PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Nurmagomedov
vs
Diaz

183 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nate Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz jabs Nurmagomedov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Diaz misses the shot to the body.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range of the leg kick from Diaz.
Diaz throws a low kick but it's checked well by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nurmagomedov attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nurmagomedov slips a straight right by Diaz.
Nurmagomedov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz fails to land with a series of punches.
Nurmagomedov attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
Diaz misses with a wild body shot.
Nurmagomedov attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
Diaz misses with a few strikes there.
Diaz walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nurmagomedov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz tries to land a leg kick but Nurmagomedov saw it coming and moves away.
Diaz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Diaz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Diaz swinging wildly here.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
Diaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
Diaz throws a leg kick but Nurmagomedov checks it.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz throws out a loose jab but Nurmagomedov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nate Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz fails to land with a series of punches.
Nurmagomedov attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
Nate Diaz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Diaz scores with a three punch combo!
Diaz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz looks winded!
Nurmagomedov checks a leg kick.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Diaz misses with a low kick.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a takedown but Diaz is quick to defend against it.
Diaz scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diaz misses with a hook.
Diaz misses with a few strikes there.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz throws a right hand that Nurmagomedov ducks under and follows up with a left that Nurmagomedov also avoids with ease.
Diaz is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nurmagomedov rather than just go for the knockout.
Nurmagomedov checks a leg kick.
Diaz misses with a wild combination.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov avoids the body shot from Diaz.
Diaz misses the jab.
Diaz misses with a wild combination.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a takedown but Diaz is quick to defend against it.
Diaz throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nurmagomedov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Diaz throws a right and a left that Nurmagomedov avoids nicely.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range of the leg kick from Diaz.
Nurmagomedov attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
Diaz throws a big shot that misses.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz fails to land with a series of punches.
Nurmagomedov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a nice outside leg kick.
Diaz misses with a body shot.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
A slow jab from Diaz misses its intended target.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Diaz misses with a wild body shot.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Diaz throws a low kick, looking for Nurmagomedov's leg but Nurmagomedov calmly moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz tries to score with a low kick but Nurmagomedov moves his leg out of the way.
Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a takedown but Diaz is quick to defend against it.
Nurmagomedov dodges the punch combination from Diaz.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nurmagomedov checks a leg kick.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Nurmagomedov avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Diaz dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A combination from Diaz does no damage.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diaz throws a looping overhand right but Nurmagomedov ducks down to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz throws out a leg kick but Nurmagomedov moves out of range and Diaz only half commits.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Diaz misses with a double jab.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurmagomedov moves away.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz misses with a double jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diaz. Nurmagomedov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz throws out a leg kick but Nurmagomedov moves out of range and Diaz only half commits.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz wants to slow Nurmagomedov down by chopping away at his legs.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Nate Diaz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sloppy strikes from Diaz. Those never looked like landing.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz tries to work over Nurmagomedov's front leg with a kick but Nurmagomedov checks it.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Diaz takes a swing at Nurmagomedov's ribcage but misses.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Diaz throws a right hand that Nurmagomedov ducks under and follows up with a left that Nurmagomedov also avoids with ease.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Diaz.
Nurmagomedov slips a jab and a cross from Diaz.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a takedown but Diaz is quick to defend against it.
Diaz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Diaz misses with a body shot.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Diaz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Diaz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range as Diaz strikes.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Diaz throws a body shot but no joy.
Nurmagomedov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diaz.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz misses with a wild body shot.
Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov blocks a jab.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Diaz throws a leg kick that misses.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz takes a swing at Nurmagomedov's ribcage but misses.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nice defenses there by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Diaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz throws a low kick, looking for Nurmagomedov's leg but Nurmagomedov calmly moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov avoids them all with ease.
Nurmagomedov attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
Nurmagomedov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Diaz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nurmagomedov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Nurmagomedov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz misses with a double jab

and Nurmagomedov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Diaz's guard.
Nurmagomedov stops Diaz from standing up.
Nurmagomedov wants to stand but Diaz has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Diaz wants to stand but Nurmagomedov is controlling the position.
Diaz has a closed guard, preventing Nurmagomedov from standing up.
Nurmagomedov prevents Diaz from getting back to his feet.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nurmagomedov tries to stand but Diaz is controlling from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Nurmagomedov as he checks the leg kick.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov avoids them all with ease.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nurmagomedov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Diaz throws out the jab.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a takedown but Diaz is quick to defend against it.
Diaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Diaz.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz misses with a double jab.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Diaz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nurmagomedov attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Diaz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Diaz misses with a few strikes there.
Diaz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz throws a body punch but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a takedown but Diaz is quick to defend against it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nurmagomedov checks a leg kick.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Diaz misses with a body shot.
A punch combination from Diaz misses.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Diaz misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurmagomedov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Diaz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diaz throws a series of punches but Nurmagomedov avoids them all with ease.
Diaz wants to land a leg kick but Nurmagomedov is out of range.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Nurmagomedov blocks the low kick.
Nurmagomedov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nurmagomedov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Diaz tries to work over Nurmagomedov's front leg with a kick but Nurmagomedov checks it.
Diaz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Diaz misses the target.
Nurmagomedov moves out of range as Diaz strikes.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a takedown but Diaz is quick to defend against it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diaz. Nurmagomedov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nurmagomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A punch combination from Diaz misses.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Diaz.
Nurmagomedov attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nurmagomedov is able to avoid easily.
Diaz just misses with a punch to the body.
Diaz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
Diaz throws a leg kick that misses.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A punch combination from Diaz misses.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
Diaz fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nurmagomedov checks it well.
Diaz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurmagomedov moves away.
Diaz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nurmagomedov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sloppy strikes from Diaz. Those never looked like landing.
Diaz is looking to score with low kicks.
Nurmagomedov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Diaz throws a nice looking combination but Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diaz tries to score with a low kick but Nurmagomedov moves his leg out of the way.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
A punch combination from Diaz misses.
Diaz tries to work over Nurmagomedov's front leg with a kick but Nurmagomedov checks it.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Diaz misses with a body shot.
Diaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov checks a low kick from Diaz.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Diaz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Diaz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Nurmagomedov dodges the punch combination from Diaz.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Diaz.
A big right from Diaz misses.
Diaz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nurmagomedov circles away quickly and effectively.
Diaz tries to bum rush Nurmagomedov with a series of wild strikes but Nurmagomedov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Diaz misses the shot to the body.
Nurmagomedov feinted with a counter takedown.
Nurmagomedov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Diaz.
Nurmagomedov attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
Diaz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Diaz misses with the combination.
Nurmagomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diaz throws a body punch but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov tries to counter with a takedown but Diaz is quick to defend against it.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A looping hook to the body misses from Diaz. Nurmagomedov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nurmagomedov attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nate Diaz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Diaz 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 25:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 25:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nate Diaz!
Nate Diaz was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.