PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gregory Ananasov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hamid Karzai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hamid Karzai told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ananasov
vs
Karzai

189 cm
24
239 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
230 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gregory Ananasov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hamid Karzai!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Steve Erwin and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ananasov swats away the attempt to clinch by Karzai.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Karzai.

Ananasov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Karzai!
Karzai really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ananasov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Ananasov swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Karzai is now in Ananasov's guard. A big mistake from Ananasov there, giving up the dominant position!

Ananasov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Karzai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Karzai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karzai accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ananasov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Karzai gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Karzai has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ananasov is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ananasov being controlled here, momentarily.
Karzai stopping the sweep attempt from Ananasov.
Ananasov keeping full guard, as Karzai tries to pass.

Ananasov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Karzai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Karzai slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Karzai is looking to stand up but Ananasov won't let him.
Ananasov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two 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.

Ananasov looking for subs off his back but Karzai has passed one foot through into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ananasov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ananasov.

Ananasov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ananasov wants to sweep here but Karzai controlling him for the moment.
Ananasov is working hard here to advance position.

Ananasov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Karzai chips away with some ground and pound.

Ananasov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Karzai is aware though and is defending well.
Ananasov is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karzai trying to control the position from guard on top but Ananasov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Karzai drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Karzai jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ananasov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ananasov could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Karzai wants to stand and escape but instead Ananasov has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Karzai wants to stand up but Ananasov is controlling him.
Karzai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ananasov.

Ananasov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ananasov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Karzai throws a low kick but Ananasov avoids it.
Karzai stuffs the takedown.
Karzai wants to clinch up but Ananasov keeps it at a distance.

That's four 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.
Karzai tries for a takedown but Ananasov circles away easily

so Ananasov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Karzai is on top in guard.
Karzai wants to stand but Ananasov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Karzai trying to control the position from guard on top but Ananasov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ananasov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Karzai tries to stand but Ananasov is controlling from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Karzai won't allow Ananasov to sweep him here.
Karzai trying to control but Ananasov is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregory Ananasov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Karzai shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ananasov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ananasov.
Ananasov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karzai is keeping the position for now.
Karzai lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ananasov!
Ananasov sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Gregory Ananasov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Karzai missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ananasov moves into full guard.

Ananasov isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Karzai stacks Ananasov on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Karzai!
Ananasov tries to improve position but can't.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ananasov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Karzai's best efforts.
Karzai seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ananasov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

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

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ananasov feints and as Karzai raises his hands in defense, Ananasov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Karzai wants to stand but Ananasov is controlling the position.

Ananasov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Karzai is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Karzai has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ananasov has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Karzai doesn't defend quickly enough and Ananasov has managed to lock this one up! Can Karzai escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Ananasov on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Gregory Ananasov!