PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Magomedrasul Hasbullaev (ranked 4565 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Lowery (ranked 4744 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hasbullaev
vs
Lowery

178 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

178 cm
25
154 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Magomedrasul Hasbullaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Lowery!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Lowery does no damage.
Hasbullaev tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Lowery manages to circle out of the way.

Lowery is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hasbullaev's half guard.
Hasbullaev is looking to get back to is feet but Lowery passes into side control.

Lowery has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Lowery clinches.
Hasbullaev gets underhooks to prevent Lowery's takedown attempt.
Lowery wants a takedown but no success here.

Lowery manages to pull guard.
Hasbullaev stopping the sweep attempt from Lowery.
Lowery has a closed guard, preventing Hasbullaev from standing up.
Hasbullaev controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hasbullaev's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Lowery working for a triangle but Hasbullaev defends it easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lowery is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hasbullaev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Hasbullaev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lowery doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lowery manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Lowery drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lowery jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lowery sitting in guard here, content to control.

Lowery drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lowery jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Lowery trying to control the position from guard on top but Hasbullaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lowery stands and steps away. Hasbullaev gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Lowery shoots and misses
and Hasbullaev counters with a series of strikes. Lowery will be more careful next time no doubt.
Magomedrasul Hasbullaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Lowery.
Some wild striking there from Hasbullaev.
Lowery shoots in for a double leg but Hasbullaev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It looked like Hasbullaev was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Lowery is looking to clinch.

Hasbullaev gets a clinch.
Lowery tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hasbullaev effectively controlling the action here.
Lowery wants to take the fight to the mat but Hasbullaev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hasbullaev jumps guard and drags Lowery to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Lowery loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lowery is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Lowery avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hasbullaev keeping moving, preventing Lowery from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lowery tries to free his leg and advance position but Hasbullaev is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alex Lowery will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lowery takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hasbullaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lowery replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Hasbullaev blocks it well.
Lowery shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hasbullaev as he avoids it easily.
Hasbullaev misses with a body shot.
Lowery looks to land a body kick but Hasbullaev moved away.
Lowery misses with a takedown attempt - Hasbullaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lowery tries for a takedown but Hasbullaev circles away easily

and Hasbullaev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hasbullaev.

Lowery manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Magomedrasul Hasbullaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Lowery.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Lowery avoiding damage as Hasbullaev throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lowery misses with a punch to the body.

Lowery pulls Hasbullaev into guard.
Lowery is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hasbullaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Lowery is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lowery wants to stand up but Hasbullaev is controlling him.

Lowery working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hasbullaev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hasbullaev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lowery can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hasbullaev controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hasbullaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Lowery is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hasbullaev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lowery on the ground.
Lowery is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hasbullaev trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Lowery manages to pass to mount!
Lowery controlling his opponent.
Lowery throwing strikes here but Hasbullaev is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hasbullaev is trying to stand but he's just given Lowery his back.

Lowery has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Hasbullaev has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Hasbullaev prevents Lowery from getting a body triangle.
Hasbullaev is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Hasbullaev is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hasbullaev trying to control the hands but Lowery won't let him.

Lowery is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Hasbullaev knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Hasbullaev for a finish.

Lowery is looking for the choke from the back position but Hasbullaev is controlling his hands well.

Lowery is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Hasbullaev has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hasbullaev avoids the strikes from Lowery.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Lowery showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hasbullaev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hasbullaev moves into the clinch.

Hasbullaev turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Lowery is looking for a sweep.
Lowery manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Lowery has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hasbullaev is working away from the top position though.
Lowery makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lowery.
Hasbullaev sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lowery pulls Hasbullaev in close to his closed guard and prevents Hasbullaev from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lowery tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hasbullaev sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hasbullaev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hasbullaev landing with the ground and pound.

Lowery looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Lowery has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hasbullaev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lowery takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lowery has a closed guard, preventing Hasbullaev from standing up.
Hasbullaev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hasbullaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Lowery is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hasbullaev controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lowery working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Hasbullaev clinches with his opponent.
Lowery trying to land knees to the body.
Hasbullaev gets underhooks to prevent Lowery's takedown attempt.
Hasbullaev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lowery avoids it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hasbullaev takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hasbullaev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hasbullaev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hasbullaev leaning against his opponent.

Lowery jumps guard.
Alex Lowery has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lowery is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Lowery is looking for a triangle but Hasbullaev pushes his legs off easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lowery is on top in guard.

Lowery prevents Hasbullaev from getting back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lowery trying to control the position from guard on top but Hasbullaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Magomedrasul Hasbullaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alex Lowery is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lowery has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alex Lowery.
I've got Lowery winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alex Lowery!