PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Valentyn Azhur (ranked 5076 p4p, 5156 weight class) and Daniel DC (ranked 622 p4p, 627 weight class). DC has chosen Wolf Totem as his entrance music. Valentyn Azhur has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Azhur
vs
DC

175 cm
25
205
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
20
200
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

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 St Petersburg, Valentyn Azhur!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daniel DC!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azhur connects with a crisp jab.
We've been told by Azhur's head coaches at Cozad MMA St Petersburg that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Jeez, both these guys look absolutely knackered already, that's not a good sign!
Azhur lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
DC's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Azhur connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! DC scrambles back to his feet.
Azhur moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Azhur!
Azhur's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Azhur duly obliges.
DC walks into a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azhur connects with a crisp jab.
Azhur throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and DC counters with a shoot takedown. Azhur fights it but they end up in guard.
DC won't allow Azhur to get back to his feet.
Azhur has momentary wrist control but DC slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DC trying to control the position from guard on top but Azhur is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
DC might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Azhur haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
DC trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Azhur keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Azhur closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Valentyn Azhur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Azhur misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhur stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The fighters circle momentarily. Azhur darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Azhur pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces DC back to the cage. Azhur follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Azhur!
Azhur scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Azhur scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
DC on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Azhur displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Azhur lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
DC closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DC takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Azhur is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Decent striking displayed by Azhur there.
DC has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Azhur is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Azhur connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Azhur fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Azhur lands a head shot.
DC takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
DC darts in looking for a takedown but Azhur gets double underhooks and turns DC into the cage.
DC walks into a left hand.
DC fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
DC takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Azhur.

DC fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Azhur sprawls well initially but DC persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Azhur is trying to stand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
DC is looking to stall here but Azhur recovers full guard.
Azhur wants to stand and escape but DC is having none of it.
DC stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Azhur swivels though and keeps the full guard.

DC drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Azhur dives on top into guard.

Azhur has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
DC is trying to keep Azhur in close.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Valentyn Azhur dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Azhur moves into range and connects with a jab.
DC has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Azhur finds it's way round the side to connect with DC's head.
Azhur works the jab nicely.
Azhur lands a lovely overhand right.
Azhur lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Azhur tries to bum rush DC with a series of wild strikes but DC uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Azhur stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Azhur wants it to stay on the feet.
Azhur moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Azhur lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Azhur.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azhur pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces DC back to the cage. Azhur follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Azhur lands a really nice looking cross but DC seems unphased.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DC walks into a stiff left hand from Azhur.
Azhur lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Azhur is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that DC can do to turn this around?
Azhur lands an overhand right.
DC takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Azhur keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Valentyn Azhur is winning the standup battle so far.
Azhur connects with a single shot there.
DC walks into a left hand.
Valentyn Azhur is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Azhur misses with a double jab

and DC counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Azhur on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Azhur tries to get out of the position.

DC is working for a kimura but Azhur is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

DC is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Azhur sees it coming and defends easily.
Azhur is trying to stand back up but DC is controlling him
DC winds up and cracks Azhur with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
DC stops Azhur from getting back to his feet.
DC is pressing down on Azhur's thigh, looking to free his foot. Azhur is holding on for now.

DC 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DC is looking to take a break and control but Azhur is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
DC is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Azhur keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Valentyn Azhur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel DC.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
DC on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Azhur bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of DC's head.
A cross from Azhur lands.
Azhur throws a series of strikes that have DC backpedaling.
Azhur is working the combinations to good effect here.
Azhur thuds his right hand into DC's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Danga de danga de dang - Azhur scores with a four punch combination!
Nice straight punches there by Azhur. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Azhur.
Donk. Azhur catches DC right on the button with a cross.
DC takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Azhur throws a series of strikes that have DC backpedaling.
Valentyn Azhur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azhur moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Valentyn Azhur dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Azhur connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice shot by Azhur.
DC has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Azhur lands a jab-cross combination.
DC takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
DC shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Azhur pinned against the cage. Azhur gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Azhur goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab from Azhur.
Azhur clobbers DC with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhur lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Azhur bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps DC's head backwards.
Azhur fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches DC on the side of the head.
Azhur lands a two punch combo.
Azhur lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as DC backs up against the cage.
Azhur throws a series of punches but DC avoids them all with ease.
Azhur lands a jab-cross combination.
DC tries to move into range but Azhur moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Azhur misses with a jab, cross combination.
Azhur rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but DC moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Azhur throws a left and a right that both miss

and DC counters with a nice double leg into guard.
DC looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DC working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Azhur is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

DC's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A left and a right from Azhur both land. Nice combination.
Azhur scores with a nice right hand.
Azhur displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
DC walks into a straight right hand from Azhur.
Azhur throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhur scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Azhur swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by DC.

Azhur gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

DC thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
DC wants to control from the top but Azhur keeps moving.

DC drops back looking for a leg! Azhur is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Azhur manages to kick DC off! DC jumps back into Azhur's guard.
Azhur wants to stand and escape but DC is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DC tries to free his leg and advance position but Azhur is retaining full guard.
DC keeps trying to improve his position.

DC is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Azhur kicks DC off and gets to his feet.
Daniel DC has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Azhur scores with a nice right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentyn Azhur showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Azhur, 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentyn Azhur!
The defeated Daniel DC had this to say: 'Learn, grow and come back stronger. I will return'.