PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Byung Soo Choi (ranked 3468 p4p, 0 weight class) and Magomedsaid Omarov (ranked 4731 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Byung Soo Choi has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Soo Choi
vs
Omarov

178 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
158 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Byung Soo Choi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magomedsaid Omarov!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Jonathan Paton and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Choi misses with a head kick.
A big right from Choi misses.
Omarov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Omarov avoids the head kick by Choi.
Choi throws a head kick but Omarov moves out of range.
Omarov blocks a head kick by Choi.
Choi tries a head kick but it misses.
Choi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick by Choi misses

and Omarov counters by moving into the clinch.
Choi is trying to break free.
Choi is trying to break the clinch but Omarov is controlling him.

Omarov breaks the clinch.

Omarov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Choi napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Choi is trying to get back to his feet.

Omarov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Choi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Omarov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Omarov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Choi is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Omarov.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Omarov wants to pass to mount but Choi is defending the position.
Omarov lands strikes from half guard.
Choi is trying to stand up here but Omarov is controlling him well.
Choi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Omarov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Omarov in particular looking to stall.
Choi pushes Omarov off looking to stand but Omarov dives back in and keeps control.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Omarov in particular looking to stall.
Let's hope that Omarov 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.
Omarov winds up and cracks Choi with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Omarov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Choi is trying to stand up here but Omarov is controlling him well.
Omarov stalling.
Choi is trying to stand.
Omarov moves nicely into side control.
A lull in the action here as Omarov stalls from top position.
Omarov scores with a couple of short elbows.
Choi prevents Omarov from improving position.
Choi is trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Omarov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Choi is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Omarov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Omarov tries to move into full mount but can't pass Choi's legs.

Omarov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Choi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Omarov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Choi is pushing Omarov's head away, looking to escape. Omarov manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four 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.
Choi is trying to escape the position but Omarov is controlling the position.
Choi is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Omarov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Omarov is working Choi over with some ground and pound from side control.
Omarov scores with a couple of short elbows.
Omarov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Choi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Omarov controlling the position.
Choi is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Omarov asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Choi throws Omarov to one side and escapes!

Omarov closes the distance and pushes Choi back into the cage.

Omarov pulls guard.

Omarov is working an open guard so Choi takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magomedsaid Omarov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Choi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Omarov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Choi to the ground. Omarov is now in Choi's guard.
Choi wants to stand and escape but Omarov is having none of it.
Omarov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Choi's head.
Choi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Omarov is controlling him.
Omarov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Choi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Omarov trying to control but Choi is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Omarov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Omarov wants to control from the top but Choi keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Omarov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Omarov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Choi's head.
Choi is looking to stand up but Omarov isn't so interested in that idea.
Omarov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Omarov stops Choi from standing up.

Omarov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Choi manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Omarov has Choi in his guard.

Choi wants to get up but he can't break Omarov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Omarov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Omarov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Omarov 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.
Choi wants to get up but he can't break Omarov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Choi won't allow Omarov to sweep him here.
Omarov trying to strike off his back.
Omarov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Choi stands up and waves to Omarov to follow him.
Choi throws a nice looking combination but Omarov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Omarov throws a body punch but Choi moves out of range.
Byung Soo Choi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Choi lands with a kick to the temple. Omarov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head kick misses from Choi.

Omarov drives through and clinches with Choi against the cage.
Choi working hard to break the clinch.
Omarov has Choi pressed against the cage, preventing Choi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Omarov breaks from the clinch.
Omarov blocks a head kick by Choi.

Omarov has managed to clinch.
Choi is looking to break free of the clinch but Omarov has double underhooks.
Choi tries to circle away but Omarov has him pinned against the cage.
Choi wants to break the clinch but can't.

Omarov has clasped his hands together around Choi's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Choi throws Omarov to one side and escapes!

Omarov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Omarov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Choi avoids it.
Choi can't break the clinch.
Choi working hard to break the clinch.
Omarov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Omarov pulls guard.
Choi prevents Omarov from getting back to his feet.
Choi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Omarov is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Choi stopping the sweep attempt from Omarov.
Omarov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Choi stops Omarov from standing up.
Magomedsaid Omarov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Omarov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Choi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Choi tries to stand but Omarov is controlling from the bottom.

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

Excellent takedown into side control there by Omarov.
Choi trying to remain calm as Omarov controls from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Magomedsaid Omarov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Omarov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Choi to the mat! Choi manages to get full guard.
Choi wants to stand and escape but Omarov is having none of it.
Omarov landing with the ground and pound.
Omarov won't allow Choi to get back to his feet.
Omarov lands a couple of digs.
Omarov stays in close to Choi's body and controls the position.
Choi has momentary wrist control but Omarov slips an elbow through the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Choi wants to stand but Omarov is controlling the position.
Omarov content to stall in guard here.
Omarov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Choi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Choi uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Choi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Byung Soo Choi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Omarov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Choi on his heels. He'll look to pass Choi's guard now, I'm sure.
Choi keeping full guard, as Omarov tries to pass.

Omarov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Omarov works over Choi with some ground and pound from guard.
Omarov wanted to stand there but Choi had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Omarov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Choi wants to stand but Omarov is controlling the position.
Omarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Choi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Omarov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Choi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Omarov stays in close to Choi's body and controls the position.
Omarov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Choi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Omarov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Omarov controlling from the top position.
Choi is looking to stand up but Omarov isn't so interested in that idea.
Choi has momentary wrist control but Omarov slips an elbow through the middle.
Omarov wants to pass the guard but Choi is keeping the position.
Omarov wants to control from the top but Choi keeps moving.
Omarov stops Choi from standing up.
Omarov wants to get up but he can't break Choi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Choi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Omarov is controlling him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Omarov avoids the head kick by Choi.

Omarov clinches with his opponent.

Omarov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Omarov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Choi to the mat! Choi manages to get full guard.
Omarov tries to free his leg and advance position but Choi is retaining full guard.
Omarov content to stall in guard here.
Omarov lands a couple of digs.
Choi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Omarov is controlling him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Omarov looking to pass the guard.
Byung Soo Choi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Magomedsaid Omarov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Omarov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Magomedsaid Omarov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Omarov 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Magomedsaid Omarov!