PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zigor Azarola (ranked 1475 p4p, 1180 weight class) and Stepan Grachev (ranked 195 p4p, 155 weight class). Azarola comes to the cage accompanied by Million Shattered Swords by Witchrot. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Azarola
vs
Grachev

160 cm
23
144
8 - 7 - 0

175 cm
29
165
10 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Conquer
Conviction

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 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zigor Azarola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stepan Grachev!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azarola feints and then cracks Grachev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Grachev down.

Grachev pushes Azarola up against the cage in a clinch.
Good body shot from Azarola.
Azarola is leaning against Grachev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Azarola stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Azarola lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Azarola throws a head punch that misses.
Azarola lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Grachev wants to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Grachev.
Grachev lands a hook that snaps the head of Azarola backwards.
Azarola is trying to stall.
Azarola struggles to land a body shot inside as Grachev controls his hands.
Grachev misses with a punch to the body.
Azarola lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Grachev or not.
A left hand lands to the body for Azarola.
Azarola lands a body punch.
Grachev being controlled against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Azarola.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azarola blocking some punches.
Grachev scores with a shoulder strike.
Grachev prevents a body shot from Azarola.
Azarola blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Azarola misses with a hook to the ribs.
Grachev letting Azarola take a breather here.
Azarola lands a nice shot to the body.
Grachev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Azarola misses with some punches.
Azarola struggles to land a body shot inside as Grachev controls his hands.
Azarola works on Grachev's body with a couple of short punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Grachev.
Azarola misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Azarola.
Azarola scores with a nice hook to the head.
Grachev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Azarola can't find room to land a body shot as Grachev controls the action.
Azarola throws a head punch that misses.
Grachev misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Azarola.
Azarola gets through Grachev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azarola lands a right hand.
Azarola struggles to land a body shot inside as Grachev controls his hands.
Azarola struggles to land a body shot inside as Grachev controls his hands.
Azarola misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Azarola on the inside.
Azarola lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Azarola lands a right hand.
Azarola makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Grachev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Grachev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Azarola misses with a punch on the inside.
Grachev misses with the head strike.
Azarola lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Grachev lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Azarola backwards.
Grachev lands a hook that snaps the head of Azarola backwards.
Azarola struggles to land a body shot inside as Grachev controls his hands.
Azarola's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Azarola lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grachev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Azarola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Grachev has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Azarola seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Grachev can turn it around.
Azarola lands a left hand.
Azarola swings wildly with an uppercut but Grachev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Azarola tries to work over Grachev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Grachev.
Grachev struggles to land a body shot inside as Azarola controls his hands.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Azarola.
Azarola makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Come on Azarola - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Grachev has Azarola pushed against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Azarola.
Azarola misses with a body punch.
Azarola works on Grachev's body with a couple of short punches.
Grachev prevents a body shot from Azarola.
Grachev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Azarola lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azarola lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Grachev is trying to force a seperation but Azarola has the dominant position.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Grachev takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Azarola blocks an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Grachev.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azarola misses with a punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Grachev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Azarola scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A right hand to the body from Azarola.
A head punch on the inside from Azarola fails to land.
Azarola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Azarola.
Grachev misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Azarola stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Azarola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Grachev struggles to land a body shot inside as Azarola controls his hands.
Azarola lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Azarola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Grachev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grachev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A solid leg kick lands there for Azarola.
Azarola avoids the head kick by Grachev.
Azarola throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A jab from Grachev misses.
Azarola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grachev was well out of range. Poor timing from Azarola.
Azarola connects with a crisp jab.
Grachev avoids a punch combination nicely.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Azarola here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Azarola tries to clinch up but Grachev circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grachev swings for the body but Azarola moves out of range.
Grachev thumps Azarola with a low kick.
Azarola throws a low kick but Grachev avoids it.
Azarola throws a head kick that misses.
A swing and a miss from Grachev.
Azarola throwing a counter right hand but Grachev manages to avoid it.
Azarola looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Azarola goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grachev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Grachev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Azarola lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Azarola.
Azarola is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Grachev can do to turn this around?
Azarola bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Azarola swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Grachev.
A low kick from Azarola is predictable there

and Grachev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Grachev.
A short uppercut from Grachev.
Azarola tries to stall but Grachev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Azarola prevents a body shot from Grachev.
Azarola swings wildly with an uppercut but Grachev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Azarola pushes Grachev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Grachev in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Azarola misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Grachev.
Azarola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Azarola.
Grachev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grachev misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grachev lands with a left to the head.
Zigor Azarola has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Azarola blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Azarola swings wildly with an uppercut but Grachev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Azarola tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Grachev's elbow.
Grachev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Grachev presses Azarola against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Azarola taking a breather.
Azarola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short left from Azarola.
Azarola lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Grachev lands a body shot in the clinch.
Azarola blocks an uppercut.
Azarola tries a body shot but Grachev blocks it.
Azarola tries to throw a body punch but Grachev avoids it by throwing Azarola back against the cage.
Azarola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Azarola tries to throw a body punch but Grachev avoids it by throwing Azarola back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Azarola fails to land.
Grachev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Azarola backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azarola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Azarola tries to throw a body punch but Grachev avoids it by throwing Azarola back against the cage.
Grachev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Grachev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Grachev swings wildly with an uppercut but Azarola uses good head movement to avoid it.
Azarola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Grachev takes a shot to the head.
Azarola dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Grachev misses with the head strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Azarola.
Azarola wants to stall.
Azarola struggles to land a body shot inside as Grachev controls his hands.
Azarola misses with a hook from the clinch.
Grachev is trying to force a seperation but Azarola has the dominant position.
Azarola's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Grachev lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Azarola swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azarola scores with a shot to the side of Grachev's head.
Nice body punch from Grachev.
Azarola misses with a punch to the body.
Azarola slows down the pace here.
Azarola fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Azarola.
Azarola lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Grachev.
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!
Grachev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Azarola scores with a shot to the side of Grachev's head.
Grachev stalling in the clinch but Azarola improves position.
Azarola lands a nice shot to the body.
A short right from Azarola.
Azarola struggles to land a body shot inside as Grachev controls his hands.
Grachev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Grachev taking a breather.
Grachev blocks an uppercut.
Grachev throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zigor Azarola dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice shot by Azarola.
Some bone on bone action there as Azarola checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Azarola just misses with a punch to the body.
Grachev misses with a body shot.
Grachev misses with a head kick.
Azarola fires out a quick counter leg kick but Grachev just manages to avoid it.

Azarola has Grachev up against the cage in a clinch.
Grachev misses with the head strike.
Azarola has a couple of punches blocked by Grachev.
Grachev prevents a body shot from Azarola.
Azarola misses with a punch to the body.
Grachev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grachev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Azarola swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Grachev scores with a nice hook to the head.
A shot in the inside from Azarola.
Azarola lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azarola struggles to land a body shot inside as Grachev controls his hands.
Azarola lands a nice uppercut.
Azarola takes a shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Grachev.
Grachev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Azarola throws a head punch that misses.
Grachev is looking to control Azarola's arms but Azarola gets an underhook and turns him. Now Grachev has his back to the cage.
Azarola lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Azarola wants to stall.
Grachev lands with a light punch inside.
Grachev can't find room to land a body shot as Azarola controls the action.
Grachev is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Azarola is keeping busy.
Azarola lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Grachev misses with the head strike.
Azarola misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Azarola.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A short right from Azarola.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Azarola tries to throw a body punch but Grachev avoids it by throwing Azarola back against the cage.
Azarola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Grachev struggles to land a body shot inside as Azarola controls his hands.
Azarola misses with some punches.
Azarola throws a punch but it's blocked by Grachev.
Grachev lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grachev.
Azarola misses with a hook to the ribs.
Azarola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Azarola scores with a nice short uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Azarola.
Grachev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Azarola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Azarola breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Grachev fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Azarola checks it well.
Grachev wants to clinch
and Azarola counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Grachev. Azarola does a little dance to reset his feet.
Grachev misses with an attempted mid kick.
Grachev throws a body shot but no joy.
Grachev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
An inside leg kick lands from Grachev.
A leg kick checked by Grachev.
Azarola connects with a good right hand that stumbles Grachev. Grachev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Grachev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Azarola throws a leg kick which misses Grachev's front leg but catches the back leg as Grachev tries to avoid it.
Azarola scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Grachev doesn't seem bothered though.
Grachev throws a body kick that misses.
Azarola with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Azarola lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Azarola fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Grachev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grachev lands a right hook to the body.
Stepan Grachev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azarola throws out a leg kick but Grachev moves out of range and Azarola only half commits.
Grachev throws out a counter right but Azarola avoids it with no problem.
Grachev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Grachev pivots, looking for a leg kick but Azarola is out of range and Grachev settles back down.
Azarola moves away from the strike by Grachev.
Grachev looks to score with a jab to the body but Azarola is just out of range.
Stepan Grachev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azarola looks to score with a jab to the body but Grachev is just out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Azarola crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Grachev - the referee stops the clock and Azarola gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Grachev. Azarola manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Grachev is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Azarola rather than just go for the knockout.
Azarola scores with a kick to the body.
Grachev misses with a wild body shot.
Grachev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A nice leg kick from Azarola, right into the meat of the thigh.
Azarola cracks Grachev with a good jab.
Grachev swings away with a body shot that misses
and Azarola counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice straight punches there by Grachev. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Grachev.
Azarola uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Grachev.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zigor Azarola showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Azarola has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zigor Azarola!
An out of breath Zigor Azarola thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.