PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Magomed Ismailov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Lagk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ismailov
vs
Lagk

185 cm
29
220 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

193 cm
21
205 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Namunamu Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Magomed Ismailov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Lagk!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ismailov missing with a left hand there. Lagk was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ismailov misses with a lunging right hand

and Lagk decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ismailov's guard.
Lagk sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've been hearing good reports from Ismailov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Lagk wants to control from the top but Ismailov keeps moving.
Ismailov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ismailov is trying to control the position but Lagk postures up.
Ismailov wants to sweep here but Lagk controlling him for the moment.
Ismailov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ismailov wants to sweep here but Lagk controlling him for the moment.
Lagk postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ismailov lands a jab to the nose.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lagk ducks under a wild hook from Ismailov.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lagk forces Ismailov back against the cage and clinches.
A short uppercut from Lagk.
Lagk has Ismailov pressed against the cage, preventing Ismailov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Lagk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ismailov throws a shot to the body.

Lagk feints and as Ismailov raises his hands in defense, Lagk changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lagk accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ismailov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ismailov wants to sweep here but Lagk controlling him for the moment.
Lagk throws a big elbow that misses.
Ismailov keeping moving, preventing Lagk from controlling successfully.

Ismailov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Ismailov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lagk just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ismailov tries to break free but Lagk pushes him back against the cage.
Lagk tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ismailov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Lagk wants a takedown but no success here.
Ismailov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ismailov wants to break free but Lagk has control.
Ismailov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lagk prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Magomed Ismailov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lagk using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ismailov jumps guard but Lagk stands there with Ismailov around his waist. Ismailov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lagk is looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lagk lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Lagk manages to break the clinch.
Lagk gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ismailov.
Ismailov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ismailov keeps the fight on the outside.
Ismailov misses with a straight left.
Lagk tries to clinch there but Ismailov circles away.
Ismailov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lagk.

Lagk takes the fight into the clinch.
Ismailov tries to pull guard but Lagk holds him up against the cage and eventually Ismailov drops back down to his feet.
Lagk taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ismailov jumps guard but Lagk stands there with Ismailov around his waist. Ismailov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lagk working Ismailov over with knees to the body.
Ismailov is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Lagk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lagk fails with an attempt to clinch.

Lagk scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Lagk controlling the position from side mount.
Lagk lands a few punches from side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lagk working the body and head with strikes.
Lagk misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Lagk works to advance to full mount. Ismailov defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Lagk dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lagk wants to clinch up but Ismailov keeps it at a distance.

Lagk closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ismailov did well to prevent Lagk getting side control.
Lagk trying to control from Ismailov's half guard. Ismailov has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Lagk trying to control but Ismailov is working from the bottom.
Ismailov trying to keep a closed guard but Lagk is proving a slippery customer.
Ismailov wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ismailov working for a triangle but Lagk defends it easily.
Ismailov keeping moving, preventing Lagk from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lagk trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lagk is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Ismailov trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Magomed Ismailov just wasn't active enough.
Ismailov swats away the attempt to clinch by Lagk.
Nick Lagk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ismailov lands a nice shot that snaps Lagk's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lagk on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lagk tries to clinch up but Ismailov circles away and keeps his distance.

Lagk shoots in and gets a takedown into Ismailov's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lagk slips nicely into half guard.
Lagk is looking to take a break and control but Ismailov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ismailov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ismailov trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Lagk manages to pass to mount!
Lagk unloading with bombs!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lagk putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Lagk lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Ismailov hang on?
Ismailov is squirming around, avoiding Lagk's attempts to control the action.

Lagk is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Ismailov has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Ismailov!
Ismailov is looking to advance position but Lagk has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
BOOM! Lagk connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Ismailov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Nick Lagk has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Lagk is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Ismailov is surviving well by controlling Lagk's body position as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lagk controlling his opponent.
Lagk working Ismailov over with strikes here.
Lagk looking to control but Ismailov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ismailov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Lagk landing strikes from the mount and Ismailov is in trouble!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Lagk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lagk gets a double leg takedown into Ismailov's guard.
Lagk slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Lagk has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lagk trying to control but Ismailov is working from the bottom.
Ismailov is adopting a defensive guard.
Ismailov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ismailov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Lagk decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Lagk not doing much here.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Lagk working his ground and pound in the gym.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lagk passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ismailov!
Lagk thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Ismailov is trying desperately to improve position.
Ismailov is working hard here to advance position.
Lagk trying to control but Ismailov is having none of it.
Ismailov bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lagk is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lagk is trying to control the position but Ismailov postures up.
Ismailov looking to pass the guard.
Ismailov postures up.
Lagk is looking to stand up but Ismailov isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Nick Lagk.
Lagk checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ismailov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Lagk counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ismailov jabs at Lagk's body.

Lagk looking to score a takedown here. Ismailov is defending well but Lagk drives through and ends up in Ismailov's guard.
Ismailov keeping moving, preventing Lagk from controlling successfully.
Lagk with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lagk trying to control but Ismailov is working from the bottom.
Lagk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ismailov is keeping the position for now.
Lagk trying to control the position from guard on top but Ismailov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Nick Lagk has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ismailov cracks Lagk with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ismailov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lagk wants to clinch up but Ismailov keeps it at a distance.
Ismailov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lagk.
Ismailov misses with an uppercut. Lagk saw that one coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ismailov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lagk can pounce on him.
Lagk looks for a takedown but Ismailov sprawls well.
Lagk tests Ismailov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lagk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ismailov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Lagk really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lagk decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ismailov is refusing to be controlled, as Lagk sits in half guard.
Ismailov trying to control here.
Lagk controlling the pace.
Lagk thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Lagk looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ismailov wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lagk trying to pass the guard but Ismailov defending well.

Lagk is looking for a kimura but Ismailov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lagk to get the leverage.

Lagk looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lagk tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ismailov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lagk working Ismailov over with strikes.
Ismailov won't allow Lagk to pass to mount.
Lagk is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Ismailov reverses the position - he's now on top in Lagk's guard.
Lagk keeping moving, preventing Ismailov from controlling successfully.
Ismailov looking to pass the guard.
Lagk keeping moving, preventing Ismailov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ismailov throwing strikes but missing.

Ismailov gets to his feet. Lagk looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Lagk drives through and clinches with Ismailov against the cage.
Lagk is looking for a takedown.

Lagk breaks the clinch.
Lagk with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ismailov throws a big shot that misses.
Lagk is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Lagk clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lagk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lagk slips under a jab from Ismailov.
Nice shot by Ismailov.
Ismailov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Magomed Ismailov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lagk tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ismailov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ismailov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ismailov wants it to stay on the feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A clash of legs there as Lagk blocks the low kick.
Magomed Ismailov is winning the standup battle so far.
Lagk tries to clinch but Ismailov is having none of it.
Ismailov misses with a shot to the body

and Lagk counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ismailov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lagk manages to get himself to full guard.
Lagk wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Lagk dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Lagk is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ismailov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ismailov misses with a looping right.
Ismailov looks to land a right hand but Lagk moved out of range.
A combination from Ismailov does no damage.
Ismailov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lagk.
Lagk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ismailov swings for the body but Lagk moves out of range.
Ismailov misses with a hook. Lagk ducked under it nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ismailov. Lagk does a little dance to reset his feet.

Lagk drives through and clinches with Ismailov against the cage.
Lagk tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ismailov avoids it.
Nick Lagk seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lagk misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ismailov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ismailov blocks an uppercut.
Lagk struggles to land a body shot inside as Ismailov controls his hands.
Lagk goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lagk trying to control the position but instead, Ismailov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Lagk into the cage.
Lagk looking for a takedown.
Ismailov is trying to pull guard but Lagk has him pressed against the cage.
Lagk throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Lagk struggles to land a body shot inside as Ismailov controls his hands.
Lagk swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Ismailov tightens his grip and picks Lagk up, before dumping him to the ground. Lagk manages to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lagk managing to control the position.
Ismailov wants to stand and escape but instead Lagk has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Lagk advances position into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lagk working the ground and pound.
Lagk trying to control the action but Ismailov is working from the bottom.
Lagk has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lagk breaks from Ismailov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Lagk controlling from mount.
Ismailov tries to hold on but Lagk postures up.
Lagk has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Ismailov's face.
Lagk scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ismailov?
Magomed Ismailov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ismailov working to try and regain half guard.
Lagk tries to control but Ismailov wriggling away.
Ismailov gets back to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lagk trying to control the pace.
Nick Lagk is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Let's hope that Lagk 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ismailov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lagk looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ismailov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Lagk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lagk 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 45:50
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 45:50
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Lagk!
Nick Lagk is the new light heavyweight champion!
A relieved looking Nick Lagk thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.