PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Omari Magomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ragnar Thorvaldson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Omari Magomedov had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 157.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Omari Magomedov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Magomedov
vs
Thorvaldson

176 cm
25
164 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

172 cm
25
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Omari Magomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ragnar Thorvaldson!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorvaldson digs a good hook to Magomedov's body.
Jab from Thorvaldson.
Thorvaldson punishes Magomedov's body with a nice straight punch.
Magomedov tries to clinch up but Thorvaldson circles away and keeps his distance.
A big right from Thorvaldson misses.
Magomedov takes one to the side of the head.
Magomedov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Thorvaldson fails to land with a series of punches.
Thorvaldson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice body punch from Thorvaldson.
Magomedov is breathing heavily.
Magomedov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thorvaldson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thorvaldson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Magomedov on the side of the head.
Thorvaldson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Magomedov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Thorvaldson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Magomedov pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thorvaldson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Thorvaldson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Thorvaldson is trying to get back to full guard.
Thorvaldson is trying to maintain the position but Magomedov is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Magomedov is taking a breather. Thorvaldson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Thorvaldson is trying to control but can't.
Thorvaldson tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Magomedov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Thorvaldson is looking to get to half guard.
Thorvaldson tries to hold on but Magomedov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Magomedov gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Magomedov moves into the clinch.
Thorvaldson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Magomedov has him pressed against the cage.
Thorvaldson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A frustrated look appears on Thorvaldson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Thorvaldson tries to pull guard but Magomedov holds him up against the cage and eventually Thorvaldson drops back down to his feet.
Thorvaldson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Magomedov.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Magomedov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Magomedov for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorvaldson misses with a body punch.
Thorvaldson throws a punch but it's blocked by Magomedov.
Thorvaldson misses with a punch to the body.
Thorvaldson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Magomedov takes a shot to the head.
Thorvaldson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thorvaldson pushes Magomedov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Magomedov controlling the action here for a moment.
Magomedov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Thorvaldson jumps guard but Magomedov stands there with Thorvaldson around his waist. Thorvaldson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Omari Magomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ragnar Thorvaldson.
Magomedov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A lazy left from Thorvaldson finds it's target.
Thorvaldson lands a glancing blow to the side of Magomedov's head.
Thorvaldson misses with a hook

and Magomedov counters with a takedown into side control.
Thorvaldson is looking to regain half guard here but Magomedov keeps moving and retains side control.
Magomedov working away.
Thorvaldson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorvaldson tries to roll over but Magomedov keeps him under control.

Thorvaldson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorvaldson wants to get back to full guard but Magomedov has passed into side control.
You can see the frustration on Thorvaldson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Thorvaldson tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Magomedov easily slips into full mount!
Thorvaldson wants to hold on but Magomedov pushes him away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov trying to control but Thorvaldson is having none of it.
Magomedov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Thorvaldson tries to lock up and control but Magomedov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Thorvaldson holds on, trying desperately to control.
Thorvaldson tries to reverse the position but Magomedov maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Magomedov stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Magomedov has managed to clinch.
Thorvaldson is trying to pull guard but Magomedov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Thorvaldson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Magomedov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Thorvaldson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Magomedov walks away with a smile on his face. Thorvaldson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Omari Magomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ragnar Thorvaldson.

Magomedov drives through and clinches with Thorvaldson against the cage.
Magomedov keeps control of Thorvaldson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is struggling to control the position.
Magomedov stalling the fight.
Magomedov has Thorvaldson pressed against the cage.
Thorvaldson is looking to break free of the clinch but Magomedov has double underhooks.

Thorvaldson manages to pull guard.

Thorvaldson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Thorvaldson looking for subs off his back but Magomedov has passed one foot through into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thorvaldson trying to control but Magomedov postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Omari Magomedov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Thorvaldson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Thorvaldson scores with a three punch combo!
Thorvaldson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Magomedov.
Magomedov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ragnar Thorvaldson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Magomedov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Thorvaldson throws a lazy right hand but Magomedov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Magomedov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ragnar Thorvaldson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thorvaldson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Magomedov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Thorvaldson won't be happy with that.
Omari Magomedov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thorvaldson struggling a bit here.
Magomedov wants to control but Thorvaldson is keeping him busy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thorvaldson is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorvaldson struggling a bit here.
Thorvaldson is looking for a sweep.

Magomedov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Thorvaldson lands a body shot.
Magomedov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorvaldson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Magomedov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Thorvaldson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Magomedov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ragnar Thorvaldson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thorvaldson misses with a wild combination.
Thorvaldson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Magomedov's head.
Thorvaldson scores with a jab. Magomedov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Thorvaldson jabs Magomedov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thorvaldson scores with a shot to the body.
Thorvaldson scores with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorvaldson misses with a two punch combination.
Magomedov looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thorvaldson, as that shot connected.
Thorvaldson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Magomedov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Thorvaldson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Thorvaldson punishes Magomedov's body with a nice straight punch.
Thorvaldson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Magomedov takes one to the chin there.
Thorvaldson misses with a jab, cross combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thorvaldson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Magomedov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorvaldson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Thorvaldson loads up on a big right hand but Magomedov slips the punch.
Thorvaldson throws out a loose jab but Magomedov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thorvaldson misses with a series of wild punches.
Thorvaldson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Thorvaldson gets tackled into the cage by Magomedov. Magomedov maintains the clinch.
Thorvaldson misses with the head strike.

Magomedov has clasped his hands together around Thorvaldson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Thorvaldson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Magomedov wants to control but Thorvaldson is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ragnar Thorvaldson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thorvaldson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ragnar Thorvaldson!
Ragnar Thorvaldson seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.