PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Magomedsaid Omarov (ranked 3003 p4p, 0 weight class) and Almedin Hafizovic (ranked 4121 p4p, 0 weight class). Almedin Hafizovic will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Omarov
vs
Hafizovic

180 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magomedsaid Omarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Almedin Hafizovic!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jorge Garcia and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Omarov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hafizovic napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Omarov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hafizovic has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Omarov but great work by Hafizovic.
Hafizovic trying to control the position but Omarov is working away.
Omarov tries to bench press Hafizovic off him but Hafizovic keeps the position.
Omarov tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Hafizovic easily slips into full mount!
Omarov tries to reverse the position but Hafizovic maintains control.
Hafizovic wants to control the pace but Omarov is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Omarov is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Omarov wants to control but Hafizovic is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Omarov is looking to get to half guard.
Hafizovic thowing shots but they're missing.
Omarov wants to hold on but Hafizovic pushes him away.
Omarov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Omarov tries to get out of the position.
Omarov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Omarov wants to hold on but Hafizovic pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hafizovic wants to finish this one by submission but Omarov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hafizovic.
Omarov is trying to escape the mount.
Omarov is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Omarov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Omarov reaches up and holds on to Hafizovic to control the position.
Omarov wants to control but Hafizovic is having none of it.

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.

Hafizovic is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Omarov to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Omarov shrugs it off.
Hafizovic looks winded!
Omarov is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Omarov tries to hold on but Hafizovic postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Omarov reaches up to try and control the position but Hafizovic seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Omarov rolls and tries to escape and now Hafizovic has his back!
Omarov tries to roll but Hafizovic sticks to his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Almedin Hafizovic dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Omarov tries a head kick but it misses.
Hafizovic looks to land a body kick but Omarov moved away.
Omarov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Omarov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hafizovic wants to clinch.
Omarov shoots in for a takedown but Hafizovic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Omarov gets the takedown into side control.
Hafizovic tries to improve position but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Omarov wants to stand but Hafizovic is controlling his arm.
Hafizovic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Hafizovic is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hafizovic is breathing heavily.
Omarov wants to stand but Hafizovic is controlling his arm.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Hafizovic pushes Omarov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Omarov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Omarov clinches with his opponent.

Omarov gets control of Hafizovic's arms and successfully pulls guard. Omarov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Hafizovic preventing the sweep.
Omarov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Omarov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Omarov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Omarov keeping moving, preventing Hafizovic from controlling successfully.

Omarov has his foot on Hafizovic's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hafizovic works his way back into a safe position though.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Omarov trying to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hafizovic tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Omarov swivels and escapes.
Omarov is looking for a counter combo.
Hafizovic moves out of range of the leg kick from Omarov.
Omarov sets himself, and Hafizovic steps forward looking for the clinch! Omarov avoids it this time.

Omarov gets the takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Omarov stalls from top position.

Omarov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hafizovic stops Omarov from passing to mount.

Omarov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hafizovic is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Omarov asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Omarov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hafizovic is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Omarov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hafizovic is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magomedsaid Omarov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Omarov gets the takedown into side control.

Hafizovic bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Omarov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Hafizovic has his foot on Omarov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Omarov works his way back into a safe position though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Omarov wants to pass the guard but Hafizovic is keeping the position.
Hafizovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Omarov wants to stand but Hafizovic has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hafizovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Omarov tries to free his leg and advance position but Hafizovic is retaining full guard.
Omarov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hafizovic on the ground.

Hafizovic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Omarov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Omarov throws a head kick that misses.
Nice sprawl there from Omarov as Hafizovic shoots in.

Omarov darts in and clinches Hafizovic up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Omarov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Magomedsaid Omarov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Omarov circles away from the clinch attempt.

Hafizovic gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Omarov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Omarov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Omarov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Omarov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Omarov passes Hafizovic's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Almedin Hafizovic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Omarov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Omarov wants to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hafizovic misses with a takedown attempt - Omarov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Omarov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Omarov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hafizovic tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Omarov is in Hafizovic's guard.
Omarov tries to free his leg and advance position but Hafizovic is retaining full guard.
Omarov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hafizovic's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Magomedsaid Omarov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Omarov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Magomedsaid Omarov!