PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zhovhar Kurmagomedov (ranked 3739 p4p, 384 weight class) and Mark O Madsen (ranked 3042 p4p, 328 weight class). Kurmagomedov comes to the cage accompanied by Ay Lazzat - Folk Song. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kurmagomedov
vs
O Madsen

185 cm
19
156 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

177 cm
27
167 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zhovhar Kurmagomedov!
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, Mark O Madsen!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Madsen misses with a lunging right hand
and Kurmagomedov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sloppy strikes from Kurmagomedov. Those never looked like landing.
Madsen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kurmagomedov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Madsen somewhat.
Madsen's coach down at Rabid Dog was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Madsen's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Madsen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Madsen winds up and cracks Kurmagomedov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kurmagomedov tries to roll over but Madsen keeps him under control.
Kurmagomedov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Madsen stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Madsen lands a nice short elbow.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kurmagomedov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madsen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kurmagomedov wants to sweep here but Madsen controlling him for the moment.
Kurmagomedov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Madsen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Madsen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Madsen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Kurmagomedov has his foot on Madsen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Madsen works his way back into a safe position though.
Madsen lands a couple of elbows.
Madsen lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Madsen lands a couple of digs.
Kurmagomedov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kurmagomedov wants to sweep here but Madsen controlling him for the moment.
Madsen stands up over Kurmagomedov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Madsen with a nice head shot there.
Madsen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Madsen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kurmagomedov keeping moving, preventing Madsen from controlling successfully.
Madsen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Madsen landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kurmagomedov is looking for a triangle but Madsen pushes his legs off easily.

Kurmagomedov has his foot on Madsen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Madsen works his way back into a safe position though.
Madsen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Madsen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kurmagomedov keeping moving, preventing Madsen from controlling successfully.

Kurmagomedov working for a triangle but Madsen defends it easily.
Madsen wants to control from the top but Kurmagomedov keeps moving.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Madsen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kurmagomedov quickly recovers to half guard.
Kurmagomedov tries to roll over but Madsen keeps him under control.
Kurmagomedov trying to hold on to Madsen's head to control him but Madsen postures up.
Kurmagomedov trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Madsen manages to pass to mount!
Madsen with a couple of short strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kurmagomedov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kurmagomedov is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark O Madsen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kurmagomedov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Madsen feints and as Kurmagomedov raises his hands in defense, Madsen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Madsen connects with a couple of short punches.
Madsen stands up over Kurmagomedov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kurmagomedov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Madsen landing some decent shots from guard.
Madsen stands up over Kurmagomedov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Kurmagomedov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Madsen 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.
Madsen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kurmagomedov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madsen landing some decent shots from guard.
Madsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurmagomedov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Madsen chips away with some ground and pound.
Madsen trying to control but Kurmagomedov is working from the bottom.
Mark O Madsen has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kurmagomedov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kurmagomedov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Kurmagomedov is looking for a triangle but Madsen pushes his legs off easily.
Madsen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kurmagomedov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Madsen's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Madsen keeps moving.
Kurmagomedov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Madsen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Madsen is looking to stand up but Kurmagomedov isn't so interested in that idea.
Kurmagomedov trying to control but Madsen is working from the bottom.
Madsen looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kurmagomedov looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurmagomedov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Madsen trying to hold on to Kurmagomedov's head to control him but Kurmagomedov postures up.
Madsen is trying is best to control the position here.
Madsen is looking to improve his position.
Madsen moves into full guard.
Madsen trying to control the position here.

That's four 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.
Kurmagomedov wants to pass the guard but Madsen is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kurmagomedov lands a jab to the head.
Madsen misses with a body shot
and Kurmagomedov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Madsen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Madsen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kurmagomedov as he jumps to the side.

Madsen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kurmagomedov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Madsen is in Kurmagomedov's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Madsen wants to control from the top but Kurmagomedov keeps moving.
Kurmagomedov wants to sweep but no luck.
Madsen chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mark O Madsen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kurmagomedov catches Madsen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Madsen shoots in for a takedown but Kurmagomedov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kurmagomedov lands with a slapping head kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kurmagomedov.
Kurmagomedov cracks Madsen with a good jab.
No luck for Madsen with that takedown attempt.
Kurmagomedov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Madsen on the side of the head.

Madsen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kurmagomedov!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Madsen scoring with punches from side control.
Kurmagomedov is looking for a sweep.
Madsen gets to mount! Kurmagomedov was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Kurmagomedov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madsen landing punches.
Madsen lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Madsen tries to control but Kurmagomedov wriggling away.
Kurmagomedov wants to control but Madsen is having none of it.
Madsen lands a nice shot to the head.
Kurmagomedov regains half guard.
Kurmagomedov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Madsen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Madsen landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madsen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Madsen cracks Kurmagomedov with a solid left hand.

Kurmagomedov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Madsen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Madsen is working Kurmagomedov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Madsen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Madsen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madsen wants to control from the top but Kurmagomedov keeps moving.
Kurmagomedov is trying to control the position but Madsen postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Madsen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Madsen trying to control but Kurmagomedov is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kurmagomedov scores with a nice right hand.
Madsen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zhovhar Kurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zhovhar Kurmagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark O Madsen.

Madsen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurmagomedov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Madsen scores with a couple of nice shots.
Madsen winds up and cracks Kurmagomedov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Madsen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kurmagomedov is staying active underneath Madsen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mark O Madsen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kurmagomedov tries to roll over but Madsen keeps him under control.

Kurmagomedov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Madsen lands a nice short elbow.
Kurmagomedov gets full guard.

Kurmagomedov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Madsen defends well.
Madsen stands up over Kurmagomedov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark O Madsen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Madsen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark O Madsen!
Mark O Madsen decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.