmagomedov throws a lazy right hand but Widenose sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nurmagomedov throws a jab when Widenose was well out of range.
Widenose feinted with a counter takedown.
Nurmagomedov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Widenose moves out of range as Nurmagomedov strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurmagomedov. Widenose does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nurmagomedov misses with an uppercut. Widenose saw that one coming.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Widenose doesn't manage to clinch there - Nurmagomedov circles away.
Nurmagomedov is looking for the big counter here.
Widenose moves out of range of the strikes.
Widenose tries to counter with a takedown but Nurmagomedov is quick to defend against it.
Bofur Widenose has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice sprawl there from Widenose as Nurmagomedov shoots in.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagomedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nurmagomedov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagomedov!
Khabib Nurmagomedov thanked the fans post fight for their support.