PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Konstantin Magomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joaquim Maria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Magomedov might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Ave Maria. Maria is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kronos - Bloodtower. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Magomedov
vs
Maria

188 cm
39
245 lbs
38 - 22 - 0

193 cm
43
237 lbs
45 - 23 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Konstantin Magomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 45 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joaquim Maria!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Magomedov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Magomedov throws a leg kick that misses.
Magomedov closes the distance and clinches up with Maria, looking for a takedown. Magomedov pushes Maria against the cage but Maria circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Magomedov throws out a powerful jab.
Magomedov is looking to clinch but Maria is avoiding it.
Maria walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Magomedov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Maria has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Maria looks for the body kick but Magomedov saw that one coming.
Maria throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
We've been hearing reports that Magomedov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A slow jab from Magomedov misses its intended target.
Maria stuffs the takedown attempt from Magomedov. Magomedov gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Magomedov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice cross by Magomedov.
Both fighters circling a little - Maria finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Maria unleashes a big counter combination but Magomedov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Maria misses with a body kick.
Magomedov attempts a counter takedown but Maria avoids it well and moves away.
Maria misses with a body kick.
Magomedov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Maria sprawls and moves away.
Magomedov connects with a nice looking jab.

Magomedov moves into the clinch.
Magomedov misses with a punch on the inside.

Maria breaks from the clinch.
Joaquim Maria is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maria takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A head kick misses from Maria.
Magomedov scores with a nice head shot.
Maria walks into a left hand.
Maria throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Maria misses with a few strikes there.
Magomedov wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Magomedov.
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 looks to land a right hand but Maria moved out of range.
Magomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Maria counters with a body kick.
Magomedov moves out of range as Maria throws a body kick.
Magomedov misses with a hook. Maria ducked under it nicely.
Magomedov throws a chopping leg kick but Maria manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Magomedov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Magomedov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Magomedov misses with a punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Maria's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Magomedov digs a right hand underneath Maria's ribcage. Maria let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Magomedov misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maria breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Magomedov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maria was well out of range. Poor timing from Magomedov.
Maria avoids a punch combination nicely.
Magomedov digs a good body shot into Maria's ribs.
Maria connects with a high kick.
Maria throws a front kick that sends Magomedov stumbling back into the cage.
Maria blocks the body kick.
Magomedov lands with a shot to the body.

Magomedov shoots in and gets a takedown into Maria's guard.
Magomedov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maria swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Magomedov throws a strike but Maria rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Magomedov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Maria controls the pace.
Magomedov has a closed guard, preventing Maria from standing up.
Maria is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Magomedov wants to sweep but no luck.
Magomedov is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Magomedov pulls Maria in close to his closed guard and prevents Maria from doing any damage or advancing position.
Maria is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konstantin Magomedov dominated that 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.

Magomedov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Maria momentarily.
Maria needs to keep his hands up - Magomedov had a free shot at his head there.
Magomedov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Maria fakes the leg kick and cracks Magomedov in the body.
Konstantin Magomedov is winning the standup battle so far.
Maria throws a push kick but Magomedov slaps the foot to one side.
Magomedov moves out of range of the body kick from Maria.
Magomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Maria throws a front kick that sends Magomedov stumbling back into the cage.
Maria swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Magomedov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Magomedov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Magomedov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Maria blocking the ground and pound attempt from Magomedov.
Magomedov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov is pressing down on Maria's thigh, looking to free his foot. Maria is holding on for now.
Magomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Magomedov wants to pass the guard but Maria is defending well.
Magomedov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maria defending well though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magomedov is trying to control. Maria wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Maria keeping control of the position.
Maria avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Magomedov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Magomedov working Maria over with strikes.
Magomedov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Magomedov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Magomedov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Magomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maria keeps working.
Magomedov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Maria is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Magomedov trying to pass the guard but Maria defending well.
Magomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Magomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maria keeps working.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Magomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Magomedov is trying to control. Maria wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Maria keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Maria keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Magomedov throws a strike but Maria avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Magomedov with a nice head shot there.
Magomedov trying to control but Maria is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov works over Maria with some ground and pound from guard.
Maria seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Magomedov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Magomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Maria is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Konstantin Magomedov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Magomedov scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maria manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Magomedov manages to get himself to full guard.

Maria postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konstantin Magomedov dominated that second round.
That's time! Magomedov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Magomedov scoring well with a low kick there.
Maria throws a head kick that misses.
Maria ducks under a wild hook from Magomedov.
Maria takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Magomedov just misses with a punch to the body.
Magomedov throws a leg kick but Maria moved away.
Maria tests Magomedov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maria lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Magomedov motions for Maria to come forward. Magomedov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Magomedov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maria thinks about the counter body kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Magomedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maria pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Magomedov throws a head kick but Maria moves out of range.
Magomedov swings for the body but Maria moves out of range.
Maria throws a lazy head kick

and Magomedov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Maria's guard.
Magomedov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maria is keeping the position for now.
Magomedov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Magomedov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Magomedov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Magomedov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Magomedov landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maria can't keep his opponent in guard - Magomedov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Magomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Magomedov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maria's head.
Magomedov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maria's head.
Magomedov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maria defending well though.
Magomedov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Magomedov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Maria keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Magomedov trying to control from half guard but Maria is working away.
Maria blocking the ground and pound attempt from Magomedov.
Magomedov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Magomedov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Magomedov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Magomedov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maria's head.
Magomedov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Magomedov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Magomedov working over Maria with some ground and pound. Maria looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Konstantin Magomedov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Magomedov slows the pace down in half guard.
Magomedov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maria defending well though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Magomedov wants to pass the guard but Maria is defending well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Magomedov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

And that's the end of the fight!
Konstantin Magomedov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Magomedov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Konstantin Magomedov!
Konstantin Magomedov thanked the fans post fight for their support.