PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shael Connen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sevak Magakian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Connen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Rock You Like a Hurricane. Magakian is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Sevak Magakian Highlights. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Sevak Magakian enters the cage!

Connen
vs
Magakian

175 cm
32
170 lbs
11 - 12 - 0

182 cm
32
183 lbs
7 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shael Connen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sevak Magakian!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Aafke Stam and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Magakian rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Connen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Connen closes the distance and pushes Magakian back into the cage.
Connen is trying to push Magakian away but Magakian has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Magakian has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Connen clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Connen can't escape the position.
Magakian just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Connen tries to roll but Magakian sticks to his back.

Magakian is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Connen is defending well though. Magakian let's go of the attempt for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Magakian is hanging on to Connen's back as he tries to escape.
A lull in the action here.
Magakian lands shots from the back.
Connen rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Magakian not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Magakian not doing much here.
Connen flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Magakian is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Connen sees it coming and defends easily.

Magakian wants to work for an arm triangle but Connen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Connen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Magakian on the ground.
Connen connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Connen is trying to get back to full guard.
Magakian has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Magakian is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Magakian stalling.
Connen works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Connen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Magakian is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Magakian won't allow Connen to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magakian wants to control from the top but Connen keeps moving.
Connen will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Connen scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Magakian jabs Connen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Connen gets tackled into the cage by Magakian. Magakian maintains the clinch.

Magakian manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Connen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Magakian works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Magakian is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Connen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Magakian is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magakian wants to stand up but Connen is controlling him.

Magakian is looking for a triangle but Connen pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Connen decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A chopping leg kick lands by Magakian.
Connen throws a head kick but Magakian moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Magakian closes this distance looking for a takedown but Connen circles away.
Magakian misses with a takedown attempt - Connen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Magakian closes this distance looking for a takedown but Connen circles away.
Shael Connen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sevak Magakian.
Magakian looks winded!
Connen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Connen gets a clinch.
Connen working hard to break the clinch.
Connen tries to break free but Magakian pushes him back against the cage.

Magakian turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Magakian manages to end up in side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Connen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Magakian wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Connen is pushing Magakian's head away, looking to escape. Magakian manages to hold on to the position though.
Connen tries to buck Magakian off but Magakian is having none of it.
Connen is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Connen gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Magakian unloading with bombs!
Magakian mounts Connen! Really nice guard pass there!
Magakian is landing with some decent strikes but Connen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Magakian is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Connen has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Connen is trying desperately to improve position.

Magakian quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Magakian but it's paid off an Connen is forced to tap! Nice work by Magakian.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Sevak Magakian!
An out of breath and clearly excited Sevak Magakian thanked 5th Round Clothing for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).