PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nolan Sackett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Dzhumagaliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Sackett
vs
Dzhumagaliev

182 cm
30
200 lbs
25 - 4 - 0

185 cm
31
190 lbs
30 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Invictus

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nolan Sackett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikolai Dzhumagaliev!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Sam Margolis and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sackett lands a leg kick that knocks Dzhumagaliev off balance momentarily.

Dzhumagaliev pushes Sackett up against the cage in a clinch.
Sackett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dzhumagaliev working aggressively here.
Dzhumagaliev misses with an elbow over the top.
Sackett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sackett has a couple of punches blocked by Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev has a couple of punches blocked by Sackett.
Dzhumagaliev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dzhumagaliev blocks an uppercut.
Sackett avoids the elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev, against the cage.
Dzhumagaliev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sackett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Dzhumagaliev working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sackett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a shot to the side of Sackett's head.
Sackett swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dzhumagaliev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sackett lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Dzhumagaliev or not.
Sackett dodges an elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.
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!

Dzhumagaliev manages to break the clinch.
Dzhumagaliev uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sackett has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett clobbers Dzhumagaliev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

It looks like Nikolai Dzhumagaliev has been cut.
Nikolai Dzhumagaliev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dzhumagaliev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sackett cracks the inside of Dzhumagaliev's front leg.
Dzhumagaliev throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Sackett counters with a left hand that sends Dzhumagaliev to the canvas!

Dzhumagaliev is rocked!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sackett throws a big right hand that misses.
Sackett landing some decent shots from guard.
Sackett trying to control but Dzhumagaliev is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sackett throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sackett loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dzhumagaliev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sackett is controlling him.
Dzhumagaliev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sackett.
Sackett looking to sit in guard and control but Dzhumagaliev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Dzhumagaliev postures up.
Sackett 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett has a closed guard, preventing Dzhumagaliev from standing up.
Dzhumagaliev won't allow Sackett to sweep him here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sackett lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Good leg kick by Dzhumagaliev there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sackett throws a lazy uppercut
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sackett lands a nice hook to Dzhumagaliev's body. Dzhumagaliev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a double jab
and Sackett counters with a nice leg kick.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a hook
and Sackett counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dzhumagaliev scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sackett swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a nice uppercut.
Sackett swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sackett misses with a leg kick
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a nice uppercut.
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 Nolan Sackett will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Nikolai Dzhumagaliev's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A leg kick checked by Dzhumagaliev.
As Sackett backs off Dzhumagaliev throws a huge counter combo but Sackett manages to avoid it all.

Dzhumagaliev lands a head kick that stumbles Sackett and the fighters go to the mat.
Dzhumagaliev trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sackett's guard.
Sackett wants to hit a switch here but Dzhumagaliev passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Sackett there!
Sackett working to try and regain half guard.
Sackett wants to hold on but Dzhumagaliev pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzhumagaliev controlling the position easily from mount.

Dzhumagaliev is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Sackett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dzhumagaliev.
Sackett tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Dzhumagaliev tries to clinch
and Sackett counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a wild body shot.
A combination from Sackett does no damage.
Nolan Sackett is winning the standup battle so far.
Sackett takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Sackett misses with a left hand
enabling Dzhumagaliev to counter with a crisp jab.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a jab to the body
and Sackett cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sackett on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Dzhumagaliev. Dzhumagaliev obviously looking to wear him down.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sackett checks a leg kick.
Sackett thows a leg kick but Dzhumagaliev checks it
and Dzhumagaliev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sackett avoids the head kick by Dzhumagaliev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett misses with a lunging right hand
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a low kick, right behind Sackett 's knee.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a punch to the head.
A shot to the liver by Sackett. Beautiful body shot.
Sackett slips a straight right by Dzhumagaliev.
Sackett wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Sackett takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Sackett cracks the inside of Dzhumagaliev's front leg.
Sackett throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sackett throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sackett bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sackett scores with a nice head shot.
Sackett lands a nice looking body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sackett throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A lazy body kick from Sackett
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a stiff right hand.
Dzhumagaliev has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Sackett has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sackett throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Sackett closes the distance and pushes Dzhumagaliev back into the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sackett misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Sackett on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Dzhumagaliev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nikolai Dzhumagaliev's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sackett forces Dzhumagaliev back against the cage and clinches.
Nikolai Dzhumagaliev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch on the inside from Dzhumagaliev fails to land.
Sackett tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dzhumagaliev gets through Sackett's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sackett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dzhumagaliev throws an elbow but it misses.
Dzhumagaliev lands an elbow inside that Sackett shrugs off.
Dzhumagaliev misses with some punches.
Dzhumagaliev struggles to land a body shot inside as Sackett controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Sackett fails to land.
Sackett misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sackett throws a punch but it's blocked by Dzhumagaliev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sackett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dzhumagaliev lands with a light punch inside.
Sackett takes a shot to the head.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Sackett fails to land.
Dzhumagaliev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Good body shot from Dzhumagaliev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett takes an elbow to the temple.
Sackett trying to land knees to the body.
Sackett swings wildly with an uppercut but Dzhumagaliev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sackett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dzhumagaliev lands with a short shot to the head.
Dzhumagaliev tries to break free but Sackett pushes him back against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev throws an elbow that misses.
Sackett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A shot in the inside from Dzhumagaliev.
Sackett misses with a punch on the inside.
Sackett blocks an elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sackett.
Dzhumagaliev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sackett throws a head punch that misses.
Dzhumagaliev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sackett backwards.
Dzhumagaliev misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dzhumagaliev misses with the head strike.
A short right from Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dzhumagaliev.
Sackett gets through Dzhumagaliev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sackett pushes Dzhumagaliev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sackett misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dzhumagaliev can't break the clinch.
Dzhumagaliev working aggressively here.
Sackett lands with a left to the head.
A short right from Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sackett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dzhumagaliev lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sackett backwards.
Sackett works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Sackett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett misses with a punch on the inside.
Sackett misses with a body punch.
Dzhumagaliev misses with the head strike.
Sackett throws a punch but it's blocked by Dzhumagaliev.
Sackett misses with a punch on the inside.
Sackett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev throws a head punch that misses.
Dzhumagaliev blocks an uppercut.

Dzhumagaliev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dzhumagaliev lands a head shot.
A head kick misses from Dzhumagaliev.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sackett throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a one-two to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sackett is looking to land body kicks.
Sackett throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sackett - that will leave a mark!
Sackett throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sackett takes one to the chin there.
Dzhumagaliev throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Dzhumagaliev lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a looping right.
Dzhumagaliev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sackett counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Dzhumagaliev really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nikolai Dzhumagaliev's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sackett loads up on a big right hand but Dzhumagaliev slips the punch.
Dzhumagaliev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sackett counters with a thumping low kick.
Sackett throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dzhumagaliev throws out a counter right but Sackett avoids it with no problem.
Sackett misses with a body shot.
Sackett throws a hook to the side of Dzhumagaliev's head but Dzhumagaliev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Dzhumagaliev scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sackett cracks the inside of Dzhumagaliev's front leg.
Sackett keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Dzhumagaliev throws a body shot but no joy.
Dzhumagaliev is looking to chop away at Sackett's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzhumagaliev checks a leg kick.
Dzhumagaliev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A head kick misses from Sackett.
Sackett throws a nice looking combination but Dzhumagaliev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sackett throws a body shot but no joy.
Dzhumagaliev buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sackett misses with a leg kick
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a left and a right that stings Sackett.
Dzhumagaliev missing with a left hand there. Sackett was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A nice inside leg kick there by Dzhumagaliev. That's going to slow Sackett down.
Jab from Sackett.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzhumagaliev blocks a head kick by Sackett.
Nice body kick from Sackett.
Dzhumagaliev lands a nice hook to Sackett's body. Sackett takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sackett walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Dzhumagaliev checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sackett lands with a shot to the body.
Sackett scores with a leg kick.
Sackett looks to throw a body kick
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sackett gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzhumagaliev uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sackett lands a slapping body shot.
Dzhumagaliev thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Sackett if he has to take too many more of those.
Dzhumagaliev delivers a nice body kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Dzhumagaliev throws a nice head kick!
Sackett moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a body kick.
Dzhumagaliev doesn't manage to clinch there - Sackett circles away.
Dzhumagaliev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sackett throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sackett takes a swing at Dzhumagaliev's ribcage but misses.
Sackett scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sackett lands a body shot.
Dzhumagaliev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dzhumagaliev slips a jab from Sackett.
Dzhumagaliev throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sackett is looking for a counter combo.
Sackett slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Dzhumagaliev lands a jab to the nose.
Sackett misses with a lunging right hand
letting Dzhumagaliev counter with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Nikolai Dzhumagaliev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Nikolai Dzhumagaliev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Dzhumagaliev pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sackett is out of range and Dzhumagaliev settles back down.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dzhumagaliev. Sackett does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dzhumagaliev moves out of range of the leg kick from Sackett.
Dzhumagaliev lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sackett tried to score with a low kick but Dzhumagaliev checks it.
Dzhumagaliev flicks out a counter leg kick but Sackett steps away.
Sackett throws a front kick aimed at Dzhumagaliev's knee but Dzhumagaliev avoids it well.
Dzhumagaliev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sackett checks a low kick from Dzhumagaliev.
A little feinted left hand from Sackett on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sackett connects with a leg kick. Dzhumagaliev looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Dzhumagaliev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dzhumagaliev gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Dzhumagaliev's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sackett lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sackett looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sackett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dzhumagaliev looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Dzhumagaliev lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sackett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sackett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sackett swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dzhumagaliev blocks an uppercut.
Dzhumagaliev lands a body punch.
Dzhumagaliev misses with a punch on the inside.
Sackett struggles to land a body shot inside as Dzhumagaliev controls his hands.
Sackett tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dzhumagaliev's elbow.
Dzhumagaliev swings wildly with an uppercut but Sackett uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dzhumagaliev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nolan Sackett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sackett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dzhumagaliev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dzhumagaliev pushes Sackett back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sackett blocks an uppercut.
Dzhumagaliev misses with some punches.
Dzhumagaliev gets through Sackett's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dzhumagaliev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sackett throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dzhumagaliev lands a shot to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sackett swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sackett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sackett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sackett throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dzhumagaliev blocks it with crossed arms.
Dzhumagaliev throws a head punch that misses.
Sackett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sackett dodges an elbow strike from Dzhumagaliev.
Sackett misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sackett misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzhumagaliev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sackett misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Dzhumagaliev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sackett closes the distance looking to clinch
and Dzhumagaliev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dzhumagaliev attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sackett seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Sackett with a jab.
Sackett lands a jab to the head.

Dzhumagaliev moves into range and clinches up with Sackett.
Sackett is working Dzhumagaliev over against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dzhumagaliev lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Dzhumagaliev manages to break the clinch.
Sackett scores with a crisp jab that stopped Dzhumagaliev in his tracks.
Dzhumagaliev blocks a leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sackett.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sackett throws an off balance right hand
and Dzhumagaliev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A lazy body kick from Dzhumagaliev
and Sackett counters with a leg kick.
Dzhumagaliev with a hook.
Dzhumagaliev takes a swing at Sackett's ribcage but misses.
Sackett was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Dzhumagaliev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sackett.
Dzhumagaliev throws a counter combo.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nikolai Dzhumagaliev.
Well Dzhumagaliev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 46:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 45:50
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Dzhumagaliev!
Nikolai Dzhumagaliev took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.