PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Luca Rossi (ranked 5693 p4p, 5750 weight class) and Rustam Magomedov (ranked 563 p4p, 568 weight class). Rossi comes into the arena with Lamu blaring out of the sound system. Rustam Magomedov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Rossi
vs
Magomedov

198 cm
22
177
3 - 1 - 0

181 cm
22
179
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luca Rossi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rustam Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Magomedov stuns Rossi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Magomedov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rossi misses with a head kick.
Magomedov has his takedown stuffed

and Rossi counters by moving into the clinch.

Rossi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Magomedov looks for a takedown but Rossi sprawls well.
Magomedov shoots in for a takedown but Rossi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Luca Rossi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rustam Magomedov.

Magomedov closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rossi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Magomedov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Rossi manages to break the clinch.
Rossi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi wants to clinch.
Rossi sets himself, and Magomedov steps forward looking for the clinch! Rossi avoids it this time.
Rossi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rossi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Magomedov avoids it really well and circles away.
Magomedov avoids the head kick by Rossi.
Magomedov goes for a double leg but Rossi avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rossi continues to drive forward.
Magomedov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rossi's waist but Rossi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Magomedov off to one side.
Rossi pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rossi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rossi really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nice body punch from Magomedov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Magomedov.
Rossi feinted with a counter takedown.
Rossi avoids the head kick by Magomedov.
Rossi is looking to counter punch.
Rossi misses with a double jab.
Magomedov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rossi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Magomedov misses with a hook.

Magomedov rushes Rossi and presses him up against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Rossi - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Magomedov is stalling here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov stops a takedown attempt from Rossi.
Magomedov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rossi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Magomedov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rossi walks away with a smile on his face. Magomedov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Magomedov shoots in for a takedown but Rossi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rossi throws a quick counter head kick but Magomedov was just out of range.
Magomedov looks winded!
Rossi throws a sloppy head kick and Magomedov moves out of range easily.
As Rossi backs off Magomedov throws a huge counter combo but Rossi manages to avoid it all.
Rossi leaves Magomedov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rossi wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

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.
Magomedov tries a head kick but it misses.
Rossi shoots in for a takedown but Magomedov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Rossi instigates a clinch.
Magomedov is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Rossi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

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

Magomedov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Rossi tries for a takedown. No joy.

Magomedov jumps into guard, dragging Rossi to the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Luca Rossi will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Magomedov wants to clinch but Rossi slips to the side

so Rossi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rossi preventing the sweep.
Rossi is working Magomedov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Magomedov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magomedov pulls Rossi in close to his closed guard and prevents Rossi from doing any damage or advancing position.
Rossi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov controlling the position.
Magomedov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov misses with a takedown attempt - Rossi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rustam Magomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Magomedov tries to clinch but Rossi moves away
and Rossi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Magomedov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rossi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rossi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Magomedov defends it nicely.
Magomedov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rossi is fending him off so far but Magomedov persists. Nope, Rossi circles away and we're back to standing.
Rossi misses with a takedown
and Magomedov counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov shoots in for a takedown but Rossi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As Magomedov looks to move away, Rossi throws a big counter combo but Magomedov just gets out of the way.
Luca Rossi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rustam Magomedov.
Magomedov is breathing heavily.
Magomedov has a takedown stuffed.
Rossi seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Magomedov tries to clinch there but Rossi circles away.
Luca Rossi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rossi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Magomedov with the counter takedown but Rossi avoids it easily.
Rossi dodges the punch combination from Magomedov.

Rossi moves into the clinch.

Rossi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov leaves Rossi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Magomedov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Magomedov wants to clinch up but Rossi keeps it at a distance.
Rossi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rossi wants to clinch.
Magomedov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rossi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Magomedov instigates a clinch.
Rossi tries to pull guard but Magomedov holds him up against the cage and eventually Rossi drops back down to his feet.
Magomedov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rossi walks away with a smile on his face. Magomedov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rossi goes for a double leg but Magomedov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Magomedov continues to drive forward.
Rossi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Magomedov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Magomedov manages to pull guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rossi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rossi has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Magomedov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rossi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Luca Rossi will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Magomedov clinches up against the cage.

Rossi pulls guard.

Rossi working for a triangle but Magomedov defends it easily.

Rossi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Magomedov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Magomedov.
Rossi is trying to get back to half guard.
Rossi throws an elbow that doesn't really do any damage.
Magomedov throwing strikes but Rossi manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Rossi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Magomedov keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Magomedov is looking to reverse the position.
Magomedov parries the strikes from Rossi easily there. Rossi is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Magomedov to escape.
Rossi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Magomedov bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Magomedov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rossi defends it nicely.
Magomedov shoots in looking for a takedown. Rossi tries to sprawl out of it but Magomedov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rossi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Magomedov stuffs the takedown.
Magomedov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rossi as he avoids it easily.
Luca Rossi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rustam Magomedov.
Magomedov with a poor takedown

and Rossi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Magomedov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rossi manages to break the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Magomedov.
Magomedov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rossi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Magomedov is fending him off so far but Rossi persists. Nope, Magomedov circles away and we're back to standing.

Magomedov clinches with his opponent.

Rossi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Magomedov fails to land with a series of punches.
Magomedov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rossi counters by moving into the clinch.

Rossi breaks the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rossi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Magomedov to the mat! Magomedov manages to get full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Magomedov keeping moving, preventing Rossi from controlling successfully.
Rustam Magomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luca Rossi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rossi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Magomedov's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luca Rossi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rossi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luca Rossi!
Luca Rossi made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'That was expected'.