PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gareth McCall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vadim Nazarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCall's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Bobby Darin - Mack The Knife. Nazarov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by "Fade to Black" by Metallica. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

McCall
vs
Nazarov

185 cm
32
195 lbs
20 - 13 - 0

187 cm
30
195 lbs
19 - 9 - 2

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

GREEN!160

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gareth McCall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vadim Nazarov!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCall gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nazarov.
Nazarov throws a body punch but McCall moves out of range.
McCall looks to throw the jab but Nazarov is out of range.
Nazarov misses the shot to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McCall.
Nazarov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
No luck for Nazarov with that takedown attempt.
Nazarov lands a head shot.
Nazarov walks into a stiff left hand from McCall.
McCall dips to his left and cracks Nazarov with an uppercut!
McCall slips under a jab.
Nazarov is trying hard to land a takedown here. McCall sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
McCall pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCall tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nazarov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nazarov looks to throw the jab but McCall is out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nazarov misses with a looping left.
Jab, jab by Nazarov - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nazarov.
Nazarov throws an overhand right that lands on McCall's shoulder, as McCall tries to avoid the shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by McCall.
McCall throws out a loose jab but Nazarov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nazarov catches McCall with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nazarov misses with a body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from McCall misses the target.
Nazarov's coach down at Den of Tears (22 coaches, $700 fee) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Nazarov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
McCall moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - McCall looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McCall lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nazarov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nazarov takes one to the side of the head.
McCall bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Nazarov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching McCall on his heels. He'll look to pass McCall's guard now, I'm sure.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nazarov wants to control from the top but McCall keeps moving.
We've been hearing good reports from McCall'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.
McCall looking for a sweep. Not yet McCall, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nazarov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nazarov controls from within his opponent's guard.
McCall keeping moving, preventing Nazarov from controlling successfully.
Nazarov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nazarov throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCall looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nazarov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Nazarov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nazarov moves out of range as McCall strikes.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nazarov.
Gareth McCall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vadim Nazarov.
Nazarov takes a swing at McCall's ribcage but misses.
Nazarov scores with a jab to the head.

McCall pushes Nazarov up against the cage in a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
McCall taking a breather.
McCall comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Vadim Nazarov has been cut.
Nazarov lands a shot to the body.
Nice body punch from McCall - that landed with a thud.
McCall lands a damaging elbow.
McCall tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nazarov's elbow.
Nazarov takes an elbow to the forehead.
McCall pushes off an throws an elbow but Nazarov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
McCall trying to control the position but instead, Nazarov has worked for underhooks and has pushed McCall into the cage.
Nazarov prevents a body shot from McCall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov tries a body shot but McCall blocks it.
McCall tries to throw a body punch but Nazarov avoids it by throwing McCall back against the cage.
McCall blocking some punches.
Nazarov lands a hook that snaps the head of McCall backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nazarov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McCall is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
McCall stalling in the clinch but Nazarov improves position.

Nazarov breaks the clinch.
Nazarov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
McCall swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McCall pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nazarov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A punch lands to the side of Nazarov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A shot to the liver by Nazarov. Beautiful body shot.
McCall on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Gareth McCall seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCall scores with a jab to the jaw.
McCall throws a leg kick but Nazarov moved away.
Nazarov is trying hard to land a takedown here. McCall sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
McCall fires out a quick counter leg kick but Nazarov just manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gareth McCall will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vadim Nazarov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nazarov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

McCall instigates a clinch.
Nazarov struggles to land a body shot inside as McCall controls his hands.
McCall throws a head punch that misses.
Nazarov tries to work over McCall's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McCall tries to land knees in the clinch but Nazarov avoids the damage to the body.

Nazarov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McCall scores with a leg kick.
A right-left combo lands from Nazarov.
Nazarov checks a leg kick.
Nazarov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McCall throws out the jab.
McCall tries to close the distance and clinch but Nazarov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCall misses with a body shot.
McCall bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McCall shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nazarov swats away the attempt to clinch by McCall.
McCall misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarov takes a swing at McCall's ribcage but misses.
McCall bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nazarov checks a leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from McCall.
McCall takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nazarov scores with a jab. McCall acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
McCall tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McCall cracks the inside of Nazarov's front leg.
Nazarov cracks McCall with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
McCall lands a jab.
Nazarov drops his hands momentarily and McCall takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by McCall!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No joy there for Nazarov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nazarov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
McCall tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nazarov was well out of range. Poor timing from McCall.
Nazarov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCall takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
McCall misses with a head kick.
Nazarov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McCall as he jumps to the side.
Nazarov misses with an uppercut.
Nazarov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McCall takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
McCall pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nazarov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McCall fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nazarov manages to avoid it.
Nazarov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but McCall defends it well.
Nazarov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McCall but McCall pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nazarov moves away from the strike by McCall.
Gareth McCall is winning the standup battle so far.
Nazarov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nazarov takes one on the button.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCall. Nazarov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCall avoids the body shot from Nazarov.
McCall fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nazarov lands an overhand right.

Nazarov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nazarov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nazarov is thwarting McCall's attempts to control the position.
Nazarov wants to take a breather but McCall is having none of it.
Nazarov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov wants to control but McCall is keeping him busy.
Nazarov with the ground and pound but McCall uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Nazarov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nazarov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nazarov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McCall blocks a jab.
Nazarov clobbers McCall with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A good leg kick by McCall.
No luck for Nazarov with that takedown attempt.
Gareth McCall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vadim Nazarov.
Nazarov shoots in and drives through. McCall sprawls well.
Nazarov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vadim Nazarov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Vadim Nazarov's cut.
That's time! McCall's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nazarov moves out of range of the body kick.
Nazarov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nazarov shoots in for a takedown but McCall shows good takedown defense.
Nazarov throws out a loose jab but McCall uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCall avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McCall fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nazarov feints the counter takedown.
McCall turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McCall throws a low kick but it's checked well by Nazarov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nazarov. McCall does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nazarov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Nazarov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McCall napping and manages to drive through into side control!

McCall sneaks out the side door and pushes Nazarov away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
McCall wants to clinch up but Nazarov keeps it at a distance.
Nazarov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McCall.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCall is looking to clinch but Nazarov is avoiding it.

McCall gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall blocks a body shot from Nazarov.

Nazarov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McCall staying out of range there.
McCall lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McCall throws a front kick aimed at Nazarov's knee but Nazarov avoids it well.
McCall looks to land a right hand but Nazarov moved out of range.
Nazarov catches McCall with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
McCall misses with a wild body shot.
And Nazarov tries to counter it with a takedown but McCall pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nazarov throws a looping overhand right but McCall ducks down to avoid it.
McCall was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McCall moves out of range as Nazarov strikes.

Nazarov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Nazarov throws an elbow that misses. McCall uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nazarov's guard. Nice move by McCall!
McCall preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCall is looking to stand up but Nazarov won't let him.
Nazarov being controlled here, momentarily.
McCall advances position into side control!
Nazarov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nazarov is not content to let McCall control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov is looking for a sweep.
Nazarov isn't going anywhere.
McCall is looking to take a break and control but Nazarov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
McCall remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McCall throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nazarov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gareth McCall is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McCall looks to land a left hand but Nazarov moved out of range nicely.
Nazarov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nazarov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nazarov misses the shot to the body.
Nazarov slips under a jab from McCall.
Nazarov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Nazarov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. McCall is trying to defend but Nazarov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
McCall on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nazarov trying to control from half guard but McCall is working away.
Nazarov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vadim Nazarov.
I think Nazarov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Vadim Nazarov!
A relieved looking Vadim Nazarov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.