PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joshua Ashnault (ranked 3414 p4p, 0 weight class) and Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (ranked 2951 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ashnault
vs
Gazimagomedov

174 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
157 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joshua Ashnault!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Joseph Jones and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ashnault goes for a double leg but Gazimagomedov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gazimagomedov continues to drive forward.

Ashnault drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gazimagomedov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ashnault.
Ashnault with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gazimagomedov has momentary wrist control but Ashnault slips an elbow through the middle.
Gazimagomedov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Gazimagomedov stays in close to Ashnault's body and controls the position.
Gazimagomedov won't allow Ashnault to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashnault trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ashnault shoots in looking for a takedown but Gazimagomedov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ashnault's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ashnault is breathing heavily.
Gazimagomedov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ashnault paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Gazimagomedov. No joy for Ashnault on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Ashnault. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gazimagomedov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Gazimagomedov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Gazimagomedov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ashnault. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ashnault is trying to stand up here but Gazimagomedov is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Gazimagomedov trying to mount his opponent but Ashnault defends it.
Ashnault looks like he's trying to stand up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gazimagomedov in particular looking to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Gazimagomedov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ashnault sprawls well initially but Gazimagomedov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Ashnault is looking to escape.
Gazimagomedov wants to pass the guard but Ashnault is defending well.
Ashnault wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov drops an elbow to the side of Ashnault's head.
Gazimagomedov wants to control but Ashnault is keeping him busy.
Gazimagomedov prevents Ashnault from standing back up.
Gazimagomedov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Ashnault looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ashnault throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gazimagomedov's waist but Gazimagomedov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ashnault off to one side.

Gazimagomedov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Gazimagomedov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ashnault on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ashnault tries to get out of the position.
Gazimagomedov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov is trying to control the action in half guard but Ashnault is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Gazimagomedov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Ashnault looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ashnault tries for a takedown but Gazimagomedov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gazimagomedov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gazimagomedov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ashnault wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Gazimagomedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ashnault is not content to let Gazimagomedov control the position.
Gazimagomedov in side control lands a decent elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashnault is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ashnault darts in looking for a takedown but Gazimagomedov gets double underhooks and turns Ashnault into the cage.
Gazimagomedov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ashnault back to the cage. Gazimagomedov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Gazimagomedov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Gazimagomedov drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gazimagomedov won't allow Ashnault to get back to his feet.
Gazimagomedov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ashnault is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gazimagomedov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ashnault's guard.
Gazimagomedov prevents Ashnault from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashnault is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gazimagomedov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gazimagomedov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ashnault looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gazimagomedov is nestled in close to Ashnault, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gazimagomedov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ashnault wants to get back to his feet.
Gazimagomedov is keen to just control but Ashnault is a slippery customer.
Gazimagomedov stops Ashnault from getting back to his feet.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov is controlling the pace.

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

Gazimagomedov scores with a takedown into Ashnault's guard.
Gazimagomedov stops Ashnault from standing up.
Gazimagomedov stands up over Ashnault, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gazimagomedov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gazimagomedov wants to get up but he can't break Ashnault's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ashnault is looking to stand up but Gazimagomedov isn't so interested in that idea.
Gazimagomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Ashnault is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashnault is looking to stand up but Gazimagomedov isn't so interested in that idea.
Gazimagomedov wants to pass the guard but Ashnault is keeping the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ashnault fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Ashnault. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Gazimagomedov.
Gazimagomedov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ashnault drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gazimagomedov sprawls and moves away.
Ashnault shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gazimagomedov defends it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
No luck for Ashnault with that takedown attempt.
Gazimagomedov feints a counter leg kick.

Gazimagomedov has closed the distance and engaged Ashnault in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ashnault darts in looking for a takedown but Gazimagomedov gets double underhooks and turns Ashnault into the cage.
Ashnault fails with the takedown.
No joy there for Gazimagomedov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Gazimagomedov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ashnault napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ashnault is trying to get back to his feet.
The referee asks Gazimagomedov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Gazimagomedov prefers to stall for the moment though.
Ashnault tries to escape but Gazimagomedov is in control.
Ashnault is looking to get back to his feet here but Gazimagomedov is keeping cool and he's managed to take Ashnault's back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ashnault wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov trying to control.
Ashnault is trying to stand back up.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Ashnault is trying to get back to his feet but Gazimagomedov has full control of the position and if anything, Ashnault has just worked his way into a worse spot.

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.
Gazimagomedov is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Ashnault is trying to stand back up.
Gazimagomedov lands a shot to the head.

Ashnault defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Ashnault is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gazimagomedov is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Ashnault has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Our spies down at at Jiu-Jitsu Fighter Academy inform us that Gazimagomedov has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Gazimagomedov loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Ashnault hold on?
Will Gazimagomedov go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Ashnault is trying to get back to his feet but Gazimagomedov has full control of the position and if anything, Ashnault has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Gazimagomedov looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Ashnault taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov!