PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Magomed Ahmadaliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Johnson
vs
Ahmadaliev

190 cm
25
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
19
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Johnson!
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 Ahmadaliev!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Colin Fotheringham and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
Ahmadaliev with the counter takedown but Johnson avoids it easily.

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.

Ahmadaliev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Johnson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Johnson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ahmadaliev 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.
Ahmadaliev looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Johnson is working Ahmadaliev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Ahmadaliev is keeping the position.
Johnson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ahmadaliev is on top in guard.

Johnson trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahmadaliev postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Ahmadaliev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ahmadaliev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Johnson 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.
Ahmadaliev trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ahmadaliev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ahmadaliev.

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

Ahmadaliev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Ahmadaliev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ahmadaliev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ahmadaliev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ahmadaliev controlling from the top position.

Ahmadaliev drops back looking for a leg! Johnson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnson manages to kick Ahmadaliev off! Ahmadaliev jumps back into Johnson's guard.
Ahmadaliev sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahmadaliev slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ahmadaliev controls the position.
Ahmadaliev scores with punches from side control.
Ahmadaliev remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ahmadaliev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Johnson, who protects the arm well.

Ahmadaliev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ahmadaliev in side control lands a decent elbow.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ahmadaliev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magomed Ahmadaliev dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ahmadaliev shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnson's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Ahmadaliev is proving a slippery customer.
Ahmadaliev showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ahmadaliev on the ground.
Ahmadaliev trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Ahmadaliev slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahmadaliev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Ahmadaliev drops back looking for a leg! Johnson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnson manages to kick Ahmadaliev off! Ahmadaliev jumps back into Johnson's guard.

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.
Ahmadaliev throws a big right hand that misses.
Ahmadaliev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Ahmadaliev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ahmadaliev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ahmadaliev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ahmadaliev advances to half guard.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Magomed Ahmadaliev!