PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rashid Magomedhanov (ranked 1959 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seung Kwan Choi (ranked 2306 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Magomedhanov
vs
Kwan Choi

170 cm
25
158 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

177 cm
25
159 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rashid Magomedhanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Seung Kwan Choi!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Columbo Gatti and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Choi tries to clinch up.
Magomedhanov throws a hook to the side of Choi's head but Choi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Magomedhanov scores with a one two! Choi had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Choi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Choi misses with a double jab.
Choi tries to close the distance and clinch but Magomedhanov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Choi throws a nice looking combination but Magomedhanov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Magomedhanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Magomedhanov clinches.
Choi tries to circle away but Magomedhanov has him pinned against the cage.
Choi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Choi is trying to break free.

Magomedhanov jumps guard.
Choi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Magomedhanov is keeping the position for now.
Magomedhanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Choi stands up from Magomedhanov's guard - Choi perhaps looking for a knockout.
Magomedhanov misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left and a right from Magomedhanov both land. Nice combination.
Choi tries to move into range but Magomedhanov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Magomedhanov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Magomedhanov rushes Choi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Magomedhanov stalls.
Choi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Magomedhanov's efforts to push away.
Magomedhanov blocking some punches.
Magomedhanov content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Magomedhanov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Choi is trying to keep an underhook but Magomedhanov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Choi trying to control but Magomedhanov postures up.

Magomedhanov decides to return to a standing position.
Choi is looking to clinch but Magomedhanov is avoiding it.
Choi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Magomedhanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Magomedhanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Choi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Choi ducks under a wild hook from Magomedhanov.
Choi tries to clinch but Magomedhanov is having none of it.
The fighters circling - Magomedhanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Choi misses with a wild combination.
Choi slips under a jab.
Choi looks to land a left hand but Magomedhanov moved out of range nicely.

Magomedhanov darts in and clinches Choi up against the cage.
Magomedhanov prevents Choi from breaking the clinch.
Choi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Choi wants to break free but Magomedhanov has control.

Choi manages to break the clinch.

Magomedhanov clinches with his opponent.
Magomedhanov blocks an elbow strike from Choi.
Magomedhanov is trying to pull guard but Choi has him pressed against the cage.
Choi tries a knee to the head but Magomedhanov blocks it.

Magomedhanov jumps into guard, dragging Choi to the mat.

Magomedhanov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Magomedhanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Choi defends it easily.

Magomedhanov looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Choi has picked Magomedhanov up and slammed him! Magomedhanov can't keep hold of the triangle and Choi manages to pass to side control!

Choi is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Magomedhanov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magomedhanov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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

Choi stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Magomedhanov has closed the distance and engaged Choi in a clinch.
Choi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Choi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Choi tries a knee to the head but Magomedhanov blocks it.
Magomedhanov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Magomedhanov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Choi to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashid Magomedhanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Magomedhanov lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Magomedhanov with the ground and pound but Choi uses the opportunity to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Magomedhanov looks to throw the jab but Choi is out of range.
Magomedhanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Magomedhanov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Magomedhanov misses with a two punch combination.

Magomedhanov rushes Choi and presses him up against the cage.
Magomedhanov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Choi walks away with a smile on his face. Magomedhanov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Choi walks into a jab.
The fighters circling - Choi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Magomedhanov appears to be looking for a big counter.

Magomedhanov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Choi, pushing him back against the cage.
Choi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Magomedhanov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Choi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Choi swings wildly with an uppercut but Magomedhanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Magomedhanov fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashid Magomedhanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Magomedhanov lands a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Choi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Choi is trying to break free.
Magomedhanov has had enough of the clinch but Choi keeps him there for the moment.
Magomedhanov jumps guard but Choi stands there with Magomedhanov around his waist. Magomedhanov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Choi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Choi can't break the clinch.
Choi lands with a short shot to the head.
Choi is trying to break the clinch but Magomedhanov has him pressed against the cage.
Choi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Choi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Choi can't break the clinch.
A short uppercut from Choi.
Magomedhanov looking for a takedown.

Choi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Choi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Magomedhanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Magomedhanov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A cross from Magomedhanov lands.
Choi wants to clinch up but Magomedhanov keeps it at a distance.
Magomedhanov needs to keep his hands up - Choi had a free shot at his head there.
The fighters circling - Choi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Magomedhanov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Choi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No joy there for Choi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Magomedhanov, as that shot connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Choi scores with a nice head shot.
Choi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Choi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Magomedhanov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Choi.
A little feinted left hand from Magomedhanov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Choi throws a head punch that misses.
A bit of stalling here from Magomedhanov.
Choi misses with a knee strike.
Choi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Magomedhanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Choi can do to turn this around?
Magomedhanov has Choi pressed against the cage, preventing Choi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Choi pushes Magomedhanov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rashid Magomedhanov has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Magomedhanov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Choi clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Magomedhanov doesn't have the hooks in and Choi manages to turn into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Choi 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.

Choi stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A jab from Magomedhanov does it's job there.
Choi tries to clinch there but Magomedhanov circles away.

Magomedhanov rushes Choi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Choi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A short uppercut from Choi.
Choi tries to land a knee to the head but Magomedhanov blocks with his arms.
Choi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Magomedhanov tries to pull guard but Choi holds him up against the cage and eventually Magomedhanov drops back down to his feet.
A head punch on the inside from Choi fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Choi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Magomedhanov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Choi can't break the clinch.
Magomedhanov can't get the takedown.
Choi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Magomedhanov has him pressed against the cage.
Magomedhanov stalling in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Magomedhanov for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Choi just misses with a elbow thrown towards Magomedhanov's brow.
Magomedhanov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Magomedhanov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Choi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Seung Kwan Choi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Choi tries to clinch there but Magomedhanov circles away.
Magomedhanov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Magomedhanov looks to land a combination. Choi sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Magomedhanov slips a jab from Choi.
Magomedhanov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Choi.
Choi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Choi throws a lazy right hand but Magomedhanov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Magomedhanov clinches up against the cage.
Magomedhanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Choi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Choi looking to throw knees to the head but Magomedhanov is blocking nicely.
Choi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Choi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Choi has had enough of the clinch but Magomedhanov keeps him there for the moment.
Magomedhanov is pushing Choi up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Choi managing to block the knees to the body from Magomedhanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Choi looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Magomedhanov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Choi looking to throw knees to the head but Magomedhanov is blocking nicely.
Magomedhanov tries to pull guard but Choi forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Choi misses with some punches.
Magomedhanov is trying to pull guard but Choi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Choi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Choi throws a punch but it's blocked by Magomedhanov.
A right hand to the body from Magomedhanov.
Magomedhanov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Choi smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashid Magomedhanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Magomedhanov rushes Choi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Magomedhanov digs a right hand underneath Choi's ribcage. Choi let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Choi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Choi throws a punch but it's blocked by Magomedhanov.
Magomedhanov is pushing Choi up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Choi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Magomedhanov backwards.
Magomedhanov stalling in the clinch.
Choi tries to break free but Magomedhanov pushes him back against the cage.
Magomedhanov can't break the clinch.
Magomedhanov tries to break free but Choi pushes him back against the cage.
Choi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Choi misses with a knee to the head.
Magomedhanov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Choi's efforts to push away.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Magomedhanov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Choi is looking to break free of the clinch but Magomedhanov has double underhooks.
Choi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Magomedhanov blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Choi pushes Magomedhanov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Choi misses with a knee strike.
Magomedhanov is trying to break the clinch but Choi has him pressed against the cage.
Choi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Choi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Magomedhanov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Choi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Choi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Magomedhanov blocks an uppercut.
Choi looking to throw knees to the head but Magomedhanov is blocking nicely.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Choi.
Choi prevents Magomedhanov from breaking the clinch.
Choi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Choi wants to break free but Magomedhanov has control.
Magomedhanov is trying to push Choi away but Choi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Magomedhanov blocks the elbow strike.
Magomedhanov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Choi gets through Magomedhanov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Choi misses with a punch on the inside.
Magomedhanov can't break the clinch.
Choi can't break the clinch.
Choi misses with an elbow over the top.
Magomedhanov is trying to break the clinch but Choi is controlling him.
Choi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Magomedhanov prevents Choi from breaking the clinch.
Choi is trying to force a seperation but Magomedhanov has the dominant position.
Choi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Magomedhanov's efforts to push away.
Magomedhanov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Choi is looking to break free of the clinch but Magomedhanov has double underhooks.
Choi with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Magomedhanov tightens his grip and picks Choi up, before dumping him to the ground. Choi manages to land in guard.

Choi is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Magomedhanov presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seung Kwan Choi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Choi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seung Kwan Choi!