PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Volkan Xhaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ramazan Magomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Volkan Xhaka could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ramazan Magomedov's chin.

Xhaka
vs
Magomedov

183 cm
23
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Volkan Xhaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ramazan Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Magomedov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Xhaka is trying to defend but Magomedov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Xhaka makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Xhaka.
Xhaka is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Xhaka 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xhaka wants to get back to his feet but Magomedov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Xhaka is looking for a triangle but Magomedov pushes his legs off easily.
Magomedov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Xhaka. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xhaka throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Magomedov stopping the sweep attempt from Xhaka.
Xhaka is trying to control the position but Magomedov postures up.
Magomedov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Magomedov won't allow Xhaka to get back to his feet.
Xhaka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Magomedov sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Xhaka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Magomedov looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

Magomedov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Xhaka has an active guard here but Magomedov has managed to pass into half guard.

Xhaka actively working from the bottom here.
Xhaka regains full guard. Nicely done.
Magomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Xhaka is retaining full guard.
Magomedov controls from within his opponent's guard.

Xhaka is looking for a triangle but Magomedov pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xhaka is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xhaka 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.
Xhaka controlling Magomedov's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Magomedov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Xhaka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Xhaka working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Magomedov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Xhaka pinned against the cage. Xhaka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Xhaka is defended easily by Magomedov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ramazan Magomedov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Magomedov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Xhaka throws a series of punches but Magomedov avoids them all with ease.
Magomedov fails to land with a series of punches.
Xhaka tries to clinch up but Magomedov circles away and keeps his distance.
Xhaka lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Magomedov circles away quickly and effectively.
Xhaka throws a nice looking combination but Magomedov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Xhaka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xhaka dodges the punch combination from Magomedov.

Magomedov shoots in and gets a takedown into Xhaka's guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xhaka wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Magomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Xhaka is retaining full guard.
Xhaka looking to control.
Xhaka keeping full guard, as Magomedov tries to pass.
Xhaka working a defensive guard here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Xhaka looking for a sweep. Not yet Xhaka, not yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

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.
Magomedov throws a nice looking combination but Xhaka bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Magomedov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Xhaka sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Magomedov somewhat.

Xhaka gets caught flat footed, as Magomedov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Magomedov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Xhaka is controlling Magomedov's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xhaka wants to stand and escape but Magomedov is having none of it.
Magomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Xhaka is retaining full guard.
Xhaka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Xhaka escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Magomedov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Magomedov prevents Xhaka from getting back to his feet.
Magomedov controlling from the top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Xhaka striking off his back but it's not causing Magomedov any problems.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ramazan Magomedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Xhaka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Magomedov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ramazan Magomedov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Xhaka is trying to control but can't.

Xhaka actively working from the bottom here.

Xhaka has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Magomedov is on him like a limpet, forcing Xhaka back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xhaka looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Magomedov tries to pull guard but Xhaka won't allow it.
Xhaka has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Magomedov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Magomedov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xhaka moves in looking to clinch but Magomedov pushes him off.

Magomedov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Magomedov slows the pace down in half guard.
Xhaka tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Magomedov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Magomedov looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xhaka is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Xhaka tries to lock up and control but Magomedov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Xhaka tries to reverse the position but Magomedov maintains control.
Magomedov controlling his opponent.
Xhaka is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Magomedov tries to push Xhaka's head away but Xhaka is holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xhaka tries to hold on but Magomedov postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Magomedov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Xhaka working to try and regain half guard.
Xhaka is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Magomedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Magomedov controlling the position easily from mount.
Volkan Xhaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ramazan Magomedov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Xhaka looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ramazan Magomedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Magomedov 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ramazan Magomedov!