Beneil Dariush vs. Rashid Magomedov

Round 1
Dariush tries an early left high kick, then has to dodge a whipping front kick from Magomedov seconds later. Magomedov catches Dariush’s next kick but can’t convert it into anything. Dariush steps in to clinch and uses the Thai plum to pull down the Russian’s head while delivering knees to the body. The lighweights wind up grappling on the fence, where Magomedov thwarts a takedown and stuffs Dariush to the ground instead. Dariush stands up with Magomedov still wrapped around his waist, and the lightweights go back to fighting on the fence. Dariush gets his back against the fence, but Magomedov’s next inside knee lands to the groin. Referee Herb Dean gives Dariush time to recover, and soon they’re back to business with half the round remaining. Dariush lands a hard, clean body kick and pops Magomedov with a standing elbow as he steps inside. Magomedov presses Dariush against the wall and the pace slows in the final minute, until Magodmedov hits a late takedown to finish the round on top.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Dariush
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Dariush
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dariush

Round 2
Dariush connects with a hard left straight, then backs up Magomedov to the fence and grazes with a left over the top. Both lightweights connect with leg kicks, then Magomedov places one on the body of Dariush while stepping out to the center. Dariush pushes Magomedov back to the outside with a Thai clinch, scoring with several good knees to the body along the way. The action stalls out as Dariush works on controlling Magomedov on the fence. Magomedov finally escapes with 45 seconds on the clock, but he winds up trying to hold Dariush on the cage in what turns into another stalemate to close the round.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Dariush
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Dariush
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dariush

Round 3
Dariush tries to close the gap in a hurry, but he walks into the waiting clinch of Magomedov, who punishes the jiu-jitsu black belt with hard uppercuts inside. Magomedov pushes Dariush’s back against the fence, but Dariush neutralizes the position with another Thai clinch. Dariush lands a few good knees to the body before escaping from the tie-up and sprinting back to the center of the cage. Another clinch from Dariush yields more knees to the midsection of Magomedov, who gets backed up to a cage post inside the three-minute mark. The lightweights hit the floor in a whizzer, then spring back up, where Dariush reestablishes his position on the outside. Referee Herb Dean is calling for work, and none is forthcoming, so the ref restarts them in the center with under two minutes remaining. Magomedov connects with a solid right hand and pushes Dariush to the outside again. Dariush grabs the Thai plum once again and begins firing knees up the middle as the 155ers engage in a tired clinch. They split with 30 seconds to go; Magomedov tries to close the distance but gets backed off by Dariush’s punches. Dariush gets the final word with a few more knees to the body, and this one will go to the judges.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Dariush)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Dariush (30-27 Dariush)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dariush (30-27 Dariush)

The Official Result
Beneil Dariush def. Rashid Magomedov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Gilbert Burns vs. Rashid Magomedov

Round 1
Burns closes the distance with a body kick but leaves his hands down and gets swept out of the pocket by a Magomedov left hand. “Durinho” lunges inside again with a punch, wraps up Magomedov and easily trips him to the mat near the base of the fence. Magomedov takes a knee and puts his back against the fence, trying to block Burns, who’s looking to sneak around and take the back. Burns rips him off the cage and back to the ground, but again Magomedov is able to stand and put his back on the fence. Midway through the round now, the lightweights separate and return to the middle to strike. Magomedov puts a kick on Burns’ body, then another. Burns answers with a leg kick as he tries to close in on Magomedov near the fence. Magomedov sends a right hand over the top and lands a hard leg kick to back Burns out of range. Burns is whiffing repeatedly with big overhand rights, allowing Magomedov to pivot underneath and counter without fear. Magomedov scores with another combo at the end of the round, with a body kick to finish it off.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Magomedov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Magomedov
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Magomedov

Round 2
PICTURE R
(+ Enlarge) | Photo: G. Venga/Sherdog.com Magomedov dominated Burns.
/PICTURE R
Magomedov checks a punch and puts a kick in Burns’ breadbasket, then counters over top of the jiu-jitsu ace’s next combination. The Russian is controlling the center, walking Burns around the outside and flashing snappy kicks. Burns ducks low and drives into a single-leg, but he’s only able to wrap up Magomedov and push him against the fence. Burns tries pulling guard and winds up eating a hard left hand from Magomedov before the “Highlander” backs away. Burns stands and is greeted by a right hook on the temple which unsteadies his legs. Magomedov smells blood but takes his time closing in on Burns, eventually dropping him to his seat with another right hand. Referee Keith Peterson is taking a close look as Magomedov pounds on the grounded Burns, but the stoppage doesn’t materialize. Magomedov allows Burns to stand and comes over the top with another right hand that backs up the Brazilian to the fence. One minute left in the middle round, Magomedov has a right high kick deflected. Burns has cleared the cobwebs but looks to be just surviving this round as Magomedov walks him down with low kicks and more punches.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Magomedov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Magomedov
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Magomedov

Round 3
Burns gets hold of a single-leg but releases as he’s clubbed with a big right hand from the backpedalling Magomedov. Magomedov lands a couple shots on the ground before backing off, wanting no part of Burns’ guard. Kicks to the chest and legs keep Burns out of the pocket as Magomedov continues to have his way striking from range. Halfway through the period, Burns changes levels and then comes back up to dig an underhook and push Magomedov to the fence. Magomedov reverses and takes the outside position; Burns draws a deep breath and looks up to the clock. The lightweights break and get back to striking with the last 90 seconds ticking down. Magomedov keeps Burns backing up with body kicks and long punches, at one point getting the Brazilian to bite and cover up on a feint. Burns pulls the Thai clinch in the last 20 seconds and puts a hard knee on Magomedov’s jaw, but it looks like too little, too late, as this one will go to the judges’ scorecards.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-10 (30-28 Magomedov)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
Jeff Sherwood scores the round 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)

The Official Result
Rashid Magomedov def. Gilbert Burns via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00