UFC Moscow: Zabit Magomedsharipov outpoints Calvin Kattar in headliner

One of the more intriguing bouts of 2019 went down on Saturday in Moscow, Russia as Zabit Magomedsharipov and Calvin Kattar met in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 21. The event took place at CSKA Arena.

Magomedsharipov has won 13 consecutive bouts, which includes all five of his appearances in the UFC Octagon. In his most recent showing, the 28-year-old Russian standout defeated long-time veteran Jeremy Stephens at UFC 235 via unanimous decision.

Kattar was originally scheduled to be the home team in this fight as the featherweight matchup was set to be the co-main event for last month’s UFC Boston card. After his opponent suffered an infection, “The Boston Finisher” jumped all over the chance to be the away team in the new UFC Moscow headliner. In his most previous appearance, Kattar improved to 4-1 in the UFC with a vicious first round KO of Ricardo Lamas at UFC 238 in June.

Due to the bout originally being contracted as a three-round fight, it would remain that way despite being the main event of Saturday’s card.

Here is how the UFC Moscow main event went down between Zabit Magomedsharipov and Calvin Kattar, including round-by-round scoring. For full event results, check them out right here.

ROUND 1

The main event is underway. Zabit looks to be the aggressor early throwing double jabs and inside leg kicks. Kattar staying very relaxed and lands a nice right hand right down the pipe. Leg kick from Magomedsharipov, and another. Nice jab from Zabit lands and Kattar answers with a leg kick. Combination just misses by Kattar and Zabit lands a hard leg kick. Zabit with a nice combination set up by a double jab. Kattar showing good defense with head movement as Zabit throws a combination. Leg kick from Zabit lands and Kattar charges in with a big right hand. Kattar just misses a huge uppercut and Zabit continues to bring volume, including a nice front kick to the body. Hard leg kick from Kattar. Leg kick lands clean by Zabit the drops Kattar momentarily as. the Boston native was throwing a jab. Zabit throws a high side kick but comes up short. Kattar with a body kick of his own as the final minute approaches. Zabit with a nice elbow and body shot combination. Kattar answers with a combination of his own. Kattar pressing forward and lands a clean overhead right. Both men trade punches and Kattar lands a pair of vicious uppercuts, Zabit with a spinning back elbow. They trade as the round ends. Fun opening round.

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 Magomedsharipov

ROUND 2

Zabit lands a leg kick right away. Kattar checks a leg kick as Zabit staying very busy. Spinning back kick to the body by Zabit who continues to stand in front of the dangerous Kattar. Right hand lands by Kattar. Zabit just misses a spinning back fist and has a side kick to the body blocked. Kattar staying patient looking for an opening and lands a jab. Body shot from Kattar. Zabit answers with a body shot and shoots in for a single. Kattar defends the takedown easily. Halfway through this main event and Kattar lands another hard jab. Beautiful sweeping trip from Zabit and Kattar gets right back to his feet. Final 90 seconds of the round and Kattar may have to open things up a bit. A nice right hand from Kattar lands, followed by a shirt uppercut. Another right hand and a jab from Kattar, Zabit answers with a left hook. Nice combination from Kattar who is starting to find success. Left by Kattar, answered by Zabit. Kattar lands a nice left hand as Zabit throws a wheel kick that comes up short. Definitely a closer round.

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 Magomedsharipov

ROUND 3

Both guys exchange hard jabs and Kattar eats a low blow. Kattar wants to keep going as he feels momentum is on his side. Action continues and Kattar eats a hard body shot from Zabit. Hard leg kick by Kattar, followed by a second one. Zabit continues to switch stances and Kattar is moving forward aggressively, just missing a huge right hand. Both guys trade in the pocket. Zabit fakes a spinning elbow and lands a nice left hand. Kattar denies a Zabit takedown attempt. Kattar with a hard jab and a combination. Body shot lands from Kattar, right hand to the head lands behind it. Kattar wish a nice combination and Zabit is going backwards. Kattar is headhunting now, landing a hard combination. Kattar is all landing big shots on Zabit with 90 seconds to go. Kattar with a hard uppercut and another. Hard jab by Kattar and a shot to the body. All Kattar in the final round with under a minute to go. Kattar looked for a big shot and Zabit ducks under for a big takedown. Kattar is throwing everything he can off his back while Zabit is in his guard. They are trading punches on the ground as the round ends. Would’ve been very interested to see how this would’ve played out had it been a five round main event.

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 Kattar and the fight 29-28 for Magomedsharipov

Official result: Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Mike Heck

Mike Heck is the a freelance MMA journalist covering the sport for a number of websites. Specializing in video interviews, Mike interviews everybody from prospects, to title contenders, to world champions, along with other influential personalities in the sport of MMA. Subscribe to his channel at https://youtube.com/mikeheckmma.

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