Rasul Magomedov Survives Early Knockdown, Uses Takedowns And Grappling Edge To Score Decision

Rasul Magomedov found success through freestyle wrestling, going on to become the 2019 Freestyle Wrestling World Cup Winner and 2021 Combat Sambo World Champion. A member of the Bahrain national MMA team, Magomedov went 15-0 as an amateur, becoming the 2021 and 2022 IMMAF World Champion at heavyweight. He comes into his PFL debut tonight with a 7-0 pro record, most recently defeating Lukasz Olech in November.

Guilherme Viana is a product of Teixeira MMA and Fitness who made his pro debut in 2012. Viana went 1-2 in Bellator but retired from professional MMA in 2016, citing injuries and a lack of enjoyment. Viana, however, returned to the cage last year with wins over Terrance Jean-Jacques and Hassan Graham, claiming a regional heavyweight title in the process.

Who will come out on top in this light heavyweight showcase?

Round 1

Viana moving along the outside. Viana misses a jumping kick but lands a jab. Left hand by Viana. Viana lands a combination. Left hand down the middle drops Magomedov! Magomedov’s back up, but he’s definitely being troubled by the angles Viana is attacking from. Magomedov misses the overhand. Magomedov goes for a takedown, pressing Viana into the fence. Left hand by Viana. Magomedov misses a kick to the body. Magomedov misses a pair of overhand rights. Magomedov lands one and goes for another takedown unsuccessfully. Another right hand and this time he gets the takedown.

Beautiful 1st Round connection for Guilherme Viana 🔥

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Viana closes his guard as Magomedov tries to land. Some left hands landing for Magomedov on the ground. Viana going for an armbar, but Magomedov escapes. Viana scrambles, but Magomedov has a hold of him. Some left hands by Magomedov. Left hand by Magomedov. A couple of knees to the leg. Another hook by Magomedov. Magomedov with another left hand. He continues to land it, preventing Viana from standing back up until there’s about 40 seconds left in the round. The round ends with Magomedov pinning Viana against the fence, landing a few inside shots.

Round 2

Magomedov with an overhand right. Magomedov scores another takedown briefly, landing left hands until Viana gets up. Overhand left hand by Magomedov, and he scores another takedown. A couple of left hands from Magomedov. Magomedov coming down with left hands, working the body. Magomedov gets past into half guard, but Viana scrambles to get full guard back. A couple of left hands from Magomedov. Right hand by Magomedov.

Magomedov trying to get around Viana’s guard, while Viana is trying to get away from the ground pressure of Magomedov. Viana’s looking to set up for a triangle, but he can’t get his legs over the shoulder. Magomedov passes into half guard again. He lands a few right hands before Viana resets his guard. Magomedov not doing too much damage with his punches, but the pressure itself seems to be enough to dictate the action. He’s shut down Viana’s offense. Magomedov lands a couple of body shots and ends the round on top.

Round 3

Left hand by Magomedov. He misses an overhand right. Uppercut lands for Viana. Viana throws a jab to the body. Low kick by Viana. Viana lands a left. Viana lands a hook. Left hand from Magomedov connects strongly, and he presses Viana back into the fence. Viana works his way off the fence. Another left hand by Viana. Magomedov connects with his again, though, and he presses Viana into the fence. Magomedov with a takedown attempt doesn’t work. A second body lock throw works, however, and Magomedov gets right into side control.

Magomedov moves into half guard. He connects with left hands again. Shoulder punch by Magomedov as Viana sits up against the fence. Viana gets to his feet, but Magomedov brings him back down. Magomedov back to doing work in the half guard. Viana’s corner telling him to get back to his feet, but he’s struggling to find a way out of Magomedov’s control. Hail-Mary triangle choke attempt, but Magomedov easily slips out. Magomedov ends the fight on top, in Viana’s guard.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Rasul Magomedov def. Guilherme Viana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)