Akhmed Magomedov, a protegee of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, racked up over 70 amateur bouts before making his professional MMA debut in April 2017. He enters this fight with a 10-1 record, with six finishes, four of which have come via the first round. This will be Magomedov’s first fight in almost exactly two years, however, having not fought since his loss to Henry Corrales at Bellator 290.

 

Nathan Kelly’s professional MMA career began with two losses – and he hasn’t lost since, entering tonight with an 11-fight win streak. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with five submission victories, Kelly trains at the renowned SBG Ireland gym under John Kavanagh. Kelly last fought in June, submitting Jose Sanchez with a ninja choke.

 

Will Magomedov score a win in his return, or will Kelly continue his rise toward greatness?

 

 

Round 1

 

Kelly with a low kick to start. More low kicks by Kelly. Low kick from Magomedov. Kelly with a calf kick. Kelly with another low kick. A battle in the clinch as the two trade, with Kelly not allowing Magomedov to get a grip but taking a combination. Magomedov does get to Kelly’s back though and he scores a solid takedown. Kelly gets up toward the fence. Kelly lands a strong elbow that rocks Magomedov. He pounces on Magomedov on the ground. Magomedov has a cut on his head as he looks for butterfly hooks. Kelly works his way into side control before getting to Magomedov’s back.

 

Kelly has a body triangle on Magomedov’s back backpack style. Magomedov, with the cut around his eyebrow, works him off and presses Kelly against the fence. The referee calls for time as Magomedov looks to deliver elbows, as Magomedov accidentally landed to the groin. Magomedov gets another easy takedown on the fight’s resumption. Magomedov lands a pair of right hands to the body. Magomedov searches for, and gets, the Dagestani handcuff behind Kelly’s back, as he delivers several shots to the head.

 

 

Round 2

 

Magomedov gets an easy takedown 15 seconds into the start of the round. Kelly’s back is against the fence as Magomedov traps his legs. Right hand by Magomedov. Left hand to the body. A couple of more right hands from Magomedov, as Kelly tries to free himself. Magomedov gets to Kelly’s back, trying to snake around and get under the neck. Kelly frees himself but gets caught with the Dagestani handcuff again.

 

Magomedov not posturing up much, but he’s in side control and in complete control, landing short left hands. Magomedov is mounted on Kelly, with hooks just about in place, as he lands left hands. Magomedov’s pace picks up, landing shot after shot, before locking up a choke and scoring the submission!

 

 

In his first fight in two years, Akhmed Magomedov gets a fairly easy victory!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly via second-round submission (rear-naked choke, 4:22)