PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rashid Magomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinya Watannabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Magomedov's entrance music is Chris Brown - See You Again Feat. Tyga & Wiz Khalifa. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Magomedov
vs
Watannabe

180 cm
19
194 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

175 cm
28
197 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Prefers standup

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Mohito Fightwear
GREEN!160

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rashid Magomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinya Watannabe!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Alan Glass and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Watannabe keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Magomedov.
Watannabe feints the counter takedown.
Magomedov throws an overhand right that lands on Watannabe's shoulder, as Watannabe tries to avoid the shot.
Watannabe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Magomedov.
Magomedov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Watannabe manages to avoid it.
Magomedov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Magomedov.

It looks like Shinya Watannabe has been cut.
Watannabe goes for a double leg but Magomedov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Magomedov continues to drive forward.
Magomedov misses with a body shot.
Watannabe defending well as Magomedov loads up on a big left hand.
Watannabe takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Watannabe gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Magomedov misses the jab.
Magomedov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Watannabe shoots for a double leg takedown but Magomedov sprawls well. He's pushed Watannabe's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Watannabe looks for a takedown but Magomedov sprawls well.
Rashid Magomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinya Watannabe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Magomedov scores with a jab to the body.
Watannabe avoids the body shot from Magomedov.
A low kick from Magomedov misses

so Watannabe counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Magomedov pulls Watannabe in close to prevent any damage.

Magomedov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Watannabe defends well.
Watannabe passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Watannabe thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov regains half guard there - taking advantage of Watannabe's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Magomedov wants to get back to full guard.

Watannabe is trying to work for a kimura but Magomedov is defending well.
Watannabe trying to control the action but Magomedov is working from the bottom.
Magomedov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Watannabe on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is positioning himself well to prevent Watannabe advancing to mount.
Magomedov tries to roll over but Watannabe keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Watannabe has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Magomedov defend it? Watannabe steps over the head and cranks it - Magomedov is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Watannabe!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Shinya Watannabe!