PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gamzat Gamzatov (ranked 1875 p4p, 1021 weight class) and Trond Asmundsen (ranked 229 p4p, 131 weight class). Gamzatov comes to the cage accompanied by Entrance Song. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gamzatov
vs
Asmundsen

188 cm
28
203
12 - 10 - 0

188 cm
26
190
11 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Core Combat

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gamzat Gamzatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Trond Asmundsen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asmundsen wants to slow Gamzatov down by chopping away at his legs.
Gamzatov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Asmundsen throws a body shot but no joy.
Gamzatov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Asmundsen sprawls and moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gamzatov is defended easily by Asmundsen.
Asmundsen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Donk. Asmundsen catches Gamzatov right on the button with a cross.
Asmundsen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gamzatov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gamzatov tries to counter with a takedown but Asmundsen is quick to defend against it.
Gamzatov avoids the body shot from Asmundsen.
Gamzatov tries to counter with a takedown but Asmundsen is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asmundsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gamzatov moves away.
Gamzatov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Asmundsen misses the shot to the body.
Asmundsen throws a combination. Gamzatov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Asmundsen throws a jab when Gamzatov was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamzatov tries to close the distance and clinch but Asmundsen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gamzatov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Asmundsen.
Gamzatov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Trond Asmundsen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Asmundsen jabs at Gamzatov's body.
Gamzatov ducks under a wild hook from Asmundsen.
Gamzatov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Asmundsen sprawls and moves away.
Gamzatov slips a straight right by Asmundsen.
Gamzatov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Trond Asmundsen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Asmundsen misses with a hook

and Gamzatov counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Gamzatov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Asmundsen looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Asmundsen looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Asmundsen!

Asmundsen trying to control the action but Gamzatov is working from the bottom.
Gamzatov can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Asmundsen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Asmundsen passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Gamzatov!
Asmundsen unloading with bombs!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
BOOM! Asmundsen connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Asmundsen looking to control but Gamzatov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Asmundsen can't control as he wanted to and Gamzatov manages to get the fight back to his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asmundsen lands with a punch from half guard.
Gamzatov desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Asmundsen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Asmundsen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gamzatov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Asmundsen is trying to control the action in half guard but Gamzatov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Asmundsen is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Asmundsen trying to control the pace.
Gamzatov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Gamzatov is looking for a sweep. Asmundsen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Asmundsen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Asmundsen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gamzatov keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trond Asmundsen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gamzatov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Asmundsen swivels and escapes.
Gamzatov slips a straight right by Asmundsen.
Gamzatov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Asmundsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gamzatov manages to avoid it.
Gamzatov feinted with a counter takedown.
Asmundsen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Asmundsen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Asmundsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gamzatov moves away.
Asmundsen jabs Gamzatov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Asmundsen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gamzatov.
Gamzatov attempts a counter takedown but Asmundsen avoids it well and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asmundsen throws a series of punches but Gamzatov avoids them all with ease.
Gamzatov feinted with a counter takedown.
Asmundsen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gamzatov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gamzatov or perhaps it was just good defense by Asmundsen, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamzatov slips a jab from Asmundsen.
Gamzatov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gamzat Gamzatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asmundsen throws a nice head kick!
Gamzatov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A big right from Asmundsen misses.
Gamzatov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Asmundsen misses the shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Asmundsen misses the target.
Gamzatov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Gamzatov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fighters circling - Asmundsen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gamzatov feinted with a counter takedown.
Gamzat Gamzatov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov fails with a takedown attempt.
Good standup being displayed there by Asmundsen as he connects with a hook.
Asmundsen missing with a left hand there. Gamzatov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Gamzatov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Asmundsen is trying to control Gamzatov's posture but Gamzatov avoids it.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Asmundsen is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asmundsen can't do much from the bottom here.
Gamzatov lands a nice forearm strike.
Asmundsen is not content to let Gamzatov control the position.
Asmundsen tries to improve position but can't.
Asmundsen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Asmundsen felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Gamzatov working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gamzatov trying to control the action but Asmundsen is working from the bottom.
Asmundsen tries to bench press Gamzatov off him but Gamzatov keeps the position.
Gamzatov scores with punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov trying to control the position but Asmundsen is working away.
Asmundsen gets back to half guard.
Gamzatov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Asmundsen defending well though.
Gamzatov looks to land a strike but Asmundsen avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Gamzatov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Asmundsen is keeping the position for now.
Gamzatov is working hard here to advance position.
Asmundsen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Asmundsen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gamzatov is aware though and is defending well.
Gamzatov slips nicely into half guard.

Gamzatov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Asmundsen manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trond Asmundsen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Gamzatov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Gamzatov slips under a jab.
Asmundsen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Asmundsen. Gamzatov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gamzatov shoots in looking for a takedown but Asmundsen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gamzatov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Asmundsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Asmundsen punishes Gamzatov's body with a nice straight punch.
Asmundsen tries to land a front kick but Gamzatov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Asmundsen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gamzatov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Asmundsen sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asmundsen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gamzatov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Asmundsen.
An inside leg kick from Asmundsen misses.
Asmundsen throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamzatov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gamzatov tries to counter with a takedown but Asmundsen is quick to defend against it.
Asmundsen loads up on a big right hand but Gamzatov slips the punch.
Asmundsen throws a hook to the side of Gamzatov's head but Gamzatov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Asmundsen misses with a wild body shot.
Gamzatov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Gamzatov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Asmundsen.
Gamzatov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Asmundsen sprawls and moves away.
Gamzatov fails with the takedown.
Asmundsen lands with a nice body punch.
Gamzatov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gamzatov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Asmundsen sprawls and moves away.
Asmundsen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asmundsen throws a body shot but no joy.
Trond Asmundsen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Asmundsen swings widly with a right hand

and Gamzatov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Gamzatov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Asmundsen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gamzatov trying to control but Asmundsen is working from the bottom.
Asmundsen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gamzatov tries to free his leg and advance position but Asmundsen is retaining full guard.
Asmundsen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asmundsen trying to control but Gamzatov is working from the bottom.
Asmundsen slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asmundsen is keen to just control but Gamzatov is a slippery customer.

Asmundsen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gamzatov defends it well.
Gamzatov is refusing to be controlled, as Asmundsen sits in half guard.

Asmundsen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gamzatov has managed to free his arm - good work.

Asmundsen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gamzatov trying to control but Asmundsen postures up.
Gamzat Gamzatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Trond Asmundsen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Asmundsen is looking for a kimura here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gamzatov tries to roll over but Asmundsen keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Trond Asmundsen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Asmundsen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Trond Asmundsen!