PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rashid Magomedhanov (ranked 3912 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shik Jang (ranked 7117 p4p, 0 weight class). Magomedhanov has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Rashid Magomedhanov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Magomedhanov
vs
Jang

170 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
159 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
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, Rashid Magomedhanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shik Jang!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Steve Montenegro and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jang goes for a double leg but Magomedhanov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Magomedhanov continues to drive forward.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jang looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Magomedhanov misses with a two punch combination.
Jang drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Magomedhanov defends it well.
Magomedhanov is breathing heavily.

Magomedhanov forces Jang back against the cage and clinches.
Jang has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Magomedhanov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Jang is looking to break free of the clinch but Magomedhanov has double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jang has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Magomedhanov after a bit of a struggle.
Rashid Magomedhanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shik Jang.
Jang tries to score a body lock takedown but Magomedhanov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Magomedhanov prevents Jang from breaking the clinch.
Magomedhanov slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jang tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jang tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Magomedhanov trying to land knees to the body.
Jang wants to get back to striking at distance but Magomedhanov won't allow it.
Magomedhanov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jang.
Jang looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Magomedhanov is trying to pull guard but Jang has him pressed against the cage.
Jang tries to stall but Magomedhanov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Magomedhanov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Magomedhanov is pressed up against the cage. Jang has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Magomedhanov down to the mat. Magomedhanov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jang shoots for a takedown but Magomedhanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jang misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rashid Magomedhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Magomedhanov has closed the distance and engaged Jang in a clinch.

Magomedhanov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Magomedhanov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Jang stands and steps away. Magomedhanov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Jang closes the distance and clinches up with Magomedhanov, looking for a takedown. Jang pushes Magomedhanov against the cage but Magomedhanov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Magomedhanov.
Jang tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Magomedhanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jang shoots in for a takedown but Magomedhanov shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jang goes for a double leg but Magomedhanov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Magomedhanov continues to drive forward.
It looked like Magomedhanov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Magomedhanov lands an overhand right.

Magomedhanov clinches up against the cage.
Magomedhanov tries to break free but Jang pushes him back against the cage.
Jang wants to break free but Magomedhanov has control.
Magomedhanov wants a takedown.
Jang tries to land knees in the clinch but Magomedhanov avoids the damage to the body.
A shot in the inside from Magomedhanov.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Magomedhanov as Jang tries to tie him up.

Jang jumps guard and drags Magomedhanov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Magomedhanov is looking to stand up but Jang won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jang not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jang bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Magomedhanov's guard.

Magomedhanov wants to stand up but Jang is controlling him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jang trying to control but Magomedhanov is working from the bottom.
Magomedhanov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashid Magomedhanov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Jang fails with a takedown attempt.
Magomedhanov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Magomedhanov dodges the punch combination from Jang.
Jang tries to clinch up.

Magomedhanov drives through and clinches with Jang against the cage.
Magomedhanov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Jang is trying to pull guard but Magomedhanov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Magomedhanov wants to break free but Jang has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jang jumps guard but Magomedhanov stands there with Jang around his waist. Jang gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rashid Magomedhanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shik Jang.
Magomedhanov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Jang gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jang tries to pull guard but Magomedhanov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Jang fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Jang wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jang tries to break the clinch but Magomedhanov is controlling the position.
Jang tries to pull guard but Magomedhanov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Jang tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Magomedhanov prevents a takedown attempt there.

Magomedhanov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Jang uses from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedhanov wants to stand and escape but Jang is having none of it.

Magomedhanov has his foot on Jang's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jang works his way back into a safe position though.

Jang stands and steps away. Magomedhanov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jang.
Magomedhanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jang can do to turn this around?
Jang fails in his attempt to clinch.
Magomedhanov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Magomedhanov throws a poor cross that misses
and Jang counters with a low kick, right behind Magomedhanov 's knee.

Magomedhanov clinches up against the cage.
Magomedhanov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Jang has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Magomedhanov uses from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jang is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Jang is trying to keep Magomedhanov in close.

Jang has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Magomedhanov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Jang has his foot on Magomedhanov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Magomedhanov works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Magomedhanov wants to pass the guard but Jang is keeping the position.
Magomedhanov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Jang manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Magomedhanov manages to get himself to full guard.

Magomedhanov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Jang puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Jang works his foot free and advances to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Jang is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Magomedhanov to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Magomedhanov shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rashid Magomedhanov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Jang lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Jang lands a head kick!
Magomedhanov throws a right and a left that Jang avoids nicely.
Jang is looking to clinch but Magomedhanov is avoiding it.
Jang shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Magomedhanov defends it nicely.
Jang shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Magomedhanov as he jumps to the side.
Magomedhanov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jang changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Magomedhanov tries to avoid it but Jang manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Magomedhanov to the ground. Magomedhanov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rashid Magomedhanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shik Jang.

Jang gets tackled into the cage by Magomedhanov. Magomedhanov maintains the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Magomedhanov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Magomedhanov is pressed up against the cage. Jang has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Magomedhanov down to the mat. Magomedhanov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jang shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Magomedhanov but Magomedhanov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jang is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Magomedhanov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Magomedhanov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jang.
Jang is trying to pull guard but Magomedhanov has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Magomedhanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

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.
Magomedhanov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Magomedhanov keeps control of Jang as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Magomedhanov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jang.
Magomedhanov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jang.
Jang fails to pull guard.
Jang is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Magomedhanov to keep the fight standing.
Magomedhanov is trying to break the clinch but Jang has him pressed against the cage.
Jang drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Magomedhanov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jang on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jang looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Magomedhanov is pressed up against the cage. Jang has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Magomedhanov down to the mat. Magomedhanov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Magomedhanov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Magomedhanov jumps guard but Jang turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Jang is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Jang tries to score a body lock takedown but Magomedhanov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Magomedhanov drags the fight down to the ground.
Magomedhanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jang is one step ahead there.

Jang decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Magomedhanov, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomedhanov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jang.
Rashid Magomedhanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Magomedhanov slaps away a takedown attempt from Jang, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rashid Magomedhanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Magomedhanov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Magomedhanov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Jang is trying to maintain a safe position but Magomedhanov gets an underhook and turns Jang into the cage.
Rashid Magomedhanov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jang is trying to pull guard but Magomedhanov has him pressed against the cage.

Magomedhanov jumps guard and drags Jang to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Shik Jang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rashid Magomedhanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Magomedhanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jang is one step ahead there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashid Magomedhanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Magomedhanov, 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashid Magomedhanov!