PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Peligrini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mamed Khalidovv (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Khalidovv comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Shamhan Daldaev - Eto Kavkaz kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Peligrini
vs
Khalidovv

187 cm
20
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

183 cm
25
181 lbs
4 - 8 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Antonio Peligrini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mamed Khalidovv!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Khalidovv darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Khalidovv thows a huge punch but Peligrini dodges it nicely.
Khalidovv has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Peligrini wants to improve his position but Khalidovv is controlling well.
Khalidovv trying to mount his opponent but Peligrini defends it.
Khalidovv works his way into side control.
Khalidovv lands a decent elbow from side control.
Khalidovv landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khalidovv tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Khalidovv has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Khalidovv wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Peligrini, who protects the arm well.
Peligrini tries to improve position but can't.

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.
Peligrini stops Khalidovv from passing to mount.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Khalidovv in side control, throwing shots but Peligrini defends.

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

Khalidovv is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Peligrini knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Khalidovv looks gassed!
Peligrini struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peligrini is pushing Khalidovv's head away, looking to escape. Khalidovv manages to hold on to the position though.
Peligrini manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Khalidovv is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Peligrini still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Peligrini has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Khalidovv sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Peligrini missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Peligrini is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Peligrini is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Khalidovv sees it coming and defends easily.

Khalidovv manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Khalidovv throws a head kick but Peligrini moves out of range.
Peligrini tries to clinch up but Khalidovv circles away and keeps his distance.

Khalidovv shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Khalidovv throwing strikes here but Peligrini is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Peligrini tries to lock up and control but Khalidovv gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Khalidovv jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Peligrini is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Peligrini and Khalidovv has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Peligrini manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Khalidovv dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Peligrini throws a head kick that Khalidovv semi-blocks.

Khalidovv closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Khalidovv throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Khalidovv lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Peligrini looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Khalidovv is working for a submission of some sort.

Khalidovv gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidovv shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Peligrini defends it nicely.
Antonio Peligrini is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Khalidovv misses with a double jab.
Khalidovv tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Khalidovv keeps the fight on the outside.
Peligrini tries to clinch there but Khalidovv circles away.
Peligrini fails in his attempt to clinch.
Khalidovv with a hook.
Khalidovv keeps the fight on the outside.
Peligrini is looking to clinch.

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.
Khalidovv swats away the attempt to clinch by Peligrini.
Khalidovv keeps the fight on the outside.

Khalidovv changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Peligrini looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Peligrini is looking for a sweep.

Khalidovv is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Peligrini knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mamed Khalidovv has got the better of the ground game so far.
Peligrini is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovv thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Peligrini's head.
Khalidovv is looking to advance position but Peligrini won't allow it.

Khalidovv gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Peligrini tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Peligrini tries to clinch up.
Peligrini moves in looking to clinch but Khalidovv pushes him off.
A left lands for Khalidovv.
Peligrini is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Peligrini tries to close the distance and clinch up but Khalidovv swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Khalidovv looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Khalidovv moves into full mount! Peligrini won't be happy about that!
Khalidovv sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Khalidovv looking to ground and pound but Peligrini is blocking nicely.

Khalidovv jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Peligrini is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Peligrini and Khalidovv has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Khalidovv working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Khalidovv showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Peligrini tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Khalidovv paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Khalidovv scores with a head kick.
Khalidovv connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Peligrini fails with an attempt to clinch.
Khalidovv keeps the fight on the outside.
Peligrini tries to close the distance and clinch but Khalidovv swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Antonio Peligrini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Khalidovv shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Peligrini napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Peligrini is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Khalidovv's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Khalidovv is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Peligrini is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khalidovv is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Peligrini defends it well.
Peligrini regains full guard. Nicely done.
Peligrini avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Khalidovv tries to free his leg and advance position but Peligrini is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Peligrini trying to control the position.

Khalidovv has gone for a leg lock! Peligrini slips out almost immediately though and dives into Khalidovv's guard.
Peligrini trying to control the position from guard on top but Khalidovv is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Khalidovv escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Peligrini gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Peligrini thows a big elbow that misses.
Khalidovv preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peligrini won't allow Khalidovv to get back to his feet.

Khalidovv is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Peligrini drops back looking for a leg! Khalidovv is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Khalidovv manages to kick Peligrini off! Peligrini jumps back into Khalidovv's guard.
Khalidovv keeping moving, preventing Peligrini from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Khalidovv closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Peligrini wants to clinch.
Peligrini with a poor takedown

and Khalidovv counters with a single leg into guard. Peligrini didn't expect that.
Khalidovv pushing down on Peligrini's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peligrini wants to improve his position but Khalidovv is controlling well.
Nice strikes from Khalidovv there.
Mamed Khalidovv is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Khalidovv prevents Peligrini from improving his position.
Khalidovv scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Khalidovv thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Peligrini's head.
Khalidovv is just content to waste time from the top position. Peligrini takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Antonio Peligrini has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Peligrini working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Khalidovv doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Khalidovv manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mamed Khalidovv comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Khalidovv has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mamed Khalidovv!