PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Petr Stukov (ranked 1258 p4p, 1002 weight class) and Nino Babel (ranked 146 p4p, 122 weight class). Nino Babel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stukov
vs
Babel

180 cm
31
222
12 - 7 - 1

195 cm
30
265
15 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Petr Stukov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nino Babel!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Wagner Zegers and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Babel wants to clinch.
An inside leg kick lands from Stukov.
Babel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Stukov throws a hook to the side of Babel's head but Babel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stukov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Babel moves away.
Babel with the counter takedown but Stukov avoids it easily.
Babel looks for a takedown but Stukov sprawls well.
Stukov is looking for a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stukov lands a right hook to the body.
Babel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stukov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stukov as he jumps to the side.
Babel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Stukov defends well and Babel ends up having to push Stukov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Stukov jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Petr Stukov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nino Babel.
Stukov works the jab nicely.
Babel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Babel on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Babel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stukov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Babel.
Babel takes one on the button.
Babel doesn't manage to clinch there - Stukov circles away.
Stukov lands a nice shot to the body.
A lazy left from Stukov finds it's target.
Stukov keeps the fight on the outside.
Babel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stukov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Petr Stukov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice straight punches there by Stukov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stukov.
Petr Stukov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stukov throws out a powerful jab.
Stukov misses with a left hand

and Babel counters with a shoot takedown. Stukov fights it but they end up in guard.
Stukov is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Babel dives into side control.

Babel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
My spies in Gym inform me that Babel has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Babel is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Stukov will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Babel is trying to get an arm triangle but Stukov is defending well.
Stukov trying to control but Babel flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

Babel patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Babel has got one arm under Stukov's chin. This could be trouble... Stukov trying to control the other hand but Babel gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Stukov has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Nino Babel!
Nino Babel tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.