PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Husein Magomaevaboff (ranked 2580 p4p, 3188 weight class) and Johnny Zapp (ranked 354 p4p, 416 weight class). Husein Magomaevaboff could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Johnny Zapp's chin.

Magomaevaboff
vs
Zapp

183 cm
21
175
1 - 4 - 0

185 cm
21
184
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Husein Magomaevaboff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Johnny Zapp!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Magomaevaboff.
Magomaevaboff cracks Zapp with a good jab.

Zapp clinches.
Magomaevaboff tries to throw a body punch but Zapp avoids it by throwing Magomaevaboff back against the cage.
Magomaevaboff is working Zapp over against the cage.

Zapp has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Magomaevaboff uses from the top position.
Zapp keeping full guard, as Magomaevaboff tries to pass.
Magomaevaboff is pushing down on Zapp's leg trying to pass to half guard. Zapp is fighting to maintain full guard but Magomaevaboff has managed to sneak the leg through.
Magomaevaboff passes to full mount!
Magomaevaboff controlling from the full mount.
Zapp is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Magomaevaboff is trying to take his opponent's back.
Zapp can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomaevaboff avoids the attempt from Zapp to control.
Magomaevaboff trying to control but Zapp is having none of it.
Zapp is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Magomaevaboff can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zapp is looking to escape.
Magomaevaboff takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Magomaevaboff swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Zapp is now in Magomaevaboff's guard. A big mistake from Magomaevaboff there, giving up the dominant position!

Magomaevaboff is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zapp wants to control from the top but Magomaevaboff keeps moving.
Magomaevaboff is trying to control the position but Zapp postures up.
Magomaevaboff tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zapp passes into half guard.

Zapp is working for a kimura but Magomaevaboff is defending it quite comfortably.
Magomaevaboff tries to get to full guard but Zapp has control of the leg.
Magomaevaboff trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Zapp seems content to control.
Zapp working Magomaevaboff over with strikes.
Zapp is trying to control the action in half guard but Magomaevaboff is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Magomaevaboff trying to control but Zapp postures up.
Magomaevaboff is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Zapp's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Zapp's back!
Magomaevaboff keeps control of the position as Zapp tries to break free.
Zapp looking very determined here, making life difficult for Magomaevaboff.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Magomaevaboff goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Zapp escapes and is now in half guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomaevaboff wants to get back to full guard.
Magomaevaboff keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Magomaevaboff desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Magomaevaboff is looking for a sweep. Zapp is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Magomaevaboff slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Magomaevaboff trying to keep a closed guard but Zapp is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Magomaevaboff looking for subs off his back but Zapp has passed one foot through into half guard.
Magomaevaboff trying to get back to full guard but Zapp takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Husein Magomaevaboff will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zapp closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Magomaevaboff to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnny Zapp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zapp will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zapp tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
As Zapp backs away, Magomaevaboff returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

Zapp clinches up against the cage.
Magomaevaboff doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zapp tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Magomaevaboff just stands there and leans against the cage.
Magomaevaboff lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zapp backwards.
Magomaevaboff lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Magomaevaboff lands with a left to the head.
Magomaevaboff scores with a shot to the side of Zapp's head.
Zapp has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Magomaevaboff after a bit of a struggle.
Husein Magomaevaboff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Zapp.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomaevaboff tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Zapp smiles and moves away.
Magomaevaboff throws a low kick but Zapp moves out of range easily.
Magomaevaboff is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zapp can do to turn this around?
Magomaevaboff takes a swing at Zapp's ribcage but misses.
Zapp shoots in but no luck this time.
Zapp with a poor takedown
and Magomaevaboff counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zapp fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Zapp 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A low kick lands for Magomaevaboff.
Magomaevaboff connects with a body shot that sends Zapp's belly button to the back.
Zapp misses with a takedown
and Magomaevaboff cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Magomaevaboff looks to land a combination. Zapp sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Zapp tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Magomaevaboff counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nice uppercut there from Magomaevaboff.
Zapp misses with a takedown attempt - Magomaevaboff sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Magomaevaboff feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Magomaevaboff seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Magomaevaboff wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zapp fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zapp misses with a takedown
and Magomaevaboff cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zapp is breathing heavily.
Zapp misses with a takedown attempt
and Magomaevaboff counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Magomaevaboff connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zapp. Zapp circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Zapp is rocked!
Zapp goes for a double leg but Magomaevaboff avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Magomaevaboff continues to drive forward.
Zapp is still on wobbly legs! Can Magomaevaboff finish him?
Zapp leaves his chin hanging out and Magomaevaboff seizes the opportunity with an uppercut! Zapp crumbles to the floor in a heap! The referee steps in and tends to the downed fighter! What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Husein Magomaevaboff!