PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Daryl Baird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Baird
vs
Nurmagomedov

202 cm
22
151 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

177 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)
FJCP Healthy Nutrition

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Daryl Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Matheus Silva and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baird misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Baird shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nurmagomedov pinned against the cage. Nurmagomedov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nurmagomedov feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a double leg but Baird sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Baird closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nurmagomedov circles away.
Nurmagomedov with the counter takedown but Baird avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daryl Baird. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nurmagomedov has a takedown stuffed.
Baird really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Baird kicks Nurmagomedov off and gets back to his feet.

Baird takes the fight into the clinch.

Nurmagomedov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Baird is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurmagomedov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Baird's efforts to push away.
Baird tries a knee to the head but Nurmagomedov blocks it.
Nurmagomedov avoids the elbow strike from Baird, against the cage.
Nurmagomedov tries to work over Baird's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nurmagomedov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Baird fights it off and pushes away nicely.
No joy there for Baird, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Baird as he jumps to the side.
Baird seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov shoots in and bounces Baird off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Nurmagomedov pushes down on Baird's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Baird tries to get to full guard but Nurmagomedov has control of the leg.
Nurmagomedov is pressing down on Baird's thigh, looking to free his foot. Baird is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov passes the guard and advances to mount!
Nurmagomedov wants to control the pace but Baird is squirming around nicely.

Nurmagomedov goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Baird is on top in guard.
Baird is in close to Nurmagomedov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baird postures up in Nurmagomedov's guard and throws a big left but Nurmagomedov blocks it.

Nurmagomedov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Baird defends it easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Baird's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daryl Baird dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Baird tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nurmagomedov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Baird shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nurmagomedov sprawls well. Nurmagomedov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Baird gets slowly back to his feet.

Nurmagomedov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Baird is trying to defend but Nurmagomedov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baird keeps working.
Nurmagomedov wants to pass to mount but Baird is defending the position.
Nurmagomedov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nurmagomedov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Baird wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nurmagomedov is trying to work for a kimura but Baird is defending well.
Nurmagomedov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Nurmagomedov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Baird sees it coming and defends easily.

Nurmagomedov seems to be working for a kimura but Baird defends the submission attempt.

Nurmagomedov wants to work for an arm triangle but Baird is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nurmagomedov is pressing down on Baird's thigh, looking to free his foot. Baird is holding on for now.
Nurmagomedov prevents Baird from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is trying to control. Baird wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Baird is defending against the submission attempts here by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov is breathing heavily.
Baird is trying to maintain the position but Nurmagomedov is very close to passing his half guard.

Nurmagomedov seems to be working for a kimura but Baird defends the submission attempt.
Nurmagomedov prevents Baird from standing back up.
Nurmagomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Baird is defending against the submission attempts here by Nurmagomedov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nurmagomedov is keen to just control but Baird is a slippery customer.

Nurmagomedov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Nurmagomedov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Baird doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nurmagomedov.
Baird blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nurmagomedov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Nurmagomedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Baird as Nurmagomedov shoots in.

Nurmagomedov tries to keep at a distance but Baird has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baird prevents it.
Baird misses with an elbow over the top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baird is looking to break free of the clinch but Nurmagomedov has double underhooks.
Nurmagomedov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Baird after a bit of a struggle.
Daryl Baird has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Baird throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird throws a punch but it's blocked by Nurmagomedov.
Baird wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nurmagomedov dodges an elbow strike from Baird.
Nurmagomedov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Baird avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nurmagomedov prevents Baird from breaking the clinch.

Nurmagomedov has clasped his hands together around Baird's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Nurmagomedov working away.
Nurmagomedov landing strikes.
Nurmagomedov tries to move to mount but Baird blocks the move with his legs.
Nurmagomedov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Baird pushes Nurmagomedov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Nurmagomedov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nurmagomedov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Nurmagomedov is trying to get an arm triangle but Baird is defending well.
Nurmagomedov wants to control but Baird is keeping him busy.
Baird knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nurmagomedov on the ground.
Baird can't do much from the bottom here.
Nurmagomedov wants to control but Baird is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Nurmagomedov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Baird knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The strikes coming from Nurmagomedov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Nurmagomedov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Baird has escaped the position, nice work there.

Nurmagomedov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Baird is looking to regain half guard here but Nurmagomedov keeps moving and retains side control.
Baird struggling a bit here.
Baird is trying to get back to half guard.

Nurmagomedov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nurmagomedov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Baird can't do much from the bottom here.
Nurmagomedov wants to stand but Baird has his arm trapped.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Nurmagomedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nurmagomedov 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Nurmagomedov!