PBP Commentary

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

Lagk
vs
Paul Fish

193 cm
22
205 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

186 cm
21
224 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Lagk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jon Paul Fish!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Sergei Dronov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lagk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fish doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Lagk counters by clinching up.
Lagk has Fish pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fish manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lagk lands an elbow that stopped Fish in his tracks for a moment.
Lagk managing to block the knees to the body from Fish.
Fish jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lagk walks away with a smile on his face. Fish gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fish throws a push kick but Lagk slaps the foot to one side.
Fish swinging wildly here.
Lagk tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fish paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lagk tries to close the distance and clinch but Fish swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fish throws a head kick that half lands.
Fish throws a sloppy head kick

and Lagk counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Fish's guard now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lagk throws a strike but Fish rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fish throws an elbow that misses. Lagk uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fish's guard. Nice move by Lagk!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lagk looking to sit in guard and control but Fish gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lagk pulls Fish in to control the position.
Fish landing some decent shots from guard.
Lagk managing to control the position.
Fish's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lagk is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Fish tries to free his leg and advance position but Lagk is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lagk fails with the takedown.
Fish throws a body kick that misses.
Lagk defending well as Fish loads up on a big left hand.
Fish throws a leg kick

and Lagk counters by clinching up.
Lagk is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fish is defending well for now.

Fish drags the fight down to the ground.
Lagk postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lagk trying to control the position from guard on top but Fish is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lagk works over Fish with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lagk wants to control from the top but Fish keeps moving.
Lagk engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lagk throws a big elbow that misses.
Lagk 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.

Fish escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lagk gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lagk throws an elbow that misses. Fish uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lagk's guard. Nice move by Fish!
Fish preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lagk is adopting a defensive guard.

Lagk manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Lagk misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fish.
Lagk pressing his opponent against the cage.
Fish tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nick Lagk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jon Paul Fish.

Lagk breaks the clinch.
Fish just misses with a punch to the body.
Fish fails with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lagk is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Fish throws a head kick but Lagk moves out of range.
Fish stuffs the takedown attempt from Lagk. Lagk gets slowly back to his feet.
Lagk tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fish swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fish thows a body shot but no joy.
Fish stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fish wants it to stay on the feet.

Lagk has taken the fight to the clinch.

Lagk breaks from the clinch.
Lagk tries to clinch
and Fish counters with a left and a right that stings Lagk.
Lagk will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Lagk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lagk has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Fish.
Fish scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Fish misses with a takedown attempt - Lagk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fish thuds his right hand into Lagk's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fish keeps the fight on the outside.
Lagk tries to clinch but Fish moves out of range.

Fish closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fish lands in his opponent's guard.
Fish trying to control but Lagk is working from the bottom.
Lagk seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Lagk looking for a sweep. Not yet Lagk, not yet.
Nick Lagk overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lagk is trying to control the position but Fish postures up.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A good leg kick by Fish.
Fish smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Lagk avoids the body shot from Fish.
Fish lands a body shot.
Lagk tries to clinch up but Fish circles away and keeps his distance.
Fish looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lagk changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fish tries to avoid it but Lagk manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fish to the ground. Fish escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Lagk throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Fish tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lagk is in Fish's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fish looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lagk is one step ahead there.
Lagk trying to control but Fish is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lagk is fighting to break Fish's control of his arms but Fish is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Fish avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lagk looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nick Lagk wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Fish throws a leg kick but Lagk sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lagk fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Fish.
Fish looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Lagk darts in and clinches Fish up against the cage.
Fish tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lagk avoids it.
Our sources have told us that Lagk has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Lagk trying to land knees to the body.

Lagk turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Lagk manages to end up in side control.
Fish felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Lagk is looking to take a break and control but Fish is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Lagk working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fish is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nick Lagk will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fish scoring well with a low kick there.
Lagk tries to clinch there but Fish circles away.
Lagk fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fish avoids it really well and circles away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Fish.
Lagk is looking to clinch.

Lagk scores with a takedown into Fish's guard.
Lagk trying to control the position from guard on top but Fish is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fish wants to stand up but Lagk is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lagk looking to pass the guard.
Fish wants to sweep but no luck.
Lagk passes Fish's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Fish regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lagk engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Lagk postures up in Fish's guard and throws a big left but Fish blocks it.
Lagk passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fish manages to get back to half guard.
Lagk perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Fish is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Lagk is looking for a kimura but Fish is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lagk to get the leverage.
Lagk with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Fish wants to get back to full guard.
Fish regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Lagk.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lagk works over Fish with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lagk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fish is keeping the position for now.
Fish wants to stand up but Lagk is controlling him.
Fish avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lagk chips away with some ground and pound.
Fish working a defensive guard here.
Lagk pushes down on Fish's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lagk in particular looking to stall.
Lagk wants to control but Fish is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fish moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Lagk trying to control but Fish is working from the bottom.
Lagk landing with the ground and pound.
Lagk trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lagk postures up in Fish's guard and throws a big left but Fish blocks it.
Fish keeping full guard, as Lagk tries to pass.
Lagk missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Lagk clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fish misses with a two punch combination.
Fish lands a jab to the nose.
Nick Lagk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lagk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lagk tries to clinch up.

Lagk closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Fish did well to prevent Lagk getting side control.
Lagk throwing shots but Fish is blocking nicely.
Lagk controlling the action here.
Fish is trying to maintain the position but Lagk is very close to passing his half guard.
Fish is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lagk scores with a couple of nice shots.
Fish is staying active underneath Lagk, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lagk working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Fish won't allow Lagk to pass to mount.
Fish wants to get back to full guard.

Fish actively working from the bottom here.
Lagk is thwarting Fish's attempts to control the position.
Lagk is stalling here. Fish is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Lagk seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Fish has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Fish throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lagk tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Fish wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fish wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lagk keeps working.
Lagk gets back to half guard.
Lagk wants to control but Fish is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lagk regains full guard. Nicely done.
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.
Fish trying to control but Lagk is working from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fish landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lagk is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fish trying to move into half guard but instead Lagk has managed to sweep!
Lagk tries to free his leg and advance position but Fish is retaining full guard.
Fish wants to stand up but Lagk is controlling him.
Lagk scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lagk slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lagk is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Fish sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Lagk wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fish keeps working.
Fish pushes Lagk off looking to stand but Lagk dives back in and keeps control.
Lagk is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Lagk is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lagk is looking for a kimura but Fish is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lagk to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Lagk had his way with Jon Paul Fish in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Fish drives through with a takedown into Lagk's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Lagk pulls Fish in close to his closed guard and prevents Fish from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fish won't allow Lagk to sweep him here.
Fish trying to control the position from guard on top but Lagk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lagk not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fish trying to control but Lagk is working from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jon Paul Fish hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nice body punch from Fish.
Fish is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Lagk rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lagk moves out of range as Fish throws a body kick.
Lagk misses with a takedown attempt - Fish sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jon Paul Fish seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fish fakes the leg kick and cracks Lagk in the body.
Fish misses with a leg kick.
Fish blocks a head kick by Lagk.
Fish misses with a hook. Lagk ducked under it nicely.
Fish tries for a takedown but Lagk sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lagk tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fish swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lagk takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Lagk tries to clinch but Fish is having none of it.
Fish connects with a leg kick. Lagk looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Jon Paul Fish has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fish throws a jab but it's blocked by Lagk.
Fish fails to land the takedown.
Fish swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lagk tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fish paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fish defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lagk.
Fish thows a leg kick but Lagk checks it

and Lagk counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Fish's guard now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lagk is stalling in the full guard.
Lagk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fish is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fish wants to stand and escape but Lagk is having none of it.
Lagk trying to control but Fish is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Lagk seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Nick Lagk just wasn't active enough.
A slapping leg kick lands for Fish.
Fish waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lagk.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lagk checks a leg kick.
Fish fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fish connects with a good right hand that stumbles Lagk. Lagk circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fish misses with a leg kick

and Lagk counters by clinching up.
Fish with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Good body shot from Fish.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fish tries to throw a body punch but Lagk avoids it by throwing Fish back against the cage.
Nick Lagk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Lagk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lagk is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lagk tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fish paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lagk darts in trying to clinch
and Fish counters with a low kick, right behind Lagk 's knee.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jon Paul Fish comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lagk has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 49:46
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Lagk!
Nick Lagk retains his light heavyweight title!
An out of breath Nick Lagk thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Jon Paul Fish had this to say: 'Clearly, I've got some things to work on. Thanks to everyone who's supported me thus far.'.