PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Cosmo Imai (ranked 3130 p4p, 6899 weight class) and Magomed Magomedov (ranked 389 p4p, 641 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Imai
vs
Magomedov

175 cm
25
153
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
26
168
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cosmo Imai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Magomed Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Magomedov stuffs the takedown attempt from Imai. Imai gets slowly back to his feet.

Magomedov feints and as Imai raises his hands in defense, Magomedov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Magomedov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Magomedov chips away with some ground and pound.
Imai bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Magomedov's guard.

Imai thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Magomedov keeping moving, preventing Imai from controlling successfully.
Imai advances to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov won't allow Imai to pass to mount.
Imai is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Magomedov!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Magomedov is squirming around, avoiding Imai's attempts to control the action.

Imai is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Magomedov can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Imai working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Magomedov is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Imai looking to control but Magomedov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Magomedov has given up his back.
Imai struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Magomedov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Imai gets his way!

Magomedov defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Imai's arms.
A lull in the action here.

Imai is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Magomedov is defending well though. Imai let's go of the attempt for now.
Magomedov is trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Imai working for the choke.
Imai tries to keep control of the position but Magomedov is staying busy.

Imai is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Magomedov is defending well though. Imai let's go of the attempt for now.

Imai looking to break Magomedov's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Magomedov remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Imai will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Imai has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Magomedov has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Imai tries to get the hooks in deep but Magomedov pushed the leg off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Magomedov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Imai gets his way!
Magomedov is trying to stand back up.

Imai has got his arm under Magomedov's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Magomedov has spun round into Imai's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Magomedov scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Magomedov connects with a couple of short punches.

Imai is rocked!
Magomedov arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Imai's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Magomed Magomedov!