PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bagomed Umarov (ranked 2682 p4p, 3394 weight class) and Islam Makhachev (ranked 0 p4p, 372 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Islam Makhachev enters the cage!

Umarov
vs
Makhachev

188 cm
24
185
3 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
197
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bagomed Umarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Islam Makhachev!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Umarov closes the distance and pushes Makhachev back into the cage.
Umarov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Umarov scores with a knee to the head.
Umarov has had enough of the clinch but Makhachev keeps him there for the moment.
The referee is keeping an eye on Makhachev - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Umarov is trying to break the clinch but Makhachev has him pressed against the cage.
Makhachev is trying to break the clinch but Umarov is controlling him.
Makhachev is stalling here.
Umarov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Umarov is trying to push Makhachev away but Makhachev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Makhachev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Umarov.

Makhachev is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Umarov can't fight it off and eventually Makhachev manages to take the fight to the floor. Umarov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Umarov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Makhachev on the ground.
Makhachev trying to control the position from guard on top but Umarov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Makhachev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Makhachev pushes down on Umarov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Umarov is breathing heavily.
Makhachev 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.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Makhachev in particular looking to stall.
Makhachev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Makhachev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Umarov tries to kick Makhachev off in order to stand up. Makhachev Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

Makhachev has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Umarov is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Makhachev yanks on the arm and Umarov is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Makhachev.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Islam Makhachev!
Post fight, an emotional Islam Makhachev said 'I wanna thank my fans I do this for you guys I WANT U GUYS TO SEE MY CRUSH MY OPPONENTS I NEED A PAY DAY BROTHER SEND ANYONE ILL CRUSH THEM'.