Magomedov guillotines Rowston in 104 seconds to extend UFC middleweight streak

Abus Magomedov needed less than two minutes to finish Cameron Rowston at UFC 333, locking in a guillotine choke that forced a stoppage at 1:44 of Round 1 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Referee Saman Amidi waved it off the moment Rowston went limp.

The finish was a direct consequence of Rowston’s own aggression. After an early exchange on the feet, Rowston attempted to shift the momentum by shooting for a single leg — but Magomedov was ready, immediately wrapping his arm around Rowston’s neck and cinching the choke before his opponent had any chance to react or escape.

It was the second consecutive guillotine submission victory for Magomedov, a sequence that has clearly become his calling card. Speaking in his post-fight interview, the middleweight veteran showed no desire to downplay the pattern.

“Guillotine is my trump card,” Magomedov said. “If something doesn’t work, guillotine works always.”

The win moves Magomedov to 30-7-1 overall and five victories from his last six fights. In a nod to Nate Diaz — whose trademark post-fight flex he replicated in the octagon — Magomedov made clear he is enjoying the moment, but he is already looking ahead.

With the microphone in hand, Magomedov called out Gregory Rodrigues as his preferred next opponent, signalling his ambition to keep climbing the middleweight rankings after consecutive dominant finishes.