PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Magomed Khaibulaev (ranked 2685 p4p, 0 weight class) and Halid Magomedov (ranked 25266 p4p, 0 weight class). Halid Magomedov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Khaibulaev
vs
Magomedov

177 cm
25
157 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
157 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Pit Bull Development

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 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Magomed Khaibulaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Halid Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khaibulaev tries for a takedown but Magomedov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Magomedov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Magomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Khaibulaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Khaibulaev doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Magomedov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Khaibulaev is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Khaibulaev has his foot on Magomedov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Magomedov works his way back into a safe position though.
Magomedov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khaibulaev wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Magomedov wants to control from the top but Khaibulaev keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khaibulaev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Magomedov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Khaibulaev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Magomedov trying to control but Khaibulaev is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Khaibulaev wants to stand but Magomedov is controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two 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.

Magomedov gets caught flat footed, as Khaibulaev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Magomedov keeping moving, preventing Khaibulaev from controlling successfully.
Khaibulaev advances position into side control!
Khaibulaev content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Magomedov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Magomedov is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khaibulaev wants to control but Magomedov is keeping him busy.
Magomedov is looking for a sweep.
Magomedov is not content to let Khaibulaev control the position.
Magomedov can't do much from the bottom here.
Khaibulaev sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Magomedov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Magomedov struggling a bit here.
Magomedov is looking for a sweep.
The referee asks Khaibulaev politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Khaibulaev prefers to stall for the moment though.
Khaibulaev's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Magomedov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Khaibulaev counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Magomedov shoots for a double leg takedown but Khaibulaev sprawls well. He's pushed Magomedov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Magomedov clinches up against the cage.
Magomedov avoiding damage as Khaibulaev throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magomed Khaibulaev dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Magomedov throws a body kick that misses.
Magomedov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Magomedov wants it to stay on the feet.
Khaibulaev is looking to clinch.
Magomedov wants to clinch up but Khaibulaev keeps it at a distance.
Khaibulaev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Magomedov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Khaibulaev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Khaibulaev is looking for a kimura here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov is looking for a sweep. Khaibulaev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khaibulaev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Magomedov defending well though.
Khaibulaev is keen to just control but Magomedov is a slippery customer.
Magomedov is looking to control Khaibulaev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Magomedov avoid being mounted?
Khaibulaev is keen to just control but Magomedov is a slippery customer.
Magomedov is looking to improve his position.
Khaibulaev controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Magomedov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Khaibulaev tries for a takedown but Magomedov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Magomed Khaibulaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Magomedov wants to clinch

and Khaibulaev counters with a takedown into side control.
Magomedov is looking to get back to his feet here but Khaibulaev is keeping cool and he's managed to take Magomedov's back.

Magomedov preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Khaibulaev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khaibulaev controlling the position well here. Magomedov rolled but Khaibulaev kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Magomedov manages to reverse the position and now he's in Khaibulaev's guard. Nice work there by Magomedov.
Khaibulaev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Khaibulaev sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Magomedov's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Magomedov trying to control but Khaibulaev postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Khaibulaev there.

Khaibulaev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Magomedov defends it well.
Khaibulaev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Magomedov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Khaibulaev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Magomedov gets back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Khaibulaev postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magomed Khaibulaev dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Magomedov.
Nice takedown defense from Magomedov. No joy for Khaibulaev on that attempt.
Khaibulaev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Magomedov sprawls well. Magomedov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Khaibulaev gets slowly back to his feet.
Khaibulaev circles away from the clinch attempt
and Khaibulaev counters with a three punch combo that has Magomedov backing up. Magomedov nods at Khaibulaev to acknowledge the strikes.
Khaibulaev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Magomedov sprawls well. Magomedov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Khaibulaev gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Magomed Khaibulaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Khaibulaev with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Khaibulaev shoots for a takedown but Magomedov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Magomedov unleashes a big counter combination but Khaibulaev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Magomedov closes the distance and pushes Khaibulaev back into the cage.

Magomedov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Khaibulaev gets tackled into the cage by Magomedov. Magomedov maintains the clinch.
Khaibulaev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Magomedov smiles and moves away.
Khaibulaev darts in looking for a takedown but Magomedov gets double underhooks and turns Khaibulaev into the cage.
Magomedov misses with a takedown attempt - Khaibulaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Khaibulaev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Magomedov but Magomedov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Halid Magomedov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Khaibulaev gets tackled into the cage by Magomedov. Magomedov maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Magomedov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Khaibulaev shoots in for a takedown but Magomedov shows good takedown defense.
Khaibulaev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Magomedov counters by moving into the clinch.

Magomedov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Khaibulaev throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Magomedov dives in and grabs Khaibulaev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Khaibulaev pushes down on Magomedov's head and hops out.
Khaibulaev drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Khaibulaev lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Magomedov takes the fight into the clinch.
Magomedov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov stalls.
Magomedov is trying to pull guard but Khaibulaev turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Magomedov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Khaibulaev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Magomedov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Khaibulaev wants to take the fight to the mat but Magomedov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Magomedov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Magomedov has managed to clinch.
Magomedov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Khaibulaev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Khaibulaev works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Khaibulaev won't allow Magomedov to get back to his feet.
Khaibulaev tries to stand but Magomedov is controlling from the bottom.
Khaibulaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Magomedov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Khaibulaev showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Magomedov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
Halid Magomedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Khaibulaev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Magomed Khaibulaev!