Quick Fight Championship PBP Commentary

Main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Saadulaev (ranked 3378 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arthur Aslanyan (ranked 3904 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Saadulaev
vs
Aslanyan

183 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shamil Saadulaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Arthur Aslanyan!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, David Hoff and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saadulaev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Saadulaev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Aslanyan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Saadulaev has managed to get both his arms back between Aslanyan's legs - danger averted.
Saadulaev content to stall in guard here.
Saadulaev forces his way into half guard.
Aslanyan tries to get to full guard but Saadulaev has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saadulaev controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saadulaev is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Aslanyan reverses the position - he's now on top in Saadulaev's guard.
Saadulaev wants to sweep here but Aslanyan controlling him for the moment.
Saadulaev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Saadulaev tries to get out of the position.
Saadulaev has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Aslanyan trying to control the position from guard on top but Saadulaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Saadulaev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Aslanyan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Aslanyan preventing the sweep.
Saadulaev is looking to stand up but Aslanyan isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Saadulaev striking off his back but it's not causing Aslanyan any problems.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Saadulaev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aslanyan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saadulaev somewhat.
Saadulaev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A quick step to the side and Saadulaev tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Aslanyan tries for a takedown but Saadulaev manages to get underhooks.
Saadulaev takes a shot to the head.
Saadulaev is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Aslanyan misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Aslanyan breaks from the clinch.
Saadulaev shoots in but no luck this time.

Saadulaev feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Aslanyan is wriggling around but Saadulaev manages to pass to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Aslanyan is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Arthur Aslanyan will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Saadulaev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Saadulaev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aslanyan as he jumps to the side.
Aslanyan doesn't manage to clinch there - Saadulaev circles away.
Saadulaev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aslanyan.
Aslanyan feints the counter takedown.
Saadulaev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Aslanyan defends well and Saadulaev ends up having to push Aslanyan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Aslanyan feints the counter takedown.
Aslanyan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Saadulaev shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Saadulaev was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Aslanyan tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Saadulaev easily slips into full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aslanyan wants to hold on but Saadulaev pushes him away.
Saadulaev wants to control the pace but Aslanyan is squirming around nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aslanyan wants to hold on but Saadulaev pushes him away.
Saadulaev tries to control but Aslanyan wriggling away.
Saadulaev lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Saadulaev controlling the pace for now.
Aslanyan is looking to get to half guard.
Aslanyan wants to control but Saadulaev is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aslanyan slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Saadulaev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Aslanyan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Saadulaev is keen to just control but Aslanyan is a slippery customer.
Saadulaev wants to pass the guard but Aslanyan is defending well.
Aslanyan wants to sweep but Saadulaev has passed to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saadulaev looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Aslanyan is trying to get back to half guard.
Saadulaev tries to stand but Aslanyan is controlling his head.

Saadulaev swings around for an armbar but Aslanyan sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Saadulaev's guard.
Saadulaev controlling the position.
Shamil Saadulaev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev wants to stand but Aslanyan is controlling the position.
Saadulaev controlling Aslanyan's posture.
Saadulaev looking to control.
Aslanyan being controlled here momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shamil Saadulaev dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Aslanyan fails with the takedown
and Saadulaev counters with a one-two to the body.
Saadulaev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Aslanyan is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Saadulaev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Saadulaev wants it to stay on the feet.
Aslanyan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saadulaev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saadulaev fails to land the takedown.
Saadulaev ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Saadulaev drives through and clinches with Aslanyan against the cage.

Saadulaev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saadulaev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Aslanyan as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shamil Saadulaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saadulaev throws a combination that misses

and Aslanyan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Saadulaev's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aslanyan slips nicely into half guard.
Aslanyan lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Aslanyan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saadulaev keeps working.
Saadulaev missing with punches from the bottom.
Saadulaev is refusing to be controlled, as Aslanyan sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev gets back to full guard.
Aslanyan postures up.
Aslanyan wants to pass the guard but Saadulaev is keeping the position.
Saadulaev pulls Aslanyan in close to prevent any damage.
Saadulaev throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Saadulaev tries to work over Aslanyan's front leg with a kick but Aslanyan checks it.

Aslanyan closes the distance and clinches.

Aslanyan jumps guard.
Aslanyan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Aslanyan being controlled here, momentarily.
Aslanyan pulls Saadulaev in to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev trying to control but Aslanyan is working from the bottom.
Aslanyan wants to stand up but Saadulaev is controlling him.
Aslanyan keeping moving, preventing Saadulaev from controlling successfully.
Saadulaev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Saadulaev postures up in Aslanyan's guard and throws a big left but Aslanyan blocks it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saadulaev keeps the fight on the outside.

Saadulaev closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Aslanyan quickly recovers to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Arthur Aslanyan.
I think Aslanyan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Arthur Aslanyan!