Damon reversed direction, reached over the back, and used a judo whizzer counter to whip Nankalayev off-balance. Both men hit the mat in a scramble.
"High-level stuff right here!"
Damon got a hook in, then the second. He flattened Nankalayev's base, arms under the armpits now, controlling the back. He started to punch again. short shots to the temple.
Thirty seconds left in the round.
Victor shouted, "Go now! Take it!"
Damon slid one arm under the chin. Nankalayev tucked. Damon adjusted. Instead of forcing it, he switched to the seatbelt grip again, riding the back while throwing a right hook to the ribs.
Nankalayev twisted. He nearly shook him. But Damon stayed glued to him like a vice.
With twenty seconds left, Damon faked the choke, then posted and began raining short hammerfists. Nankalayev covered, twisted, then used the opening to explode and turn inside the hook.
They reversed again. Nankalayev ended on top, inside Damon's closed guard, but it wasn't clean.
