Sevak Magakian falls to Jason Fischer in Bellator MMA debut

MMA: Glendale fighter looks good early, but gets caught in first-round choke.

January 31, 2013|By Grant Gordon, grant.gordon@latimes.com

In his hopes of rising in the world of mixed martial arts, Glendale’s Sevak Magakian said he was taking a chance to further his career when he took a fight with Bellator MMA on roughly two weeks notice.

Magakian also looked to take a risk in his lightweight fight Thursday night against Jason Fischer when he went for a judo arm drag. Fischer sat down on the attempt and was able to take Magakian’s back, which eventually led to a fight-ending rear-naked choke for Fischer, who defeated Magakian via tapout at the 3:37 mark of the first round in their Bellator 87 bout, which was streamed live on Spike.com from the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

It was the first loss for Magakian (12-4-1) since November of 2009, snapping a six-fight unbeaten streak for the grappler, who was once a contestant on “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Fischer (6-1), who was fighting for the fourth time under the Bellator banner and in front of his home state crowd, notched his sixth finish and fourth by submission. It was only the second time Magakian has been submitted in his career, the other also coming via a rear-naked choke in just his second career fight in September of 2006.

Magakian, who was cornered by Glendale’s Karen Darabedyan and Alex Ariza, looked content to stand with Fischer in the early going. However, a straight right that Magakian ducked under gave him too good an opportunity to pass up.

Magakian slickly changed levels and secured a double-leg takedown to take the fight to the ground in the early going. Fischer’s active guard produced a triangle-choke and Kimura attempt, while Magakian landed a few left hands to the body.

As Fischer moved forward to try to stand, Magakian went for a guillotine choke, but nothing came of it and Fischer was able to scramble to his feet.

During the scramble, Magakian went for one of his patented judo throws over his right shoulder, but Fischer defended it well and took Magakian’s back on the canvas. Fischer quickly worked his hooks in and sank in the choke, which drew a tap from Magakian.

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