PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paulius Zurauskas (ranked 1117 p4p, 1099 weight class) and Maksud Magomedov (ranked 133 p4p, 132 weight class). Magomedov has chosen Lezginka - Kavkaz as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zurauskas
vs
Magomedov

195 cm
34
239
19 - 16 - 0

180 cm
34
226
20 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Paulius Zurauskas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Maksud Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Magomedov moves into the clinch successfully.

Zurauskas wants the takedown. Magomedov is fighting it off but Zurauskas persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Magomedov's guard against the cage.
Magomedov wants to sweep here but Zurauskas controlling him for the moment.
Magomedov trying to control the position.
Zurauskas trying to control but Magomedov is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov tries to strike from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Magomedov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zurauskas.
Zurauskas throws an off balance right hand
and Magomedov counters with a nice uppercut.
Magomedov slips under a jab.
Magomedov wants to clinch up but Zurauskas keeps it at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Magomedov is defended easily by Zurauskas.
Zurauskas throws a quick counter kick to the body but Magomedov avoids it.

Magomedov shoots in and bounces Zurauskas off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov works over Zurauskas with some ground and pound from guard.
Zurauskas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Zurauskas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Magomedov defends well.
Zurauskas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Magomedov wants to pass the guard but Zurauskas is keeping the position.
Zurauskas trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zurauskas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Zurauskas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Zurauskas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Magomedov throws a big right hand that misses.
Magomedov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Zurauskas preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Magomedov is in close to Zurauskas's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Magomedov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Magomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Zurauskas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Magomedov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Zurauskas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Magomedov defends it easily.
Magomedov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Zurauskas working for a triangle but Magomedov defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Magomedov works over Zurauskas with some ground and pound from guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Maksud Magomedov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Magomedov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Magomedov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Zurauskas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Magomedov.
Zurauskas smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Zurauskas throws a hook to the side of Magomedov's head but Magomedov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Magomedov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Magomedov has a takedown stuffed.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Zurauskas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov shoots in for a takedown but Zurauskas shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Paulius Zurauskas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maksud Magomedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zurauskas throws a shot from downtown. Magomedov moves away and avoids it.
Magomedov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zurauskas counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Zurauskas looks to throw the jab but Magomedov is out of range.

Zurauskas shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Magomedov is trying to defend but Zurauskas finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Zurauskas is looking for a kimura here.
Zurauskas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Magomedov can do to turn this around?
Zurauskas trying to control from half guard but Magomedov is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Magomedov is defending against the submission attempts here by Zurauskas.
Magomedov regains full guard. Nicely done.

Magomedov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Magomedov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zurauskas engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Zurauskas trying to control but Magomedov is working from the bottom.

Magomedov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zurauskas is aware though and is defending well.
Zurauskas looking to sit in guard and control but Magomedov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Zurauskas seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Magomedov pushes down on Zurauskas's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Zurauskas trying to control from the bottom.
Zurauskas is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Magomedov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Zurauskas looking for submissions off his back.
Paulius Zurauskas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Magomedov wants to free his trapped foot but Zurauskas is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zurauskas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Zurauskas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paulius Zurauskas dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Magomedov fails with a takedown attempt.

Magomedov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Zurauskas's half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zurauskas wants to control but Magomedov is keeping busy.

Magomedov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Magomedov there.
Zurauskas trying to control here.
Zurauskas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Magomedov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Magomedov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Zurauskas taking some punishment here, with Magomedov in his half guard.
Zurauskas is trying to maintain the position but Magomedov is very close to passing his half guard.
Zurauskas holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Zurauskas is refusing to be controlled, as Magomedov sits in half guard.
Magomedov wants to pass to mount but Zurauskas is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zurauskas is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Magomedov pulls his head out easily.
Magomedov is looking to stall here but Zurauskas recovers full guard.

Zurauskas 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.
Zurauskas will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zurauskas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Magomedov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Magomedov lands a couple of digs.

Zurauskas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zurauskas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Magomedov.
Magomedov wants to pass the guard but Zurauskas is keeping the position.
Magomedov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

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

Magomedov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zurauskas is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zurauskas slips nicely into half guard.
Magomedov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zurauskas is working away from the top position though.

Zurauskas is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Magomedov is just riding it out for now. Zurauskas eventually gives up the hold.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zurauskas tries to pass to full mount but Magomedov defends it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maksud Magomedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Magomedov 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maksud Magomedov!
Maksud Magomedov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.