PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Isa Musaev (ranked 2543 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ibragim Magomedov (ranked 25047 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Musaev
vs
Magomedov

177 cm
25
156 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

177 cm
20
155 lbs
5 - 19 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 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 - 19 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ibragim Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Musaev shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Musaev showed some decent athleticism there.
Magomedov tries to kick Musaev off but Musaev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Magomedov tries to get to full guard but Musaev has control of the leg.
Musaev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Magomedov is looking for a sweep. Musaev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Musaev drops an elbow to the side of Magomedov's head.
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.
Musaev trying to control the pace.
Magomedov is looking to escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov trying to control here.

Musaev gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Musaev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musaev content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Magomedov can't do much from the bottom here.

Musaev is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Magomedov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
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 sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Magomedov is defending against the submission attempts here by Musaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Magomedov desperately trying to maintain half guard.
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 moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Magomedov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Magomedov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Magomedov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Magomedov pushing down on Musaev's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Musaev is trying is best to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musaev trying to control but Magomedov postures up.
Musaev tries to kick Magomedov off but Magomedov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Musaev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Musaev looks like he's trying to stand up.
Magomedov is taking a breather. Musaev says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Musaev is controlling Magomedov's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Musaev is trying to stand.

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

Musaev forces Magomedov back against the cage and clinches.
Magomedov goes for a takedown attempt but Musaev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Musaev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Musaev feinted with a counter takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Magomedov tries to sprawl but Musaev drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Magomedov looks winded!
Magomedov won't allow Musaev to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isa Musaev dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Musaev is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Magomedov's half guard.

Musaev decides to stand up.

Musaev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Magomedov explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Musaev pushes Magomedov up against the cage in a clinch.
Magomedov is working for takedown but Musaev is calmly controlling the position for now.
Magomedov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Musaev as Magomedov tries to tie him up.
Magomedov looking for a takedown.

Musaev lands a takedown into guard.
Magomedov keeping full guard, as Musaev tries to pass.
Musaev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Magomedov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov keeping full guard, as Musaev tries to pass.
Magomedov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Magomedov wants to sweep but no luck.
Musaev postures up and lands a big shot to Magomedov's brow.
Magomedov wants to stand up but Musaev is controlling him.
Musaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
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.
Musaev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Magomedov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Musaev is controlling him.
Isa Musaev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Musaev controlling from the top position.
Musaev chips away with some ground and pound.
Magomedov working a defensive guard here.

Musaev stands up from Magomedov's guard - Musaev perhaps looking for a knockout.
Magomedov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Musaev decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Magomedov's guard.
Isa Musaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ibragim Magomedov.
Musaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Musaev stays in close to Magomedov's body and controls the position.
Musaev wants to pass the guard but Magomedov is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Magomedov controls Musaev momentarily but Musaev frees himself.
Musaev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Musaev advances position into side control!
Magomedov prevents Musaev from moving into mount.
Musaev trying to control the action but Magomedov is working from the bottom.

Musaev stands up and beckons Magomedov to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Musaev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Magomedov.

Musaev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Magomedov did well to prevent Musaev getting side control.
Musaev drops an elbow to the side of Magomedov's head.
Musaev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Magomedov can do to turn this around?
Magomedov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Magomedov wants to improve his position but Musaev is controlling well.
Magomedov works his way to full guard. Good work.

Musaev gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Musaev closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Magomedov quickly recovers to half guard.

Musaev escapes and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Musaev gets a takedown into half guard.
Musaev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isa Musaev dominated that second round.
That's time! Musaev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Musaev pushes Magomedov up against the cage in a clinch.

Musaev manages to break the clinch.

Musaev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Magomedov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Musaev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Magomedov is keeping the position for now.
Magomedov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Musaev tries to free his leg and advance position but Magomedov is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Musaev controlling from the top position.
Magomedov trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musaev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magomedov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Magomedov tries to strike from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Musaev drives through with a takedown into Magomedov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Musaev is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Magomedov keeping full guard, as Musaev tries to pass.
Magomedov keeping moving, preventing Musaev from controlling successfully.
Magomedov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Musaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Musaev gets to his feet - Magomedov follows without any prompting.
Magomedov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Magomedov clinches with his opponent.
Magomedov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Musaev prevents it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Magomedov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Musaev regains guard immediately.
Musaev seems keen to control Magomedov's posture.
Magomedov works over Musaev with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Musaev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Magomedov is aware though and is defending well.
Magomedov being controlled here momentarily.
Musaev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Magomedov on the ground.
Musaev wants to stand but Magomedov is controlling the position.
Musaev seems keen to control Magomedov's posture.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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

Musaev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Musaev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Magomedov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Magomedov looking to control.

Magomedov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Musaev defends it easily.
Musaev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Magomedov is working an open guard so Musaev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Musaev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

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