PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bhakib Runmagomedov (ranked 2557 p4p, 278 weight class) and Tane Ziad (ranked 2558 p4p, 279 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Runmagomedov
vs
Ziad

180 cm
25
159 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bhakib Runmagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tane Ziad!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Donald Grub and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Runmagomedov stands and steps away. Ziad gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Runmagomedov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ziad did well to prevent Runmagomedov getting side control.

Runmagomedov decides to return to a standing position.

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

Runmagomedov stands and steps away. Ziad gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Runmagomedov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ziad sprawls well initially but Runmagomedov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Ziad looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ziad is looking to get back to is feet but Runmagomedov passes into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Runmagomedov prevents Ziad from escaping the position.

Runmagomedov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Runmagomedov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Runmagomedov prevents Ziad from standing back up.

Runmagomedov decides to stand and escape the position.
Bhakib Runmagomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Runmagomedov scores with a takedown into Ziad's guard.
Runmagomedov is breathing heavily.
Ziad wants to get back to his feet but Runmagomedov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Runmagomedov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Runmagomedov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziad tries to kick Runmagomedov off but Runmagomedov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Runmagomedov postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Ziad to stand up.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ziad enables Runmagomedov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ziad manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Ziad wants to stand and escape but Runmagomedov is having none of it.

Runmagomedov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Ziad gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Runmagomedov to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziad is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Runmagomedov is controlling him.

Ziad is working an open guard so Runmagomedov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Runmagomedov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ziad to the ground. Runmagomedov is now in Ziad's guard.
Ziad wants to get back to his feet but Runmagomedov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Runmagomedov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ziad is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's four 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.

Runmagomedov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Runmagomedov dives in and scores a takedown into Ziad's guard.
Ziad wants to stand but Runmagomedov is controlling the position.

Runmagomedov gets to his feet. Ziad looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Runmagomedov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Runmagomedov lands in his opponent's guard.
Runmagomedov won't allow Ziad to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bhakib Runmagomedov 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.

Runmagomedov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ziad manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Runmagomedov stands and steps away. Ziad gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Runmagomedov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ziad wants to stand up but Runmagomedov is controlling him.

Runmagomedov stands and steps away. Ziad gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ziad enables Runmagomedov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ziad manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Runmagomedov prevents Ziad from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Runmagomedov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Runmagomedov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ziad to the ground. Runmagomedov is now in Ziad's guard.
Ziad wants to stand and escape but Runmagomedov is having none of it.

Runmagomedov stands up and waves to Ziad to follow him.

Runmagomedov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ziad on his heels. He'll look to pass Ziad's guard now, I'm sure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziad wants to get back to his feet but Runmagomedov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Runmagomedov stands up from Ziad's guard - Runmagomedov perhaps looking for a knockout.

Runmagomedov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziad is trying to stand.

Runmagomedov decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Runmagomedov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ziad quickly recovers to half guard.
Ziad looks like he's trying to stand up.

Runmagomedov decides to stand and escape the position.

Runmagomedov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziad is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Runmagomedov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ziad to his feet.

Runmagomedov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Ziad has one foot on Runmagomedov's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ziad tries to sprawl but Runmagomedov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bhakib Runmagomedov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Runmagomedov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ziad to the ground. Runmagomedov is now in Ziad's guard.

Runmagomedov stands up and waves to Ziad to follow him.

Ziad tries to sprawl but Runmagomedov drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Runmagomedov stands up out of the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Runmagomedov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Runmagomedov stops Ziad from standing up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Runmagomedov stands up and waves to Ziad to follow him.

Runmagomedov shoots in and gets a takedown into Ziad's guard.

Runmagomedov gets to his feet - Ziad follows without any prompting.

Runmagomedov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ziad napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ziad is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Runmagomedov has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Runmagomedov stands up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Runmagomedov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Runmagomedov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Runmagomedov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Runmagomedov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Runmagomedov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ziad to the mat! Ziad manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Runmagomedov stands up and waves to Ziad to follow him.

Runmagomedov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ziad!

Runmagomedov stands up and beckons Ziad to his feet.

Runmagomedov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ziad's guard.

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

Runmagomedov stands up from Ziad's guard - Runmagomedov perhaps looking for a knockout.

Ziad gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Runmagomedov stands up from Ziad's guard - Runmagomedov perhaps looking for a knockout.

Runmagomedov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ziad was covering up waiting for the punch and Runmagomedov finishes the takedown easily into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bhakib Runmagomedov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Runmagomedov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bhakib Runmagomedov!