Magomedov beats Gabriel in ONE Championship to stay perfect

Magomed Magomedov maintained his perfect fight record in his ONE Championship debut, earning a split-decision victory over Lucas Gabriel in their lightweight MMA matchup on ONE Fight Night 49.Magomedov entered the main event at Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium on Friday night with an unblemished 15-0 record, stepping in with just two weeks' notice after former world title challenger Alibeg Rasulov withdrew due to injury. Gabriel, meanwhile, came in boasting an 11-1 record and an unbeaten run in ONE Championship, coming off a huge three-round victory over former ONE lightweight MMA world champion Ok Rae Yoon. See the latest MMA news, highlights and video at Sky SportsGet Sky Sports or stream boxing and more with no contractBut once the opening bell rang, Magomedov wasted little time pursuing a takedown and used his trademark wrestling pedigree to bring Gabriel to the mat and smothered him from inside the guard, mixing ground-and-pound with various submission attempts.Round two followed the same script, as Magomedov chased another early takedown. The Brazilian did a better job defending himself in the scrambles and staying out of danger, but the Dagestani's grappling attack seemed to wear him down and zap away at his confidence. The 26-year-old didn't give up, eventually finding his way back to the feet and cracking the ONE Championship newcomer with a head kick. Magomedov, already with his head lowered, tried to land another takedown, but this time, he failed to do so. The tide had seemingly shifted. It was in the third round that Gabriel came alive. Magomedov took him down yet again, but the Brazilian turned the tables in the scramble, throwing elbows to the temple before securing a headlock on the ground and ramming knees into the Dagestani's head.Things looked bleak for the tired Magomedov, but Gabriel's failed rear-naked choke and armbar attempts allowed the undefeated debutant to use his prized grappling to keep him out of further danger.When the final bell rang, the ringside judges had a difficult call to make. Ultimately, two of them sided with Magomedov, who defied all odds to earn the biggest win of his career and enter the ONE lightweight MMA world title conversation.Magomedov had every reason to turn this fight down. Now, he may have earned the right to challenge the division's new champion, Tye Ruotolo, for the belt.