PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zabit Magomedov (ranked 579 p4p, 637 weight class) and Shahriyar Chai (ranked 78 p4p, 88 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Shahriyar Chai enters the cage!

Magomedov
vs
Chai

179 cm
35
175
19 - 15 - 1

179 cm
27
173
13 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
Shadow Realm Apparel

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 19 - 15 - 1, fighting out of London, Zabit Magomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Shahriyar Chai!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chai shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Chai takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Chai tries to move into range but Magomedov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Chai shoots in for a takedown but Magomedov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Magomedov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Magomedov connects with a nice looking jab.
Magomedov lands a head kick!
Chai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A left and a right from Chai both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Zabit Magomedov has been cut.
A nice leg kick from Magomedov, right into the meat of the thigh.
A nice leg kick from Magomedov, right into the meat of the thigh.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Magomedov thows a leg kick but Chai checks it

and Chai holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Chai tries to throw a body punch but Magomedov avoids it by throwing Chai back against the cage.
A short right from Magomedov on the inside.

Chai has picked Magomedov up - he's going for a ride! Chai dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Chai seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Chai working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chai is pressing down on Magomedov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Magomedov is holding on for now.
Chai thows a huge punch but Magomedov dodges it nicely.
Chai missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Magomedov wants to improve his position but Chai is controlling well.
Chai landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Magomedov trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Magomedov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Magomedov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Chai not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Magomedov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Chai's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Chai has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Chai working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Chai chips away with some ground and pound.
Chai trying to control the position from guard on top but Magomedov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Magomedov is trying to control the position but Chai postures up.
Magomedov is controlling Chai's posture.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Chai wants to pass the guard but Magomedov is keeping the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Magomedov pushes Chai away with a front kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chai walks into a straight right hand from Magomedov.
Chai thuds a left hand into Magomedov's body.
Magomedov tries a low kick but Chai avoids it.
Chai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Magomedov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Chai looks to throw the jab but Magomedov is out of range.
Magomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Magomedov looks for the body kick but Chai saw that one coming.
Magomedov thumps Chai with a low kick.
Chai comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Magomedov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Chai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Chai shoots in and drives through. Magomedov sprawls well.
An attempted straight right counter from Magomedov misses the target.
Zabit Magomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shahriyar Chai.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chai moves away.
Chai misses with a double jab
and Magomedov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Magomedov misses with a body shot.
Chai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Chai throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Magomedov on the side of the head.
Chai scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Magomedov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Chai lands a slapping body shot.
Chai swings widly with a right hand
and Magomedov counters with a nice body shot.
Chai walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Magomedov looks to score with a jab to the body but Chai is just out of range.
Magomedov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Chai checks a leg kick.
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 Zabit Magomedov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Zabit Magomedov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Magomedov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Magomedov tried to score with a low kick but Chai checks it.
Chai swings for the body but Magomedov moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Chai misses the target.
Magomedov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Chai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Chai walks into a straight right hand from Magomedov.
Chai takes one to the side of the head.
Chai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Magomedov circles away quickly and effectively.
Chai swings for the body but Magomedov moves out of range.
It looked like Magomedov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Chai.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Magomedov.
Magomedov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Chai's head.
Chai looks to land a combination but Magomedov avoids it well.
Zabit Magomedov is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice straight punches there by Magomedov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Magomedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Magomedov avoids the body shot from Chai.
Magomedov tries a head kick but it misses.
Chai misses with a series of wild punches.
Chai throws a hook to the side of Magomedov's head but Magomedov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Magomedov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Chai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Magomedov.
Magomedov lands with a shot to the body.
Magomedov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Chai was well out of range. Poor timing from Magomedov.
Chai blocks a head kick by Magomedov.
Chai throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Magomedov's waist but Magomedov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chai off to one side.
Magomedov connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Magomedov, as that shot connected.
Chai tries to move into range but Magomedov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Magomedov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Magomedov throws a counter high kick but Chai was just alert enough to avoid it.
Chai jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Magomedov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Chai is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Magomedov rather than just go for the knockout.

Chai looking to score a takedown here. Magomedov is defending well but Chai drives through and ends up in Magomedov's guard.
Magomedov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chai is one step ahead there.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Magomedov holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov wants to sweep here but Chai controlling him for the moment.
Chai throws a big right hand that misses.
Chai working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Magomedov's head.
Magomedov keeping moving, preventing Chai from controlling successfully.
Chai with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Magomedov looking to control.
Chai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Magomedov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Magomedov is looking to stand up but Chai isn't so interested in that idea.

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

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.
A shot to the body from Magomedov misses

and Chai counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Chai.
Chai has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Magomedov after a bit of a struggle.
Chai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Chai pushes Magomedov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Chai lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Magomedov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Magomedov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Chai backwards.
Chai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Magomedov's elbow.
Magomedov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Magomedov.
Chai prevents a body shot from Magomedov.
Chai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Chai.
Chai tries to work over Magomedov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chai pushes Magomedov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shahriyar Chai will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Zabit Magomedov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Chai shoots for a takedown but Magomedov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Magomedov throws a shot from downtown. Chai moves away and avoids it.
Magomedov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Magomedov tries a head kick but it misses.
Chai doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Chai scores with a body shot.
Magomedov scoring well with a low kick there.
Chai misses with a body shot.

Chai changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Magomedov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Chai throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Magomedov is trying to control Chai's posture but Chai avoids it.
Magomedov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Shahriyar Chai has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chai trying to control the position but Magomedov is working away.
You can see the frustration on Magomedov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Magomedov is not content to let Chai control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chai cracks Magomedov with an elbow. That is naaassty.
A lull in the action here.
Magomedov is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two 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.
Chai working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Chai sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Magomedov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Magomedov is looking to reverse the position.

Chai is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Magomedov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Magomedov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Magomedov tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Chai easily slips into full mount!
Magomedov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chai working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Magomedov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Chai is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Chai scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Magomedov?
Chai is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Magomedov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Chai on the ground.
Magomedov can't escape the position.
Chai takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Chai landing punches.
Chai trying to control but Magomedov is having none of it.
Chai lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chai is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Magomedov can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Chai has hold of Magomedov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Magomedov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Chai controlling from mount.
Magomedov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Magomedov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Magomedov tries to get out of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Magomedov tries to hold on but Chai postures up.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Magomedov taking shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shahriyar Chai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Chai 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Zabit Magomedov!
A relieved looking Zabit Magomedov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.