PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Quincy Shepard (ranked 5555 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 5547 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Shepard
vs
Nurmagomedov

188 cm
18
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Quincy Shepard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Daniel Bishop and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Shepard tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nurmagomedov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Nurmagomedov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmagomedov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Nurmagomedov wants to take a breather but Shepard manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Nurmagomedov.

Shepard is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shepard is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov won't allow Shepard to sweep him here.
Shepard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Shepard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nurmagomedov is working Shepard over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nurmagomedov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shepard. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Shepard is pulling down on Nurmagomedov's head to control his posture.
Nurmagomedov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Nurmagomedov is looking to work some ground and pound but Shepard has wrist control.
Nurmagomedov wants to stand but Shepard has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Shepard is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Nurmagomedov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shepard is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Shepard is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov is trying to maintain the position but Shepard is very close to passing his half guard.
Nurmagomedov is trying to get back to full guard.
Nurmagomedov tries to kick Shepard off in order to stand up. Shepard Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepard throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Nurmagomedov can't do much from the bottom here.
Nurmagomedov tries to improve position but can't.
Shepard tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Shepard scores with punches from side control.
Shepard working away.
Nurmagomedov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nurmagomedov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shepard in side control lands a decent elbow.
Nurmagomedov taking a bit of punishment here - Shepard scoring with strikes.

Shepard decides to stand up, so the ref orders Nurmagomedov to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard closes the distance but Nurmagomedov moves to the side

and Nurmagomedov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shepard won't be happy with that.

Shepard throws Nurmagomedov to one side and escapes!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shepard rushes Nurmagomedov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Shepard tries to pull guard but Nurmagomedov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Nurmagomedov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Shepard regains guard immediately.

Shepard wriggles free and stands up.
Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nurmagomedov throws a big shot that misses.
Shepard is looking to counter with head kicks.

Nurmagomedov forces Shepard back against the cage and clinches.

Shepard manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quincy Shepard dominated that round.
That's time! Shepard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shepard tries to sprawl but Nurmagomedov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Shepard manages to get to full guard.
Shepard wants to stand but Nurmagomedov is controlling the position.
Shepard seems keen to control Nurmagomedov's posture.
Nurmagomedov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shepard's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shepard flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nurmagomedov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Nurmagomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shepard keeps working.
Shepard tries to get to full guard but Nurmagomedov has control of the leg.
Shepard 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.
Nurmagomedov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shepard makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shepard.
Nurmagomedov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two 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.
Shepard is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shepard sprawls well. Shepard wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nurmagomedov gets slowly back to his feet.

Nurmagomedov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shepard, pushing him back against the cage.

Nurmagomedov pulls guard.
Shepard scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Shepard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nurmagomedov can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepard would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Shepard with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nurmagomedov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Nurmagomedov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Shepard has passed into half guard!
Nurmagomedov is breathing heavily.
Shepard controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nurmagomedov is trying to get back to full guard.

Shepard decides to stand and escape the position.

Nurmagomedov moves into the clinch.
Shepard is working for takedown but Nurmagomedov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Shepard has clasped his hands together around Nurmagomedov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Nurmagomedov sneaks out the side door and pushes Shepard away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Nurmagomedov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
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.
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!

Nurmagomedov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
As Nurmagomedov looks to move away, Shepard throws a big counter combo but Nurmagomedov just gets out of the way.
Nurmagomedov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shepard circles away quickly and effectively.
Shepard avoids the head kick by Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov takes the fight into the clinch.

Shepard manages to pull guard.
Nurmagomedov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shepard trying to keep a closed guard but Nurmagomedov is proving a slippery customer.
Shepard is really struggling to control Nurmagomedov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Shepard looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shepard escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nurmagomedov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Shepard is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nurmagomedov defends well.
Nurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Shepard keeps moving.

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 just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Shepard working a defensive guard here.

Shepard is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nurmagomedov defends well.
Shepard seems keen to control Nurmagomedov's posture.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Shepard keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Nurmagomedov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Shepard throws a head kick that misses.
Shepard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shepard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nurmagomedov throws the left hand but Shepard avoids the punch easily.
Shepard looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.

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.
Nurmagomedov looks for the body kick but Shepard saw that one coming.
Shepard tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nurmagomedov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nurmagomedov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shepard moves away.
Shepard feinted with a counter takedown.
Nurmagomedov misses with a wild combination.
Nurmagomedov throws a nice looking combination but Shepard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shepard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Shepard shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nurmagomedov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

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