QFC Tournament 848 Round 3 PBP Commentary

Co-main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Konstantin Balaev (ranked 5459 p4p, 0 weight class) and Test Steve Jr (ranked 5520 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Balaev
vs
Steve Jr

172 cm
24
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
24
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Prefers standup

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Konstantin Balaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Test Steve Jr!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jorge Garcia and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balaev missing with a left hand there. Steve Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Balaev needs to keep his hands up - Steve Jr had a free shot at his head there.

It looks like Konstantin Balaev has been cut.
A jab from Balaev misses.
Steve Jr misses with a looping right.
Steve Jr throws a jab but it's blocked by Balaev.
Balaev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Steve Jr lands a jab to the head.
Steve Jr defending well as Balaev loads up on a big left hand.
Balaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Steve Jr.
Balaev misses with a lunging right hand
and Steve Jr counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Steve Jr displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Balaev throws out the jab.
Steve Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Balaev thuds his right hand into Steve Jr's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Steve Jr throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Balaev on the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balaev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Steve Jr.
Balaev is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Balaev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Balaev throws a lazy right hand but Steve Jr sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Steve Jr tests Balaev's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steve Jr throws a good cross that connects.
Steve Jr jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Balaev looks to land a left hand but Steve Jr moved out of range nicely.
Balaev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Steve Jr clinches up against the cage.
Balaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steve Jr prevents Balaev from breaking the clinch.
Steve Jr lands a shoulder strike.
Steve Jr being controlled against the cage.
Steve Jr lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Steve Jr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Balaev can't find room to land a body shot as Steve Jr controls the action.
Steve Jr misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steve Jr lands with a short shot to the head.
Steve Jr lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balaev slows down the pace here.
Balaev is pushing Steve Jr up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Balaev seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Steve Jr lands a nice uppercut.
Steve Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Steve Jr pushes Balaev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Steve Jr on the inside.
Steve Jr blocks a body shot from Balaev.
Steve Jr swings wildly with an uppercut but Balaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steve Jr scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steve Jr misses with the head strike.
Steve Jr lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Balaev.
Steve Jr tries to throw a body punch but Balaev avoids it by throwing Steve Jr back against the cage.
Balaev struggles to land a body shot inside as Steve Jr controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steve Jr.
A head punch on the inside from Steve Jr fails to land.
A bit of stalling here from Balaev.
Balaev is trying to maintain a safe position but Steve Jr gets an underhook and turns Balaev into the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Steve Jr.
Steve Jr goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short left from Steve Jr.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Balaev.
Steve Jr lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Balaev misses with the head strike.
Balaev blocks an uppercut.
Steve Jr misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steve Jr doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Steve Jr throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steve Jr.
A head punch on the inside from Steve Jr fails to land.
Steve Jr misses with the head strike.
Balaev lands with a short shot to the head.
Balaev blocks an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steve Jr working aggressively here.
Balaev just leaning against Steve Jr, taking a breather.
Balaev throws an elbow that misses.
Steve Jr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A bit of stalling here from Balaev.
Steve Jr swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Steve Jr works on Balaev's body with a couple of short punches.
Balaev lands a shoulder strike.
Balaev misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Test Steve Jr dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Konstantin Balaev's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Balaev sizes up Steve Jr with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Balaev tries to clinch but Steve Jr moves out of range.
Balaev lands a slapping body shot.
Nice body punch from Balaev.
Balaev scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Steve Jr lands a right hook to the body.
Steve Jr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Steve Jr missing with a left hand there. Balaev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Balaev tests Steve Jr's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Steve Jr with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Steve Jr scores with the left hand. Balaev knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steve Jr tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Balaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Steve Jr.
Steve Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balaev moves away.
Steve Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Balaev paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balaev misses with a body shot.
Steve Jr misses with a looping left.
Steve Jr scores with a body shot.
Balaev scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Balaev missing with a left hand there. Steve Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Balaev throws a big shot that misses.
Balaev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steve Jr sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Steve Jr throws a big shot that misses.
Balaev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Steve Jr keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Balaev.
Steve Jr looks to land a right hand but Balaev moved out of range.

Steve Jr closes the distance and clinches.
Balaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Steve Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Steve Jr blocking some punches.
Balaev leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steve Jr gets through Balaev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Steve Jr fails to land.
Test Steve Jr seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Steve Jr misses with the head strike.
Steve Jr has a couple of punches blocked by Balaev.
Balaev working hard to break the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Steve Jr.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steve Jr avoids a wild elbow strike from Balaev.
Balaev is trying to stall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Steve Jr as Balaev tries to tie him up.
Maybe Balaev would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Balaev blocks a body shot from Steve Jr.
Steve Jr letting Balaev take a breather here.
Steve Jr blocks a body shot from Balaev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steve Jr misses with the head strike.
Steve Jr doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Balaev.
Balaev working aggressively here.
Steve Jr lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Balaev blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Steve Jr fails to land.
Balaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steve Jr's elbow.
Balaev misses with a punch to the body.
Steve Jr lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Steve Jr working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Balaev effectively controlling the action here.
Steve Jr misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steve Jr misses with a punch to the body.
Balaev misses with a punch on the inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Balaev.
Steve Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Steve Jr on the inside.
Balaev scores with a shot to the side of Steve Jr's head.
A short body shot lands from Steve Jr as the two fighters clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balaev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Steve Jr backwards.
Balaev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Steve Jr backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Balaev fails to land.
Balaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Steve Jr prevents a body shot from Balaev.
Balaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Balaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Konstantin Balaev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Konstantin Balaev's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Steve Jr with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Balaev gets tackled into the cage by Steve Jr. Steve Jr maintains the clinch.
Balaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Balaev throws a head punch that misses.
Balaev slowing the pace effectively.
Steve Jr stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Balaev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Balaev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Steve Jr working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Steve Jr.
Steve Jr struggles to land a body shot inside as Balaev controls his hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balaev manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Steve Jr pushes Balaev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Balaev prevents a body shot from Steve Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steve Jr makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Steve Jr struggles to land a body shot inside as Balaev controls his hands.
Steve Jr misses with a body punch.
Balaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steve Jr's elbow.
Steve Jr lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Balaev or not.
Balaev blocking some punches.
Steve Jr misses with a short punch on the inside.
Steve Jr swings wildly with an uppercut but Balaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
A left hand lands to the body for Balaev.
Steve Jr pushes Balaev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Steve Jr working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Balaev misses with the head strike.
Balaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Steve Jr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Steve Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steve Jr lands a hook to the side of the head.
Steve Jr lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Balaev or not.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Steve Jr as Balaev tries to tie him up.
Balaev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steve Jr stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Balaev working aggressively here.
Balaev controlling the action here for a moment.
Steve Jr lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Balaev backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steve Jr scores with a shot to the side of Balaev's head.
Steve Jr tries to work over Balaev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Steve Jr misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steve Jr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Steve Jr working aggressively here.
Steve Jr fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Steve Jr lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The referee calls for Balaev to work.
Steve Jr blocks a body shot from Balaev.
Steve Jr misses with a punch on the inside.
Test Steve Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Balaev looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Balaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Balaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steve Jr's elbow.
Balaev lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Steve Jr backwards.
A short right from Balaev on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balaev stalling against the cage.
Balaev is working Steve Jr over against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Steve Jr.
Balaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
A bit of stalling here from Balaev.
Balaev stalling in the clinch.
Balaev pressing his opponent against the cage.
Konstantin Balaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steve Jr lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Test Steve Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Steve Jr has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight for Test Steve Jr!
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight for Test Steve Jr!
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight for Test Steve Jr!

Test Steve Jr wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Test Steve Jr thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
56%

Main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Murat Gagiev (ranked 5469 p4p, 0 weight class) and Soslan Aldarov (ranked 5364 p4p, 0 weight class). Soslan Aldarov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Gagiev
vs
Aldarov

170 cm
24
166 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
166 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Murat Gagiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Soslan Aldarov!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Reed Andrews and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gagiev lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gagiev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Soslan Aldarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aldarov misses with a takedown attempt
and Gagiev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Aldarov misses with a jab to the body
and Gagiev counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Aldarov swings widly with a right hand
and Gagiev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Aldarov misses with a takedown attempt
and Gagiev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aldarov misses with a takedown attempt
letting Gagiev counter with a right hand.
Murat Gagiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Soslan Aldarov.
Aldarov tries for a takedown but Gagiev circles away easily
and Gagiev counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gagiev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Aldarov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gagiev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aldarov walks into a jab.
Aldarov misses with a takedown attempt
and Gagiev counters with a nice uppercut.
Aldarov fails with the takedown
and Gagiev counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldarov misses with an uppercut
letting Gagiev counter with a right hand.
Aldarov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gagiev lands with a nice body punch.
Aldarov misses with a takedown attempt
and Gagiev counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Aldarov swings widly with a right hand
and Gagiev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aldarov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gagiev counters with a stiff right hand.
Aldarov looks winded!
Aldarov misses with an uppercut
and Gagiev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Gagiev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Gagiev closes the distance and clinches.
Gagiev lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Aldarov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gagiev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aldarov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagiev digs a right hand into Aldarov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Aldarov's gas tank.
Gagiev effectively controlling the action here.
Gagiev manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A nice left hand lands by Gagiev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagiev displaying some good clinch control by pressing Aldarov up against the cage.
Gagiev stops a takedown attempt from Aldarov.
Aldarov letting Gagiev take a breather here.
Gagiev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gagiev lands a body shot.
Gagiev prevents a takedown attempt there.
A bit of stalling here from Gagiev.
Aldarov wants a takedown but no success here.
Aldarov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gagiev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gagiev stops a takedown attempt from Aldarov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murat Gagiev dominated that round.
That's time! Gagiev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gagiev scores with a jab to the head.
Aldarov dives in for a single leg takedown but Gagiev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A cross from Gagiev lands.
Aldarov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gagiev lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Aldarov backs up against the cage.
Aldarov ducks right into an uppercut from Gagiev.
Aldarov throws a poor cross that misses
and Gagiev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aldarov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Gagiev counter with a right hand.
Aldarov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gagiev finds it's way round the side to connect with Aldarov's head.
Murat Gagiev is winning the standup battle so far.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Aldarov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gagiev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Murat Gagiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Soslan Aldarov.
Aldarov tries for a takedown but Gagiev circles away easily
and Gagiev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Gagiev scores with a nice head shot.
Aldarov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gagiev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Gagiev lands an impressive looking overhand right. Aldarov doesn't seem phased though.
Aldarov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gagiev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aldarov ducks right into an uppercut from Gagiev.
Gagiev scores with a decent looking hook.

Aldarov is rocked!
Aldarov shoots and misses
and Gagiev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aldarov is still on wobbly legs! Can Gagiev finish him?
Gagiev lands with a hook. Aldarov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Aldarov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gagiev.
Gagiev jabs Aldarov right on the nose. Aldarov blinks but takes it well.
Aldarov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Aldarov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gagiev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aldarov is breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gagiev scores with a shot to the body.
Aldarov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Aldarov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldarov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Aldarov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The fighters circling - Aldarov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Aldarov misses with a takedown
and Gagiev counters with a right hand to the body.
Aldarov tries for a takedown but Gagiev circles away easily
and Gagiev counters with a stiff right hand.
Gagiev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aldarov can do to turn this around?
Gagiev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Aldarov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Aldarov seems to have recovered his senses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gagiev, as that shot connected.
Aldarov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gagiev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Aldarov thinking.
Gagiev lands a slapping body shot.
Gagiev scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagiev lands a nice looking body shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Gagiev as he connects with a hook.
Aldarov throws an off balance right hand
and Gagiev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aldarov misses with a hook
and Gagiev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gagiev lands a nice hook to Aldarov's body. Aldarov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Aldarov throws a poor cross that misses
and Gagiev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gagiev jabs at Aldarov's body.
Aldarov tries for a takedown but Gagiev circles away easily
and Gagiev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gagiev lands a nice shot to the body.
Gagiev dips to his left and cracks Aldarov with an uppercut!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gagiev throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gagiev scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gagiev stuns Aldarov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagiev comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Aldarov fails with the takedown
and Gagiev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Aldarov thinking.
Gagiev cracks Aldarov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Aldarov takes one on the button.
Murat Gagiev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gagiev stalks Aldarov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Aldarov's face. Aldarov staggers backwards, shaken.
Aldarov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gagiev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aldarov misses with a takedown
and Gagiev counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aldarov needs to keep his hands up - Gagiev had a free shot at his head there.
Gagiev connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Aldarov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gagiev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murat Gagiev dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Danga de danga de dang - Gagiev scores with a four punch combination!
Aldarov fails with the takedown
and Gagiev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Aldarov shoots and misses
and Gagiev counters with a stiff right hand.
Gagiev digs a good body shot into Aldarov's ribs.
Aldarov misses with a lunging right hand
and Gagiev counters with a straight right hand.
Aldarov tries for a takedown but Gagiev circles away easily
enabling Gagiev to counter with a crisp jab.
Murat Gagiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Soslan Aldarov.
Aldarov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Aldarov fails with the takedown
and Gagiev counters with a right hand to the body.
Aldarov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aldarov takes one to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd cheers as Gagiev lands an impressive looking overhand right. Aldarov doesn't seem phased though.
Gagiev throws a perfectly timed hook that sends Aldarov crashing down! Aldarov tries to stagger back to his feet but Gagiev just hammers him until the ref stops the fight! A confused Aldarov asks the ref what just happened. Poor fella.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Murat Gagiev!