PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rashid Magomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Rydeland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Magomedov comes to the cage accompanied by Chris Brown - See You Again Feat. Tyga & Wiz Khalifa. Rydeland has chosen Robbery - Not sneak attack as his entrance music. John Rydeland has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Magomedov
vs
Rydeland

180 cm
25
194 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

185 cm
22
190 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rashid Magomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Rydeland!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Patrick Alders and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Magomedov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rydeland is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Magomedov is looking for a kimura here.

Rydeland is defending against the submission attempts here by Magomedov.
Rydeland is pressing down on Magomedov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rydeland keeping moving, preventing Magomedov from controlling successfully.
Magomedov looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Magomedov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rydeland is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rydeland has escaped and now he's on top!

Magomedov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rydeland postures up in Magomedov's guard and throws a big left but Magomedov blocks it.
Rydeland passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rydeland wants to control but Magomedov is keeping him busy.
Magomedov takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Magomedov is not content to let Rydeland control the position.
Rydeland controls the position.
Rydeland lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Magomedov down.
Rydeland prevents Magomedov from escaping the position.
Magomedov is looking to reverse the position.
Magomedov is trying to escape the position but Rydeland is controlling the position.
Magomedov taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is letting Rydeland control him for a moment.
Magomedov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Rydeland trying to control the action but Magomedov is working from the bottom.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Magomedov tries to buck Rydeland off but Rydeland is having none of it.
Magomedov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Magomedov is trying to get back to half guard.
Rydeland lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Magomedov down.
Magomedov taking a bit of punishment here - Rydeland scoring with strikes.
Magomedov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Magomedov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Magomedov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rydeland is just riding it out for now. Magomedov eventually gives up the hold.
Rydeland holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Magomedov is working for a submission of some sort.
Rydeland missing with punches from the bottom.

Magomedov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rydeland is just riding it out for now. Magomedov eventually gives up the hold.

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

Magomedov seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Rydeland has recovered full guard.
Rydeland bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Magomedov's guard.

Rydeland works over Magomedov with some ground and pound from guard.

Magomedov has his foot on Rydeland's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rydeland works his way back into a safe position though.
Rydeland wants to control from the top but Magomedov keeps moving.
Rydeland lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Magomedov keeping moving, preventing Rydeland from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Magomedov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rydeland is aware though and is defending well.

Magomedov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Magomedov has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Rydeland doesn't defend quickly enough and Magomedov has managed to lock this one up! Can Rydeland escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Magomedov on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Rashid Magomedov!
After the fight, Rashid Magomedov was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.