PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marat Magomedov (ranked 711 p4p, 88 weight class) and Rudy Rhod (ranked 527 p4p, 63 weight class). Magomedov comes to the cage accompanied by Evangelion OST - The Beast II. Marat Magomedov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Magomedov
vs
Rhod

178 cm
29
160 lbs
16 - 6 - 1

180 cm
29
162 lbs
16 - 9 - 2

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Arcticus University: London
Bee Krazy

Groove Gear

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 16 - 6 - 1, fighting out of London, Marat Magomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 2, fighting out of New York, Rudy Rhod!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Magomedov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Donk. Magomedov catches Rhod right on the button with a cross.
That kick from Rhod tenderised Magomedov's leg. Magomedov is trying to keep his angry face on.

Magomedov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rhod's half guard.
Magomedov is keen to just control but Rhod is a slippery customer.
Magomedov tries to pass to full mount but Rhod defends it.
Rhod is not content to let Magomedov control the position.
Magomedov throws a strike but Rhod avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov wants to pass the guard but Rhod is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Magomedov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Magomedov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rhod swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Magomedov wants to control from the top but Rhod keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov throwing strikes but missing.
Magomedov throws a strike but Rhod rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Magomedov is trying to keep Rhod in close.
Magomedov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rhod controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two 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.
Magomedov is trying to keep Rhod in close.
Magomedov looking for a sweep. Not yet Magomedov, not yet.
Rhod controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Let's hope that Rhod has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Magomedov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
An attempted straight right counter from Magomedov misses the target.
Rudy Rhod is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Magomedov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhod throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rhod takes a swing at Magomedov's ribcage but misses.
Rhod lands with an uppercut that bounces Magomedov off the cage and back into range.
Rhod moves out of range as Magomedov throws a body kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Magomedov as he connects with a hook.
Magomedov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Magomedov takes a jab right on the kisser.

It looks like Marat Magomedov has been cut.
Rhod takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Magomedov thuds his right hand into Rhod's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Rhod instigates a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Magomedov fails to land.
Rhod scores with a shoulder strike.
Rhod lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rhod breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Magomedov wants to clinch up but Rhod keeps it at a distance.
Magomedov throws a leg kick which misses Rhod's front leg but catches the back leg as Rhod tries to avoid it.
Magomedov throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Rhod counter with a right hand.
Magomedov takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov wants to land a leg kick but Rhod is out of range.
Magomedov thuds his right hand into Rhod's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rhod misses with a body kick.
Rhod swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Magomedov counters with a leg kick.
Magomedov tries to clinch up.
Marat Magomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Magomedov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Magomedov throws a sloppy head kick and Rhod moves out of range easily.
Rhod flicks out a counter leg kick but Magomedov steps away.
Magomedov scores with a sloppy right hand. Rhod should have avoided that one.
Rhod misses with a body shot.
Rhod ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Magomedov moves away.
An attempted straight right counter from Magomedov misses the target.
Magomedov scores with a jab. Rhod acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rhod is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Magomedov rather than just go for the knockout.
Magomedov throws a big shot that misses.
Rhod throws a half hearted mid kick.

Rhod clinches up with Magomedov and pushes him back against the cage.

Rhod is fighting off a takedown attempt but Magomedov is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Rhod to the mat. Rhod regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Magomedov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marat Magomedov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Marat Magomedov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rhod walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
It looks like Magomedov has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Rhod throws a big shot that misses.
Rhod blocks a head kick by Magomedov.

Magomedov closes the distance and pushes Rhod back into the cage.
Magomedov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rhod misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Rhod breaks the clinch.

Rhod gets a clinch.

Magomedov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Magomedov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rhod managing to control the position.
Magomedov throws a strike but Rhod rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Magomedov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhod controls from within his opponent's guard.

Magomedov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rhod defends well.
Rhod trying to control but Magomedov is working from the bottom.
Magomedov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rhod is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
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.
Rhod not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Magomedov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rhod looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhod misses with a body kick.
Rhod walks into a jab.
Magomedov looks to clinch
and Rhod counters with a stiff right hand.
Magomedov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rhod will feel that in the morning.
Nice body punch from Magomedov.
Marat Magomedov is winning the standup battle so far.
Magomedov cracks Rhod with an open hand slap.

Magomedov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rhod looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rhod taking a bit of punishment here - Magomedov scoring with strikes.
Rhod parries the strikes from Magomedov easily there. Magomedov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Rhod to escape.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Magomedov swings around for an armbar but Rhod sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Magomedov's guard.

Magomedov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rhod showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhod's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Magomedov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marat Magomedov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Marat Magomedov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Magomedov fails with the takedown
and Rhod counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Magomedov thinking.

Rhod moves into the clinch.
Rhod lands a right hand that snaps the head of Magomedov backwards.
Magomedov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rhod lands a nice uppercut.
Magomedov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rhod's elbow.
Rhod is trying to stall.
Rhod tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Magomedov's elbow.
Rhod throws a head punch that misses.
Rhod goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Magomedov scores with a nice short uppercut.

Rhod breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rhod takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Magomedov lands a nice shot to the body.

Rhod gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Magomedov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Magomedov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Magomedov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov misses with a punch on the inside.
Rhod tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Magomedov is working Rhod over against the cage.
A short right from Magomedov on the inside.
Magomedov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rhod blocks a body shot from Magomedov.
A right handed body shot lands from Magomedov.
Magomedov can't find room to land a body shot as Rhod controls the action.

Rhod manages to break the clinch.
Rhod tries to move into range but Magomedov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Magomedov scores with a kick to the body.
Rhod throws a body punch but Magomedov moves out of range.
Magomedov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rhod.
Rhod lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Rhod connects with a looping right hand.
Magomedov swings for the body but Rhod moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Magomedov looks to land a left hand but Rhod moved out of range nicely.
Magomedov lunges at Rhod with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rhod's hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov throws a lazy body kick
and Rhod counters with a good low kick that Magomedov was not able to check.
Rhod misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Magomedov.
A little feinted left hand from Magomedov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Magomedov slips a straight right by Rhod.
It appears Magomedov was looking to counter with a kick there.
Magomedov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rhod misses with a hook. Magomedov ducked under it nicely.
Magomedov lands a right hook to the body.
Magomedov misses with a body kick.
Magomedov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rhod.
Magomedov shoots in but no luck this time.
Rhod doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Magomedov misses with a looping right.
Rhod goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rhod uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Magomedov.
Rhod jabs Magomedov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rhod ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Magomedov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rhod.
Rhod dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Magomedov. That did some damage!

Rhod tries to keep at a distance but Magomedov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Magomedov blocks an uppercut.
Magomedov tries to score a body lock takedown but Rhod shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marat Magomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rhod throws a punch but it's blocked by Magomedov.
Rhod misses with the head strike.
Rhod prevents a takedown attempt there.
Magomedov throws a punch but it's blocked by Rhod.
Rhod throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Magomedovs head.
A head punch on the inside from Magomedov fails to land.
Rhod lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rhod blocking some punches.
Still in the clinch, Rhod scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rhod tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rhod digs a right hand into Magomedov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Magomedov's gas tank.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Magomedov goes for a takedown attempt but Rhod pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nice shot lands for Rhod.
Rudy Rhod has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Magomedov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A jab from Rhod misses.
Magomedov moves out of range of the body kick from Rhod.
Magomedov moves out of range as Rhod strikes.

Magomedov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rhod has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Magomedov is working away from the top position though.
Rhod is doing well to control the position and prevent Magomedov from advancing to side control.
Rhod is not content to let Magomedov control the position.
Magomedov throws a strike but Rhod avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rudy Rhod.
I think Magomedov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marat Magomedov!
A victorious Marat Magomedov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.