PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dinislam Gazimagomedov (ranked 24935 p4p, 557 weight class) and Alexei Barmin (ranked 3523 p4p, 363 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Alexei Barmin was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Gazimagomedov
vs
Barmin

178 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dinislam Gazimagomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexei Barmin!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gazimagomedov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Barmin sprawls well initially but Gazimagomedov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Barmin wants to improve his position but Gazimagomedov is controlling well.
Barmin wants to control but Gazimagomedov is keeping busy.
Gazimagomedov lands strikes from half guard.
Gazimagomedov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Gazimagomedov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Barmin on the ground.

Barmin actively working from the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barmin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gazimagomedov is keen to just control but Barmin is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov wants to free his trapped foot but Barmin is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Gazimagomedov wants to work for an arm triangle but Barmin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gazimagomedov is keen to just control but Barmin is a slippery customer.
Barmin wants to control but Gazimagomedov is keeping busy.
Barmin is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Gazimagomedov content to control rather than advance.
Barmin missing with punches from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

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.
Nice takedown defense from Gazimagomedov. No joy for Barmin on that attempt.

Gazimagomedov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Barmin!

Barmin throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Barmin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gazimagomedov to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Barmin has his feet on Gazimagomedov's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Gazimagomedov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Barmin keeping moving, preventing Gazimagomedov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Barmin is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Gazimagomedov wanted to stand there but Barmin had control of the position.
Gazimagomedov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gazimagomedov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gazimagomedov connects with a couple of short punches.

Gazimagomedov has gone for a leg lock! Barmin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gazimagomedov's guard.

Gazimagomedov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gazimagomedov tries to get out of the position.
Barmin wants to control from the top but Gazimagomedov keeps moving.
Gazimagomedov wants to sweep here but Barmin controlling him for the moment.
Gazimagomedov tries to strike from the bottom.
Gazimagomedov pulls Barmin in close to prevent any damage.
Gazimagomedov working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexei Barmin will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Barmin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gazimagomedov is looking to land body kicks.
Barmin throws a counter combo.
Gazimagomedov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Barmin defends it nicely.

Barmin gets a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gazimagomedov stops a takedown attempt from Barmin.
Gazimagomedov has Barmin pressed against the cage, preventing Barmin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gazimagomedov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Barmin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Barmin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gazimagomedov prevents it.
Dinislam Gazimagomedov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexei Barmin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Gazimagomedov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Gazimagomedov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Barmin smiles and moves away.
Gazimagomedov leaves Barmin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Gazimagomedov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gazimagomedov lands in his opponent's guard.
Barmin throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Gazimagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Barmin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gazimagomedov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Gazimagomedov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Barmin for as long as he can get away with.
Barmin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Alexei Barmin has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barmin keeping moving, preventing Gazimagomedov from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Barmin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Barmin clinches.
Gazimagomedov goes for a takedown attempt but Barmin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Gazimagomedov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gazimagomedov showed some decent athleticism there.

Barmin makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Gazimagomedov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gazimagomedov sets himself, and Barmin steps forward looking for the clinch! Gazimagomedov avoids it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Barmin defends it nicely.
Barmin steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Gazimagomedov.

Barmin forces Gazimagomedov back against the cage and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gazimagomedov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Barmin walks away with a smile on his face. Gazimagomedov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Barmin moves out of range as Gazimagomedov strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barmin leaves Gazimagomedov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gazimagomedov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Barmin counters with a big head kick but Gazimagomedov shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Barmin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Barmin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Gazimagomedov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Barmin, pushing him back against the cage.
Barmin is trying to pull guard but Gazimagomedov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Gazimagomedov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Barmin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gazimagomedov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Barmin just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Gazimagomedov tries to score a body lock takedown but Barmin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dinislam Gazimagomedov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gazimagomedov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Barmin rushes Gazimagomedov and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barmin wants to break free but Gazimagomedov has control.
Barmin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gazimagomedov or not.
Gazimagomedov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Barmin just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gazimagomedov is trying to pull guard but Barmin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Barmin lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gazimagomedov is trying to push Barmin away but Barmin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Barmin tries to pull guard but Gazimagomedov holds him up against the cage and eventually Barmin drops back down to his feet.
Gazimagomedov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Barmin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gazimagomedov tries to pull guard but Barmin won't allow it.
Barmin jumps guard but Gazimagomedov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barmin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barmin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gazimagomedov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gazimagomedov wants it to stay on the feet.

Barmin pushes Gazimagomedov up against the cage in a clinch.
Gazimagomedov fails to pull guard.
Gazimagomedov trying to control the position but instead, Barmin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gazimagomedov into the cage.
Gazimagomedov trying to stall but Barmin improves his position.
Barmin wants to break the clinch but can't.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Barmin pulls Gazimagomedov into guard.
Gazimagomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Barmin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gazimagomedov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barmin working a defensive guard here.
Gazimagomedov scoring with some ground and pound.
Gazimagomedov controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Gazimagomedov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Barmin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gazimagomedov has managed to get both his arms back between Barmin's legs - danger averted.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gazimagomedov throws a sloppy head kick

and Barmin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Barmin tries to score a body lock takedown but Gazimagomedov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Barmin tries to pull guard but Gazimagomedov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Gazimagomedov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Gazimagomedov closes the distance and pushes Barmin back into the cage.
Gazimagomedov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barmin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gazimagomedov's efforts to push away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gazimagomedov breaks from the clinch.
Dinislam Gazimagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexei Barmin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Gazimagomedov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Barmin tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gazimagomedov is in Barmin's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dinislam Gazimagomedov.
I think Barmin 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 28:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Alexei Barmin!