PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 134 p4p, 235 weight class) and Rockwell Mcgee (ranked 20 p4p, 33 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Mcgee's choice of entrance music: No More Hot Dogs. Khabib Nurmagomedov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nurmagomedov
vs
Mcgee

170 cm
28
162
15 - 8 - 0

186 cm
33
161
21 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)
NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rockwell Mcgee!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mcgee tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Mcgee.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a takedown but Mcgee is quick to defend against it.
Mcgee staying out of range there.
Mcgee connects with a jab.
Mcgee throws a big shot that misses.
Nurmagomedov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mcgee slips under a jab from Nurmagomedov.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nurmagomedov or perhaps it was just good defense by Mcgee, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcgee fails to land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mcgee. Nurmagomedov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov takes one to the chin there.
We've been hearing reports that Nurmagomedov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Mcgee scores with a jab to the head.

It looks like Khabib Nurmagomedov has been cut.
Mcgee pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov jabs Mcgee right on the nose. Mcgee blinks but takes it well.

It looks like Rockwell Mcgee has been cut.
Nurmagomedov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mcgee slaps away a takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov misses with a takedown attempt
and Mcgee counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Mcgee fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Nurmagomedov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nurmagomedov lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mcgee is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nurmagomedov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mcgee's head.
Nurmagomedov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Mcgee has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Nurmagomedov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Mcgee pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mcgee misses with a few strikes there.
Mcgee is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nurmagomedov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mcgee counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nurmagomedov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mcgee swivels and escapes.
Mcgee avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mcgee goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nurmagomedov wants to clinch but Mcgee slips to the side
and Mcgee counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice sprawl there from Mcgee as Nurmagomedov shoots in.
Mcgee let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov closes the distance and clinches.
Nurmagomedov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nurmagomedov tries to work over Mcgee's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Mcgee pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mcgee works Nurmagomedov's body with a nice hook.
Nurmagomedov walks into a left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch there but Mcgee circles away.
Mcgee doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Mcgee lands a glancing blow to the side of Nurmagomedov's head.
Nurmagomedov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mcgee.
Nurmagomedov throws an overhand right that lands on Mcgee's shoulder, as Mcgee tries to avoid the shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rockwell Mcgee dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mcgee misses with a two punch combination.

Nurmagomedov gets a clinch.
Mcgee has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Mcgee pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nurmagomedov shoots in and drives through. Mcgee sprawls well.
Mcgee misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
It looked like Nurmagomedov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
That kick from Mcgee tenderised Nurmagomedov's leg. Nurmagomedov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nurmagomedov scores with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mcgee fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
An attempted straight right counter from Nurmagomedov misses the target.
Nurmagomedov is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Mcgee's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mcgee.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mcgee! But no joy.
Mcgee will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Mcgee shows good takedown defense.
Mcgee shapes to counter with a head kick.
Mcgee throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nurmagomedov counters with a straight right hand.
Nurmagomedov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Mcgee cracks Nurmagomedov with an open hand slap.
Rockwell Mcgee is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mcgee jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nurmagomedov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcgee moves out of range as Nurmagomedov strikes.
Mcgee lands a jab.
Mcgee uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nurmagomedov.
Mcgee follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Mcgee throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mcgee jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mcgee lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mcgee lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nurmagomedov's sensitive parts.
Nurmagomedov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgee just misses with a punch to the body.
Mcgee scores with a body shot.
Mcgee throws a sloppy body shot
and Nurmagomedov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mcgee looks to land a combination but Nurmagomedov avoids it well.
Mcgee takes a swing at Nurmagomedov's ribcage but misses.
Mcgee jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nurmagomedov is looking to counter punch.
A swing and a miss from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is looking to clinch but Mcgee is avoiding it.
Mcgee scores with a jab. Nurmagomedov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nurmagomedov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice takedown defense from Mcgee. No joy for Nurmagomedov on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mcgee stalks Nurmagomedov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nurmagomedov's face. Nurmagomedov staggers backwards, shaken.
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!
Mcgee misses with a looping left.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch but Mcgee moves away
and Mcgee counters with a stiff right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nurmagomedov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A nice side step and Mcgee releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rockwell Mcgee showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nurmagomedov connects with the punch.
Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A quick step to the side and Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurmagomedov lands a head shot.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mcgee.
Rockwell Mcgee seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mcgee displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov tries for a takedown but Mcgee circles away easily
and Mcgee counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nurmagomedov avoids the head kick by Mcgee.
Nurmagomedov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Mcgee misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
Mcgee throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mcgee counters with a crisp one two that drops Nurmagomedov! Mcgee thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Nurmagomedov to his feet! Nurmagomedov is in big trouble!

Nurmagomedov is rocked!
Nurmagomedov wants to clinch up but Mcgee keeps it at a distance.
Mcgee throws a head kick that half lands.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mcgee has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Mcgee. Those never looked like landing.
Mcgee moves away from the strike by Nurmagomedov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurmagomedov looks to score with a jab to the body but Mcgee is just out of range.
Mcgee will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mcgee will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rockwell Mcgee 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.
Nurmagomedov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nurmagomedov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mcgee moves away.
Mcgee dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nurmagomedov. That did some damage!
Mcgee tries to work over Nurmagomedov's front leg with a kick but Nurmagomedov checks it.
Nurmagomedov throws an overhand right that lands on Mcgee's shoulder, as Mcgee tries to avoid the shot.
Nurmagomedov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It seemed like Mcgee was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mcgee looks to land a right hand but Nurmagomedov moved out of range.
Nurmagomedov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov misses the jab.

Mcgee tries to keep at a distance but Nurmagomedov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mcgee blocking some punches.
Nurmagomedov struggles to land a body shot inside as Mcgee controls his hands.
Nurmagomedov misses with a body punch.
Nurmagomedov misses with a punch to the body.
Nurmagomedov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mcgee tries to break free but Nurmagomedov pushes him back against the cage.

Mcgee breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mcgee fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nurmagomedov swings for the body but Mcgee moves out of range.
Mcgee counters with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rockwell Mcgee comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mcgee winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rockwell Mcgee!
Rockwell Mcgee really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160) logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.