PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Watkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirzai Navozov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Watkins
vs
Navozov

180 cm
18
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 22 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Daniel Watkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 22 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mirzai Navozov!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Watkins takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Navozov misses with a kick to the body
and Watkins counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Navozov scores with a hook.
Watkins throws a sloppy head kick and Navozov moves out of range easily.
Watkins tries to clinch up.
Navozov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Watkins.
Watkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Navozov circles away.
Watkins on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Navozov slips a jab and a cross from Watkins.
Sloppy strikes from Watkins. Those never looked like landing.
Watkins scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice uppercut there from Navozov.
Watkins on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Navozov. Navozov obviously looking to wear him down.
Watkins lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Watkins.

It looks like Mirzai Navozov has been cut.
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!
Watkins throws a hook to the side of Navozov's head but Navozov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Watkins takes one on the button.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A nice leg kick lands there from Navozov.
The fighters circle momentarily. Navozov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Navozov connects with a high kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watkins misses with an uppercut.
Watkins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Navozov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Navozov staying out of range there.
Navozov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Navozov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Watkins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Watkins is breathing heavily.
Navozov throws a chopping leg kick but Watkins manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Watkins tries to clinch up but Navozov circles away and keeps his distance.
Navozov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Navozov tries a head kick but it misses.
Watkins fails to land with a series of punches.
Navozov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Watkins stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Navozov lands with a hook. Watkins tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Navozov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Navozov.
Navozov lands with a kick to the temple. Watkins shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Navozov throws out a loose jab but Watkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Navozov.
Navozov throws a head kick but Watkins moves out of range.
Watkins walks into a straight right hand from Navozov.
Watkins really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Watkins shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Navozov throws a half hearted mid kick.

Watkins clinches up against the cage.
Navozov prevents Watkins from breaking the clinch.
Navozov tries a knee to the head but Watkins blocks it.
Navozov blocking some punches.
Navozov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Watkins can't break the clinch.
Navozov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Navozov is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watkins is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Navozov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Navozov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Watkins wants to get back to striking at distance but Navozov won't allow it.
Navozov is trying to force a seperation but Watkins has the dominant position.

Watkins breaks the clinch.
Watkins moves in looking to clinch but Navozov pushes him off.
A nice inside leg kick there by Navozov. That's going to slow Watkins down.
Watkins throws a right hand that Navozov ducks under and follows up with a left that Navozov also avoids with ease.
Watkins walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Navozov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Watkins's calf.
Navozov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Watkins misses with a head kick.
Navozov lands with a kick to the ribs.
Watkins blocks a head kick by Navozov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watkins takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Navozov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Watkins's sensitive parts.
Navozov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Watkins had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Watkins takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Navozov tries a head kick but it misses.
Navozov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Navozov thows a body shot but no joy.
Watkins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Navozov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Navozov blocks a head kick by Watkins.
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!
Watkins with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Navozov to score with a decent uppercut.
Watkins showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Navozov.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Navozov ducks under a wild hook from Watkins.
Watkins wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirzai Navozov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mirzai Navozov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Watkins misses with a two punch combination.
Navozov tries a head kick but it misses.
Watkins swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Navozov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Watkins misses with the combination.
A combination from Navozov does no damage.
Navozov is looking to slow Watkins down with leg kicks.
Watkins tries to clinch
and Navozov counters with an outside leg kick.
Watkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Navozov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mirzai Navozov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Watkins tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Navozov dodges the punch combination from Watkins.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Navozov lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Watkins. Those never looked like landing.
Watkins tries to clinch there but Navozov circles away.
Watkins throws a nice looking combination but Navozov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Watkins chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Navozov can pounce on him.
Navozov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Navozov catches Watkins with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Watkins takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Navozov connects with the punch.
Navozov throws a nice head kick!
Navozov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A left lands for Navozov.
A nice inside leg kick there by Navozov. That's going to slow Watkins down.
Watkins takes a kick to the side of the head.
Watkins walks into a jab.
Watkins drops his hands momentarily and Navozov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Watkins takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Navozov circles away.
Navozov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Navozov misses with a head kick.
Watkins is looking to clinch.
Watkins tries to clinch but Navozov moves out of range.
Navozov lands a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Navozov throws a leg kick but Watkins moved away.
Navozov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Navozov blocks a head kick by Watkins.
Navozov connects with a high kick.
Navozov's corner calls for a 1-2. Navozov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
No joy there for Watkins, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Watkins throws a head kick but Navozov moves out of range.
Daniel Watkins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Watkins misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Navozov works over Watkins's head and body with a nice combination.
Watkins is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Watkins is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Watkins throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Navozov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Watkins is looking to clinch but Navozov is avoiding it.
Watkins throws a sloppy head kick and Navozov moves out of range easily.
Watkins has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Navozov.
Watkins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Navozov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Watkins tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Navozov to counter with a crisp jab.
A punch combination from Watkins misses.
Watkins stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Navozov.
Navozov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Navozov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Watkins tries to clinch but Navozov moves away
and Navozov counters with a right hand to the body.
Watkins looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Watkins on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Navozov. Navozov obviously looking to wear him down.
Navozov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Navozov moves out of range of the body kick from Watkins.
Navozov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Watkins ducks right into an uppercut from Navozov.
Navozov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Watkins's sensitive parts.
Watkins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Navozov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Watkins throws a series of punches but Navozov avoids them all with ease.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Watkins moves to clinch but Navozov breaks away
enabling Navozov to counter with a crisp jab.
Watkins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Watkins tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Navozov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirzai Navozov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mirzai Navozov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Navozov connects with a right hand. Watkins shakes it off.
Navozov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Watkins misses with a wild combination.
Watkins tries to clinch there but Navozov circles away.
Navozov ducks right into an uppercut from Watkins.
Watkins lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Watkins.
A leg kick checked by Watkins.
Watkins tries to clinch
and Navozov counters with a head kick.
Navozov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A right-left combo lands from Navozov.
Navozov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Navozov dodges the punch combination from Watkins.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Watkins on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Navozov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Navozov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Watkins has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Navozov finds it's way round the side to connect with Watkins's head.
Navozov connects with a nice looking jab.
Watkins is looking to clinch but Navozov is avoiding it.
Navozov swinging wildly here.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Navozov in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Navozov throws a combination. Watkins tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Navozov keeps the fight on the outside.
Navozov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Watkins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Navozov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Navozov throws a leg kick but Watkins checks it.
Navozov is looking to land body kicks.
Navozov avoids the head kick by Watkins.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watkins waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Navozov.
Watkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Navozov is just out of range.
Watkins throws a head kick that misses.
Watkins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Navozov lands with a slapping head kick.
Navozov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Watkins.
Navozov tries a head kick but it misses.
Watkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Navozov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Navozov blocks a head kick by Watkins.
Navozov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Navozov throws a head kick that Watkins semi-blocks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Watkins takes a kick to the side of the head.
Navozov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Watkins misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Navozov.
Navozov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Watkins eats them both and turns towards Navozov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A good leg kick by Watkins.
No joy there for Watkins, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Watkins tries to clinch but Navozov is having none of it.
Navozov throws a series of strikes that have Watkins backpedaling.
Watkins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Watkins tries to clinch up but Navozov circles away and keeps his distance.
Navozov scores with a sloppy right hand. Watkins should have avoided that one.
Watkins closes the distance looking to clinch
and Navozov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Navozov misses with a series of wild punches.
Navozov lands with a kick to the temple. Watkins shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Navozov swats away the attempt to clinch by Watkins.
Navozov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Navozov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Navozov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Watkins throws a head kick that half lands.
Navozov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Watkins checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Watkins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Navozov throws a right hand that Watkins ducks under and follows up with a left that Watkins also avoids with ease.
Navozov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Watkins.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Watkins closes the distance but Navozov moves to the side
and Navozov counters with a nice uppercut.
Daniel Watkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mirzai Navozov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Navozov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirzai Navozov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Navozov 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirzai Navozov!