PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gonzalo Andrade (ranked 4098 p4p, 5308 weight class) and Batyrkhan Bekbolatov (ranked 476 p4p, 546 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Gonzalo Andrade has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Gonzalo Andrade seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Andrade
vs
Bekbolatov

200 cm
22
215
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
215
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gonzalo Andrade!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Batyrkhan Bekbolatov!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bekbolatov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Andrade tries to avoid it but Bekbolatov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Andrade to the ground. Andrade escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Andrade tries to close the distance and clinch but Bekbolatov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Andrade keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Andrade appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bekbolatov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Andrade is fending him off so far but Bekbolatov persists. Nope, Andrade circles away and we're back to standing.
Gonzalo Andrade has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Batyrkhan Bekbolatov.
Bekbolatov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Andrade seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Horrible takedown attempt by Bekbolatov or perhaps it was just good defense by Andrade, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bekbolatov shoots in and drives through. Andrade sprawls well.
Andrade definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Bekbolatov shoots in and drives through. Andrade sprawls well.
Andrade went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Andrade slaps away a takedown attempt from Bekbolatov, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bekbolatov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Andrade swivels and escapes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Andrade looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bekbolatov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Andrade defends it nicely.
It looked like Andrade was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bekbolatov.
Andrade tries to clinch up.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bekbolatov! But no joy.
Bekbolatov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Andrade is looking for a counter combo.

That's two 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.
Bekbolatov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Andrade but Andrade pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Andrade throws a big counter combination but Bekbolatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bekbolatov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Andrade as he jumps to the side.
A little feinted left hand from Andrade on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Andrade moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bekbolatov.
Andrade tries a body shot but Bekbolatov blocks it.
Andrade struggles to land a body shot inside as Bekbolatov controls his hands.
Andrade has a couple of punches blocked by Bekbolatov.
Andrade is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bekbolatov is defending well for now.
Andrade struggles to land a body shot inside as Bekbolatov controls his hands.
Andrade misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bekbolatov blocks an uppercut.
Andrade scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Batyrkhan Bekbolatov has been cut.
Bekbolatov is working Andrade over against the cage.
Andrade misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bekbolatov.
Bekbolatov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Andrade doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bekbolatov blocks a body shot from Andrade.
Bekbolatov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Andrade lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Bekbolatov.
Bekbolatov tries to break the clinch but Andrade is controlling the position.
Andrade keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bekbolatov's efforts to push away.
Bekbolatov wants to break free but Andrade has control.
Bekbolatov scores with a shot to the side of Andrade's head.
Bekbolatov working hard to break the clinch.
Andrade misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bekbolatov.
Andrade doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Bekbolatov.
Bekbolatov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Andrade tries to throw a body punch but Bekbolatov avoids it by throwing Andrade back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Andrade fails to land.
Bekbolatov has had enough of the clinch but Andrade keeps him there for the moment.
Bekbolatov lands a hook that snaps the head of Andrade backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bekbolatov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bekbolatov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bekbolatov digs a right hand into Andrade's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Andrade's gas tank.
Andrade is breathing heavily.
Andrade tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bekbolatov's elbow.
Andrade can't find room to land a body shot as Bekbolatov controls the action.
Bekbolatov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Andrade working aggressively here.
Bekbolatov wants to break the clinch but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bekbolatov scores with a shot to the side of Andrade's head.
Andrade with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bekbolatov lands a nice shot to the body.
Bekbolatov has had enough of the clinch but Andrade keeps him there for the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gonzalo Andrade dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Batyrkhan Bekbolatov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bekbolatov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Bekbolatov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Andrade gets caught napping as Bekbolatov dives in and scores a takedown. Andrade manages to retain guard.

Bekbolatov stands up from Andrade's guard - Bekbolatov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Bekbolatov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Andrade defends well and Bekbolatov ends up having to push Andrade into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Andrade as Bekbolatov shoots in.
Andrade tried to counter with a leg kick but Bekbolatov avoided it.

Andrade moves into the clinch successfully.
Andrade landing knees to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bekbolatov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A left hand lands to the body for Bekbolatov.
Bekbolatov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Bekbolatov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bekbolatov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Andrade but Andrade pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gonzalo Andrade has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Batyrkhan Bekbolatov.
Bekbolatov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Andrade as he avoids it easily.
Bekbolatov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Andrade defends it nicely.
Bekbolatov keeps the fight on the outside.

Andrade clinches with his opponent.
Bekbolatov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Andrade throws an elbow but misses.
Andrade tries to throw a body punch but Bekbolatov avoids it by throwing Andrade back against the cage.
Bekbolatov lands with a right to the head.
Bekbolatov lands with a left to the head.
Andrade misses with the head strike.
Bekbolatov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nice body punch from Bekbolatov - that landed with a thud.
Bekbolatov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Andrade.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bekbolatov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Andrade struggles to land a body shot inside as Bekbolatov controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Bekbolatov - that landed with a thud.
Bekbolatov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bekbolatov works on Andrade's body with a couple of short punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bekbolatov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Bekbolatov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bekbolatov misses with a takedown attempt - Andrade sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bekbolatov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Andrade circles away.
Bekbolatov shoots in for a takedown but Andrade shows good takedown defense.
A quick step to the side and Andrade tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Batyrkhan Bekbolatov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Andrade stuffs the takedown.
Bekbolatov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Andrade was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Bekbolatov shoots for a double leg takedown but Andrade sprawls well. He's pushed Bekbolatov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bekbolatov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Andrade is fending him off so far but Bekbolatov persists. Nope, Andrade circles away and we're back to standing.
Bekbolatov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Andrade sprawls well. Andrade wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bekbolatov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bekbolatov shoots in and drives through. Andrade sprawls well.
Andrade displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bekbolatov.
Andrade thinks about countering with a head kick.
Bekbolatov dives in and grabs Andrade's left leg, looking for a takedown. Andrade pushes down on Bekbolatov's head and hops out.
Bekbolatov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Andrade defends well and Bekbolatov ends up having to push Andrade into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bekbolatov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Andrade is fending him off so far but Bekbolatov persists. Nope, Andrade circles away and we're back to standing.
Gonzalo Andrade is winning the standup battle so far.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bekbolatov is defended easily by Andrade.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gonzalo Andrade will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Batyrkhan Bekbolatov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Andrade drives through and clinches with Bekbolatov against the cage.
Andrade tries a body shot but Bekbolatov blocks it.
Bekbolatov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Andrade misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Andrade missing with knees to the body.

Bekbolatov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Andrade tries to clinch up but Bekbolatov circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bekbolatov looks for a takedown but Andrade sprawls well.
Bekbolatov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Andrade is fending him off so far but Bekbolatov persists. Nope, Andrade circles away and we're back to standing.
It looked like Andrade was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bekbolatov fails with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Andrade was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bekbolatov.
Gonzalo Andrade has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Batyrkhan Bekbolatov.
Andrade is looking to clinch but Bekbolatov is avoiding it.
Bekbolatov throws out a counter right but Andrade avoids it with no problem.
Andrade fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bekbolatov fails with a takedown attempt.
Bekbolatov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Andrade counters with a crisp one two that drops Bekbolatov! Andrade thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Bekbolatov to his feet! Bekbolatov is in big trouble!
Bekbolatov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bekbolatov shoots in looking for a takedown. Andrade tries to sprawl out of it but Bekbolatov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Andrade manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Andrade quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bekbolatov shoots for a double leg takedown but Andrade sprawls well. He's pushed Bekbolatov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Andrade went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Andrade defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bekbolatov.
No luck for Bekbolatov with that takedown attempt.
Bekbolatov circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Andrade looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bekbolatov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Andrade tries to avoid it but Bekbolatov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Andrade to the ground. Andrade escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gonzalo Andrade is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bekbolatov closes the distance and clinches up with Andrade, looking for a takedown. Bekbolatov pushes Andrade against the cage but Andrade circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
It looked like Andrade was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bekbolatov.
Andrade leaves Bekbolatov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gonzalo Andrade is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bekbolatov fails with the takedown.
Andrade fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bekbolatov tries for a takedown but Andrade sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bekbolatov shoots in for a double leg but Andrade sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Andrade appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andrade tries to clinch but Bekbolatov moves out of range.
Bekbolatov throws out a counter right but Andrade avoids it with no problem.
No luck for Bekbolatov with that takedown attempt.
Andrade is looking to clinch.
Batyrkhan Bekbolatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andrade doesn't manage to clinch there - Bekbolatov circles away.
Bekbolatov goes for a double leg but Andrade avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Andrade continues to drive forward.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bekbolatov shoots for a double leg takedown but Andrade sprawls well. He's pushed Bekbolatov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Andrade misses the target.
Bekbolatov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bekbolatov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And Andrade counters with a quick kick to the body but Bekbolatov blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gonzalo Andrade.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Andrade, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gonzalo Andrade!