PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maro Veljanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ramazan Magomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Veljanovski
vs
Magomedov

182 cm
23
212 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Maro Veljanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ramazan Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Aafke Stam and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Veljanovski scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Veljanovski wants to take a breather but Magomedov is having none of it.
Magomedov is looking to get back to full guard here but Veljanovski has managed to pass to side control instead.
Veljanovski wants to control but Magomedov is keeping him busy.
Magomedov is trying to get back to half guard.
Magomedov seems a little lost for a moment, as Veljanovski dominates the positioning.
You can see the frustration on Magomedov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Veljanovski has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Veljanovski pinned against the cage. Veljanovski gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov shoots for a takedown but Veljanovski saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Magomedov shoots for a takedown but Veljanovski saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Maro Veljanovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ramazan Magomedov.

Veljanovski shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Veljanovski was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Magomedov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Magomedov is trying is best to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Veljanovski controlling the pace.
Veljanovski wants to control but Magomedov is keeping him busy.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Veljanovski lands a nice short elbow.
Veljanovski lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Veljanovski is looking for a kimura here.
Well, if Veljanovski is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is looking to improve his position.

Veljanovski is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Magomedov defends it well.
Magomedov is controlling Veljanovski's trapped leg to prevent Veljanovski from advancing to side control.
Magomedov wants to get back to full guard but Veljanovski has passed into side control.
Veljanovski scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's four 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.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Magomedov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Magomedov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Veljanovski remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Veljanovski is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Magomedov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Magomedov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Magomedov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Veljanovski. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Magomedov regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maro Veljanovski dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Magomedov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Magomedov goes for a double leg but Veljanovski avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Veljanovski continues to drive forward.
Veljanovski takes a swing at Magomedov's ribcage but misses.
Magomedov staying out of range there.
Magomedov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Veljanovski shoots in for a takedown but Magomedov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Veljanovski gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Magomedov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Veljanovski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Magomedov won't allow Veljanovski to get back to his feet.

Veljanovski is looking to cinch up a triangle. Magomedov throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Veljanovski's body to avoid the submission. Veljanovski has instead reached around Magomedov's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Veljanovski arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Maro Veljanovski!