After becoming a champion in Wushu Sanda and on the regional scene, Magomed Magomedov made a name for himself in Bellator, becoming a notable name in a stacked bantamweight division. A DagFighter product, Magomedov has won seven of his last 10 fights. Both losses in his last three fights have come against Patchy Mix, the most recent being a highly controversial, split-decision loss with the Bellator Bantamweight World Title on the line at the Bellator Champions Series event in Paris last year.

 

Sarvarjon Khamidov is an undefeated fighter who now faces the toughest test of his career so far. Khamidov is not only a former regional champion himself, but he’s also a former Tajikistan National Wrestling Team member. He most recently fought at the Bellator Champions Series event in Dublin last year, defeating Marcirley Alves.

 

Who will win this Bantamweight Alternate Bout?

 

Round 1

 

 

Left hand and a kick from Magomedov. Khamidov responds with an exchange. Khamidov presses Magomedov into the fence. Knees to the body and a left hook from Khamidov. Both men land short shots on the inside. Magomedov tries to use his frame to create space, but Khamidov is pressing strong. The two fighters seem to be talking to one another. Strong forearms from Magomedov.

 

Khamidov scores the takedown and gets to Magomedov’s back. Khamidov gets both hooks in. Magomedov stands, but Khamidov goes into backpack position. Khamidov appears to be bleeding from the eyebrow after one of the Magomedov elbows. Khamidov tries to go across the chin, but Magomedov is hand fighting. Magomedov gets Khamidov off his back, and now it’s to the clinch. Khamidov presses Magomedov into the fence. Inside shots from Magomedov. Knee by Khamidov before a break. Left hand from Magomedov. Spinning backfist from Magomedov is blocked. Exchanging from both men in the center. Wheel kick by Magomedov. Khamidov with a kick. Magomedov with a level change, but Khamidov blocks it and presses Magomedov back into the fence, where the round ends.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kick from Khamidov. One-two from Magomedov. Jab from Magomedov. Khamidov with a takedown and he goes for the back. Magomedov shakes off a choke attempt, but Khamidov is still on his back standing. Khamidov presses Magomedov into the fence again. Magomedov changes his position and looks for a guillotine, but he loses it quickly. Inside shots from the two. Knees from Magomedov. Short punches from Khamidov. They break. Left hand from Magomedov. Jumping knee from Magomedov, but Khamidov blocks it. Another takedown from Khamidov, and he rolls to Magomedov’s back, looking for another choke.

 

Khamidov has a body triangle locked in. Khamidov is on the neck, but Magomedov is fighting out of it. Magomedov controls the right leg to get the body triangle off him. Magomedov powers through and gets into side control temporarily. The two get to their feet, and Magomedov looks for a guillotine. A couple of knees from Magomedov with the front facelock. Left hands from Magomedov. Another guillotine attempt. Magomedov goes high, and Khamidov manages to take the back again, putting Magomedov into the fence yet again as he looks for another takedown. Knee from Magomedov. Knee from Khamidov. The two exchange knees till the bell.

 

 

Round 3

 

Small shots from Magomedov. Magomedov misses a knee. Round kick from Khamidov and Magomedov misses a hook. Low kick from Magomedov. Magomedov flashes the right hand before another low kick. One-two from Khamidov. Left hand from Magomedov. Low kick from Khamidov. Backfist misses for Magomedov. Khamidov presses Magomedov into the fence again. Knee from Khamidov. Khamidov continues to look for an inside-leg takedown, but Magomedov is defending it well. Magomedov, however, is struggling with underhooks.

 

Khamidov goes for Magomedov’s ankle, but Magomedov has a Whizzer. The referee calls for action. Khamidov moves Magomedov around the fence. Magomedov encourages the crowd’s boos to try and get the ref to bring them back to the center. That happens with less than two minutes to go. Low kick from Magomedov. Jab from Magomedov. Spinning kick from Magomedov. Left hand from Magomedov. Magomedov avoids the takedown. Clash of punches. Overhand left from Magomedov. Low kick from Khamidov and a right hand from Magomedov. Khamidov presses Magomedov into the fence yet again. Magomedov briefly gets off the fence for another leaping knee, but it does nothing.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Magomed Magomedov def. Sarvarjon Khamidov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)