PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ibragim Borzoev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Magomed Borzoev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Borzoev
vs
Borzoev

200 cm
21
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

189 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ibragim Borzoev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Magomed Borzoev!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Magomed Borzoev works Ibragim Borzoev's body with a nice hook.
Ibragim Borzoev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Magomed Borzoev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ibragim Borzoev is fending him off so far but Magomed Borzoev persists. Nope, Ibragim Borzoev circles away and we're back to standing.
Magomed Borzoev fails with the takedown.
Ibragim Borzoev shoots and misses

and Magomed Borzoev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Magomed Borzoev.
Magomed Borzoev is looking to break free of the clinch but Ibragim Borzoev has double underhooks.

Ibragim Borzoev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Magomed Borzoev moves out of range of the body kick from Ibragim Borzoev.
Ibragim Borzoev throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ibragim Borzoev shoots in but Magomed Borzoev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ibragim Borzoev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ibragim Borzoev scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Ibragim Borzoev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Magomed Borzoev to the mat! Magomed Borzoev manages to get full guard.
Ibragim Borzoev trying to control but Magomed Borzoev is working from the bottom.
Magomed Borzoev is looking to stand up but Ibragim Borzoev isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomed Borzoev 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.
Ibragim Borzoev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ibragim Borzoev slips nicely into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ibragim Borzoev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Magomed Borzoev defends it well.
Magomed Borzoev keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's two 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.
Ibragim Borzoev is pressing down on Magomed Borzoev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Magomed Borzoev is holding on for now.
Magomed Borzoev is trying to control but can't.
Magomed Borzoev is looking to improve his position.
Magomed Borzoev trying to control here.
Magomed Borzoev looks gassed!
Ibragim Borzoev works his foot free and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomed Borzoev tries to hold on but Ibragim Borzoev postures up.

Ibragim Borzoev looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Ibragim Borzoev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ibragim Borzoev trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The referee warns Magomed Borzoev that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Magomed Borzoev tries to hold on but Ibragim Borzoev pushes him away.

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.
Magomed Borzoev is wriggling around trying to escape.

Ibragim Borzoev jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Magomed Borzoev is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Magomed Borzoev and Ibragim Borzoev has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Ibragim Borzoev working away.
What's Magomed Borzoev going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Magomed Borzoev prevents Ibragim Borzoev from moving into mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Magomed Borzoev is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ibragim Borzoev asserts his dominance and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ibragim Borzoev dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Magomed Borzoev blocks the body kick.
Ibragim Borzoev shoots in looking for a takedown. Magomed Borzoev tries to sprawl out of it but Ibragim Borzoev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Magomed Borzoev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Magomed Borzoev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ibragim Borzoev's waist but Ibragim Borzoev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Magomed Borzoev off to one side.
Ibragim Borzoev throws a head kick that misses.
Ibragim Borzoev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Magomed Borzoev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ibragim Borzoev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Magomed Borzoev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomed Borzoev lands a decent elbow from side control.
Magomed Borzoev working away.

Magomed Borzoev stands up and beckons Ibragim Borzoev to his feet.
Ibragim Borzoev dives in and grabs Magomed Borzoev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Magomed Borzoev pushes down on Ibragim Borzoev's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ibragim Borzoev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Magomed Borzoev with a lazy takedown attempt

and Ibragim Borzoev moves into the clinch.

Ibragim Borzoev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibragim Borzoev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Magomed Borzoev pinned against the cage. Magomed Borzoev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ibragim Borzoev shoots in but no luck this time.
Magomed Borzoev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ibragim Borzoev doesn't seem bothered though.
Magomed Borzoev misses with a takedown attempt - Ibragim Borzoev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ibragim Borzoev misses with a head kick.
Magomed Borzoev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Magomed Borzoev stuffs the takedown attempt from Ibragim Borzoev. Ibragim Borzoev gets slowly back to his feet.
Ibragim Borzoev really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Magomed Borzoev defending well as Ibragim Borzoev loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomed Borzoev throws a wild body kick that Ibragim Borzoev sees coming a mile off.
Magomed Borzoev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Magomed Borzoev wants it to stay on the feet.
Magomed Borzoev tries to clinch there but Ibragim Borzoev circles away.
A shot to de liver by Magomed Borzoev. Beautiful body shot.
Ibragim Borzoev throws a head kick that misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Magomed Borzoev.
Ibragim Borzoev blocks a leg kick.
No luck for Ibragim Borzoev with that takedown attempt.
Ibragim Borzoev tries to land a front kick but Magomed Borzoev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Magomed Borzoev shoots and misses

and Ibragim Borzoev counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibragim Borzoev is trying to control. Magomed Borzoev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ibragim Borzoev is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Ibragim Borzoev throws a strike but Magomed Borzoev avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Magomed Borzoev has Ibragim Borzoev pulled in close to control his posture.
Ibragim Borzoev stopping the sweep attempt from Magomed Borzoev.
Magomed Borzoev keeping moving, preventing Ibragim Borzoev from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Magomed Borzoev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Ibragim Borzoev falls off balance throwing a combination

and Magomed Borzoev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Magomed Borzoev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ibragim Borzoev smiles and moves away.
Magomed Borzoev moves out of range of the body kick from Ibragim Borzoev.
Magomed Borzoev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Magomed Borzoev fails with a takedown attempt.
Ibragim Borzoev tries to clinch but Magomed Borzoev moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibragim Borzoev shoots for a double leg takedown but Magomed Borzoev sprawls well. He's pushed Ibragim Borzoev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Magomed Borzoev throws a head kick that misses.
Ibragim Borzoev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ibragim Borzoev wants it to stay on the feet.
Ibragim Borzoev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magomed Borzoev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomed Borzoev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ibragim Borzoev as he jumps to the side.
Magomed Borzoev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Magomed Borzoev wants it to stay on the feet.

Ibragim Borzoev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Magomed Borzoev jumps guard but Ibragim Borzoev stands there with Magomed Borzoev around his waist. Magomed Borzoev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Magomed Borzoev is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ibragim Borzoev will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Magomed Borzoev up against the cage.
Ibragim Borzoev can't get the takedown.

Ibragim Borzoev jumps guard and drags Magomed Borzoev to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Magomed Borzoev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibragim Borzoev is trying to control the position but Magomed Borzoev postures up.
Ibragim Borzoev striking off his back but it's not causing Magomed Borzoev any problems.
Ibragim Borzoev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Magomed Borzoev trying to control the position from guard on top but Ibragim Borzoev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ibragim Borzoev controlling Magomed Borzoev's posture.
Magomed Borzoev trying to control the position from guard on top but Ibragim Borzoev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibragim Borzoev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ibragim Borzoev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Magomed Borzoev sprawls well initially but Ibragim Borzoev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Magomed Borzoev trying to control but Ibragim Borzoev postures up.
Ibragim Borzoev prevents Magomed Borzoev from improving his position.
Ibragim Borzoev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Magomed Borzoev holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibragim Borzoev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Magomed Borzoev has his hands clasped together around Ibragim Borzoev's back. He's all about the action.
Ibragim Borzoev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Magomed Borzoev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ibragim Borzoev advances position into side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Magomed Borzoev tries to improve position but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ibragim Borzoev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ibragim Borzoev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ibragim Borzoev!