PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Islam Mamadaliev (ranked 4141 p4p, 415 weight class) and Shamil Magomedov (ranked 4346 p4p, 429 weight class). Shamil Magomedov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mamadaliev
vs
Magomedov

177 cm
25
157 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

180 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite 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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Islam Mamadaliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Shamil Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Radbod Blank and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mamadaliev shoots in for a takedown but Magomedov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shamil Magomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mamadaliev shoots for a takedown but Magomedov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mamadaliev is defended easily by Magomedov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Islam Mamadaliev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Magomedov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mamadaliev circles away.

Magomedov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Mamadaliev!
Magomedov avoids the strikes from the bottom by Mamadaliev.
Mamadaliev takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Mamadaliev sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Mamadaliev striking from half guard on the bottom.
Magomedov is nestled in close to Mamadaliev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nice strikes from Magomedov there.
Mamadaliev makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mamadaliev.
Magomedov working some strikes from top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Magomedov throws a strike but Mamadaliev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Magomedov wants to sweep here but Mamadaliev controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mamadaliev stands up over Magomedov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Magomedov 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.
Magomedov tries to strike from the bottom.
Mamadaliev advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magomedov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Magomedov taking some punishment here, with Mamadaliev in his half guard.
Mamadaliev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mamadaliev connects with a nice short shot to Magomedov's temple.
Mamadaliev winds up and cracks Magomedov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Magomedov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mamadaliev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mamadaliev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mamadaliev lands strikes from half guard.
Magomedov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nice strikes from Mamadaliev there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Magomedov missing with punches from the bottom.
Mamadaliev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mamadaliev 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.
Mamadaliev blocks the strikes from Magomedov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov landing rabbit punches to the side of Mamadaliev's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Mamadaliev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mamadaliev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Mamadaliev working Magomedov over with strikes.
Mamadaliev blocks the strikes from Magomedov.
Magomedov punching from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mamadaliev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Magomedov wants to improve his position but Mamadaliev is controlling well.
Magomedov looks winded!
Magomedov taking some punishment here, with Mamadaliev in his half guard.
Magomedov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Mamadaliev looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Magomedov is in trouble now - Mamadaliev has advanced to mount!
Magomedov taking shots to the head.
Mamadaliev working Magomedov over with strikes here.
Mamadaliev lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Mamadaliev raining down shots from the mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Magomedov throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Islam Mamadaliev dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mamadaliev fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Magomedov to the ground. Mamadaliev is now in Magomedov's guard.
Magomedov trying to strike off his back.
Mamadaliev working some strikes from top position.
Mamadaliev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mamadaliev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Magomedov can do to turn this around?
Magomedov trying to strike off his back.
Magomedov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Magomedov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mamadaliev throws a big right hand that misses.
Mamadaliev chips away with some ground and pound.
Mamadaliev working some strikes from top position.
Mamadaliev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Magomedov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Magomedov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Magomedov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mamadaliev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mamadaliev postures up in Magomedov's guard and throws a big left but Magomedov blocks it.
Mamadaliev works over Magomedov with some ground and pound from guard.
Mamadaliev is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mamadaliev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Magomedov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Magomedov striking off his back but it's not causing Mamadaliev any problems.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mamadaliev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Magomedov has momentary wrist control but Mamadaliev slips an elbow through the middle.
Magomedov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Magomedov looking for a sweep. Not yet Magomedov, not yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mamadaliev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mamadaliev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Magomedov's head.
Mamadaliev throwing strikes from guard but Magomedov blocks nicely.
Magomedov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mamadaliev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Magomedov's head.
Mamadaliev won't allow Magomedov to sweep him here.
Mamadaliev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Magomedov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Mamadaliev postures up in Magomedov's guard and throws a big left but Magomedov blocks it.
Magomedov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Magomedov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Magomedov tries to strike from the bottom.
Mamadaliev lands a couple of digs.
Mamadaliev stopping the sweep attempt from Magomedov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Mamadaliev landing some decent shots from 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 throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Magomedov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mamadaliev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Magomedov's head.
Magomedov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Mamadaliev lands a couple of digs.
Mamadaliev lands a couple of elbows.
Islam Mamadaliev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mamadaliev won't allow Magomedov to sweep him here.
Mamadaliev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Magomedov's head.
Magomedov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Mamadaliev stands up over Magomedov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Magomedov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Mamadaliev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mamadaliev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mamadaliev works over Magomedov with some ground and pound from guard.
Magomedov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Islam Mamadaliev dominated that second round.
That's time! Mamadaliev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Magomedov. No joy for Mamadaliev on that attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mamadaliev.
Magomedov shoots in and drives through. Mamadaliev sprawls well.
Mamadaliev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Mamadaliev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Mamadaliev lands a decent elbow from side control.
Magomedov is looking for a sweep.
Magomedov tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Mamadaliev working the ground and pound from side control.
Mamadaliev cracks Magomedov with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Mamadaliev lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Magomedov wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Mamadaliev landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Mamadaliev scores with a couple of short elbows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mamadaliev throws a strike aimed at the side of Magomedov's head but Magomedov avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov lands a little strike from the bottom.
Magomedov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Magomedov misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Magomedov is trying to get back to half guard.
Mamadaliev working the ground and pound.
Magomedov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Magomedov taking a bit of punishment here - Mamadaliev scoring with strikes.
Magomedov misses with a strike from the bottom.
Magomedov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mamadaliev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mamadaliev landing strikes.
Mamadaliev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Mamadaliev blocks the strikes from Magomedov.
Mamadaliev landing a few strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mamadaliev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Mamadaliev landing strikes.
Magomedov tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Mamadaliev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Mamadaliev lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Mamadaliev avoids the strikes from the bottom by Magomedov.
Magomedov misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Mamadaliev lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Magomedov down.
Magomedov taking punishment in the form of punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Magomedov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mamadaliev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Magomedov tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Mamadaliev lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Mamadaliev working the ground and pound.
Mamadaliev looks up at the clock and then as Magomedov takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Mamadaliev smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Mamadaliev working the head and body with strikes.
Magomedov is looking for a sweep.
Shamil Magomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Islam Mamadaliev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mamadaliev in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Magomedov taking a bit of punishment here - Mamadaliev scoring with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Islam Mamadaliev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mamadaliev, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:26
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Islam Mamadaliev!