PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Isa Musaev (ranked 4172 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ibragim Magomedov (ranked 25117 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Musaev
vs
Magomedov

177 cm
25
156 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

177 cm
19
155 lbs
5 - 16 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Isa Musaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ibragim Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Musaev rushes Magomedov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Musaev is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Magomedov can't fight it off and eventually Musaev manages to take the fight to the floor. Magomedov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Musaev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Musaev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Magomedov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Musaev is aware though and is defending well.
Musaev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Magomedov on the ground.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Magomedov is on top in guard.

Magomedov wants to control from the top but Musaev keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Musaev trying to control the position here.
Magomedov preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musaev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Magomedov desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Musaev is controlling the pace.
Magomedov wants to get back to full guard.
Musaev is controlling the pace.

Musaev stands up and beckons Magomedov to join him on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Musaev scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Ibragim Magomedov has been cut.

Musaev shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Magomedov's guard.
Magomedov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Magomedov wants to hit a switch here but Musaev passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Magomedov there!
Magomedov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Magomedov manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Musaev decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Musaev clinches up with Magomedov and pushes him back against the cage.
Musaev stalling.
Magomedov lands a good knee to the midsection. Musaev won't want to take too many of those.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Musaev pulls guard successfully.

Musaev throws his legs up looking for a submission but Magomedov uses it to pass to side control.
Magomedov taking a breather here.
Magomedov wants to stand but Musaev has his arm trapped.
Musaev is looking for a sweep.
Musaev can't do much from the bottom here.
Magomedov has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Musaev!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov lands a big elbow.
Magomedov with shots to the head and body - Musaev looks very uncomfortable down there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Musaev holds of for dear life.
Magomedov with the ground and pound from mount.

Magomedov working for a submission but Musaev is keeping him at bay.
Musaev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isa Musaev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ibragim Magomedov's cut.
That's time! Musaev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Magomedov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Musaev moves into the clinch.
Magomedov can't get the takedown.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Magomedov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Isa Musaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ibragim Magomedov.
Musaev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Magomedov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Musaev walks away with a smile on his face. Magomedov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Magomedov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Musaev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Magomedov somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov tries to clinch up.

Musaev scores with a takedown into Magomedov's guard.
Magomedov being controlled here, momentarily.

Magomedov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Isa Musaev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Magomedov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musaev wants to control from the top but Magomedov keeps moving.
Musaev is stalling in the full guard.
Musaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Magomedov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Musaev landing with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Magomedov is looking to sweep but instead, Musaev has passed into half guard.
Magomedov is not content to let Musaev control the position.
Magomedov is looking to control Musaev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Magomedov avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Magomedov tries to get to full guard but Musaev has control of the leg.
Musaev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Musaev 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. Musaev eventually gives up the hold.
Musaev lands with a punch from half guard.
Musaev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Magomedov keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Musaev is pressing down on Magomedov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Magomedov is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musaev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Magomedov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Magomedov actively working from the bottom here.
Musaev is trying to control the action in half guard but Magomedov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Magomedov missing with punches from the bottom.
Magomedov trying to control from the bottom.
Magomedov is positioning himself well to prevent Musaev advancing to mount.
Still in half guard, Musaev seems content to control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Magomedov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Magomedov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Musaev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Magomedov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four 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.
Musaev sitting in guard here, content to control.

Magomedov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Musaev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Musaev won't allow Magomedov to get back to his feet.
Musaev seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Musaev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Magomedov, pushing him back against the cage.
Magomedov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Musaev just stands there and leans against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Magomedov manages to break the clinch.

Magomedov gets caught napping as Musaev dives in and scores a takedown. Magomedov manages to retain guard.

Musaev stands and steps away. Magomedov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isa Musaev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ibragim Magomedov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Musaev rushes Magomedov and presses him up against the cage.

Magomedov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Magomedov shoots in looking for a takedown. Musaev tries to sprawl out of it but Magomedov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Musaev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Isa Musaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Musaev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Magomedov sprawls well initially but Musaev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Musaev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov trying to control here.
Musaev trying to control from half guard but Magomedov is working away.
Musaev throwing shots but Magomedov is blocking nicely.
Magomedov wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musaev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Magomedov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Musaev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Magomedov can do to turn this around?
Musaev makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Magomedov wants to sweep here but Musaev controlling him for the moment.
Magomedov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Musaev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Musaev chips away with some ground and pound.
Musaev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Musaev trying to control but Magomedov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Musaev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Musaev wants to control from the top but Magomedov keeps moving.
Magomedov keeping full guard, as Musaev tries to pass.
Musaev content to stall in guard here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Magomedov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Musaev advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musaev is trying to control the action in half guard but Magomedov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
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.
Magomedov is trying to stand.
Magomedov moves into full guard.
Musaev stops Magomedov from standing up.
Musaev throwing strikes from guard but Magomedov blocks nicely.
Magomedov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Musaev's guard.

Magomedov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Magomedov preventing the sweep.

Musaev has an active guard here but Magomedov has managed to pass into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is trying to control. Musaev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Musaev is trying to get back to full guard.

Musaev actively working from the bottom here.
Magomedov passes to full mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Musaev can't escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Isa Musaev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Musaev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Isa Musaev!