PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marat Magomedov (ranked 405 p4p, 53 weight class) and Hugh Honey (ranked 562 p4p, 72 weight class). Magomedov comes to the ring accompanied by Evangelion OST - The Beast II. Honey comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Higher Love kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Magomedov
vs
Honey

178 cm
33
160 lbs
23 - 11 - 3

180 cm
32
162 lbs
20 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Condemned
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 3, fighting out of London, Marat Magomedov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hugh Honey!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Honey.
Hugh Honey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters circling - Magomedov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A slow jab from Honey misses its intended target.
Honey lands a slapping body shot.
Magomedov looks to land a right hand but Honey moved out of range.
Magomedov slips a straight right by Honey.
A little feinted left hand from Magomedov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Honey moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Honey tries a low kick but Magomedov avoids it.
Honey looks to throw the jab but Magomedov is out of range.
Honey misses with an uppercut
and Magomedov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Honey lands a nice shot to the body.
Honey ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Magomedov moves out of range as Honey strikes.
Magomedov throws a hook but Honey blocks it.
Honey throws an off balance right hand
enabling Magomedov to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honey throws a hook but Magomedov blocks it.
Honey scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Honey lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Magomedov moves out of range of the body kick from Honey.
Magomedov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Honey just manages to avoid it.
Honey throws the left hand but Magomedov avoids the punch easily.
Magomedov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Magomedov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Honey throws a poor cross that misses
and Magomedov counters with a nice leg kick.
Honey pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Magomedov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Magomedov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hugh Honey is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Honey goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
It appears Magomedov was looking to counter with a kick there.
Donk. Honey catches Magomedov right on the button with a cross.
Honey looks to land a left hand but Magomedov moved out of range nicely.
Honey 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Honey gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Magomedov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Magomedov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Honey slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Magomedov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Honey has control of Magomedov's left arm, preventing Magomedov from doing any damage.
Magomedov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Honey is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've been hearing good reports from Magomedov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Magomedov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Honey utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Magomedov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Honey is keeping the position for now.
Honey is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Honey preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Magomedov postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Honey holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Magomedov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Magomedov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Honey wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Magomedov working some strikes from top position.
Magomedov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Magomedov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Honey avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Magomedov advances position into side control!
Honey manages to work his way to half guard, despite Magomedov's best efforts.
Magomedov prevents Honey from improving his position.
Honey has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Magomedov is working away from the top position though.
Magomedov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Honey keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Honey wants to control but Magomedov is keeping busy.
Honey is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Magomedov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Honey is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Magomedov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Magomedov's back!
I really don't envy Magomedov right now.
Magomedov staying busy and making it hard for Honey to control.
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!
Honey has the hooks in. Magomedov is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Honey tries to keep control of the position but Magomedov is staying busy.
Honey controlling well, preventing Magomedov from escaping the position.
Magomedov is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hugh Honey will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Honey pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Magomedov quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Honey throws a series of punches but Magomedov moves out of range.
Magomedov tried to counter with a leg kick but Honey avoided it.
Honey waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Magomedov.
Honey misses with a looping right.
Magomedov throwing a counter right hand but Honey manages to avoid it.
Magomedov slips under a jab from Honey.
An attempted straight right counter from Magomedov misses the target.
Magomedov fails to land the takedown.

Magomedov moves into range and clinches up with Honey.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Honey prevents the takedown attempt.
Honey scores with a hook to the body.
Honey blocks a body shot from Magomedov.
Honey prevents a body shot from Magomedov.
Magomedov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Honey struggles to land a body shot inside as Magomedov controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Honey.
A head punch on the inside from Honey fails to land.
Honey cracks Magomedov with a nice body shot.
Honey blocking some punches.
Honey misses with a hook to the ribs.
Magomedov has a couple of punches blocked by Honey.

Magomedov ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Magomedov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Honey trying to control but Magomedov is working from the bottom.
Magomedov looking for a sweep. Not yet Magomedov, not yet.
Honey seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Magomedov wants to sweep here but Honey controlling him for the moment.
Honey trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Magomedov keeping moving, preventing Honey from controlling successfully.

Magomedov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Honey defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov trying to control the position.
Honey looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Magomedov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Honey got a little sloppy there for a moment and Magomedov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Honey has managed to get both his arms back between Magomedov's legs - danger averted.
Honey sitting in guard here, content to control.
Honey pushes down on Magomedov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Honey prevents Magomedov from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov trying to hold on to Honey's head to control him but Honey postures up.
Honey controlling the pace.
Magomedov is trying to get back to full guard.
Honey trying to pass the guard but Magomedov defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Magomedov looking for submissions off his back.
Magomedov wants to improve his position but Honey is controlling well.
Magomedov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Magomedov.

Magomedov working for a triangle but Honey defends it easily.
Honey works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Magomedov tries to roll over but Honey keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugh Honey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Honey lands with a shot to the body.
A slow jab from Honey misses its intended target.
Magomedov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Honey punishes Magomedov's body with a nice straight punch.
Magomedov slips a straight right by Honey.
A counter left hand to the body from Magomedov misses its target.
Honey has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Honey jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Magomedov misses with a body kick.
Honey throws an overhand right that lands on Magomedov's shoulder, as Magomedov tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomedov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Honey.
Honey misses with a wild combination.
Honey throws a hook to the side of Magomedov's head but Magomedov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little feinted left hand from Magomedov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honey swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Magomedov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A head kick misses from Honey.
A counter left hand to the body from Magomedov misses its target.
Honey chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Magomedov can pounce on him.
Honey looks to land a right hand but Magomedov moved out of range.
A jab from Honey misses.
Magomedov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Magomedov misses with a low kick.
Magomedov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Magomedov thinks about countering with a body kick.
Magomedov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Honey misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Magomedov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Honey throws a leg kick but Magomedov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Magomedov throws a body punch but Honey moves out of range.
Honey loads up on a big right hand but Magomedov slips the punch.
A counter left hand to the body from Magomedov misses its target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Honey chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Magomedov can pounce on him.
Honey lunges at Magomedov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Magomedov's hand.
Honey scores with a nice right hand.
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!
Honey thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Magomedov if he has to take too many more of those.
Honey loads up on a big right hand but Magomedov slips the punch.
Honey swings widly with a right hand
and Magomedov counters with a nice uppercut.
Honey misses with a right hand
and Magomedov counters with a left to the body.
Magomedov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Magomedov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Honey is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Magomedov.
Honey chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Magomedov can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Honey fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Honey misses with a looping right.
Magomedov tries for a takedown but Honey sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Magomedov misses with a body shot.
Honey swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Honey scores with a nice strike.
Honey missing with a left hand there. Magomedov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Magomedov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Honey.
Good standup being displayed there by Honey as he connects with a hook.
Honey throws a jab but it's blocked by Magomedov.
Honey lands with a shot to the body.
Honey misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Honey cracks Magomedov with a good jab.
Honey has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Magomedov.
Magomedov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Honey scores with a jab to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A cross from Honey lands.
Honey throws an overhand right that lands on Magomedov's shoulder, as Magomedov tries to avoid the shot.
Honey throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Magomedov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Honey checks it well.
Hugh Honey seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Honey rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Magomedov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Honey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Magomedov fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugh Honey really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Magomedov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Honey.
It looked like Magomedov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The fighters circling - Honey throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Magomedov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Honey scores with a jab to the jaw.
Honey keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Honey is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Honey connects with a nice looking jab.
Honey lands a right hook to the body.

Magomedov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Honey is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Honey wants to sweep but no luck.
Magomedov works over Honey with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honey is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Magomedov is trying to get back to full guard.
Honey looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Honey looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Honey trying to control from half guard but Magomedov is working away.
Magomedov is trying to control but can't.
Magomedov is not content to let Honey control the position.
Magomedov is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Honey passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Magomedov!
Magomedov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Magomedov is squirming around, avoiding Honey's attempts to control the action.
Magomedov tries to reverse the position but Honey maintains control.
Marat Magomedov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Honey looking to control but Magomedov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Honey controlling his opponent.
Honey's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Magomedov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Honey controlling his opponent.
Magomedov tries to reverse the position but Honey maintains control.
Magomedov is squirming around, avoiding Honey's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Honey might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Magomedov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Honey content just to control the position here.
Magomedov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Honey wants to control the pace but Magomedov is squirming around nicely.
Magomedov is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Honey trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Honey prevents Magomedov from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugh Honey dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Honey swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Magomedov jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Magomedov is looking to wear down Honey with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Honey throws a series of punches but Magomedov moves out of range.
Honey scoring well with a low kick there.
Magomedov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Honey.
Honey throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Magomedov counters with a leg kick.
Honey moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A swing and a miss from Honey.
Jab by Honey.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Honey buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Honey misses with a lunging right hand
and Magomedov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Magomedov misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honey misses with a hook. Magomedov ducked under it nicely.
Honey swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Magomedov throws a shot from downtown. Honey moves away and avoids it.
Honey pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Good exchange - Honey coming out on top.
Magomedov tries to land a front kick but Honey steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Magomedov is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Honey throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Magomedov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Magomedov throws a low kick but Honey moves out of range easily.
Honey appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Magomedov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Honey tries to avoid it but Magomedov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Honey to the ground. Honey escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Marat Magomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov lands an overhand right.
A slow jab from Honey misses its intended target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Honey.
Magomedov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A little feinted left hand from Magomedov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Magomedov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Honey misses with a body punch
and Magomedov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Honey pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Magomedov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Honey throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Honey swings for the body but Magomedov moves out of range.
As Honey backs away, Magomedov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Magomedov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Honey can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Honey fails to land with a series of punches.
Magomedov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Honey sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Magomedov somewhat.
A punch lands to the side of Magomedov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Magomedov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Honey.
Magomedov attempts a counter takedown but Honey avoids it well and moves away.
A slow jab from Honey misses its intended target.
Good exchange - Honey coming out on top.
Magomedov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Magomedov moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Honey takes a swing at Magomedov's ribcage but misses.
Jab from Honey.
Honey lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Magomedov at a distance.
Honey throws out a loose jab but Magomedov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Magomedov feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Magomedov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Honey.
Honey scores with a nice right hand.
Hugh Honey is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Honey punishes Magomedov's body with a nice straight punch.
Magomedov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
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!
Honey misses with a wild body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugh Honey comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Honey winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugh Honey!
Hugh Honey is the new lightweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Hugh Honey started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.