PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alan Dzagoev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Illidan Stormrage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alan Dzagoev could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Illidan Stormrage's chin.

Dzagoev
vs
Stormrage

183 cm
28
210 lbs
12 - 12 - 0

191 cm
21
218 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
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 12 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alan Dzagoev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Illidan Stormrage!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stormrage shoots in for a takedown but Dzagoev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Dzagoev gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Stormrage to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Stormrage missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stormrage looking to sit in guard and control but Dzagoev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Stormrage has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stormrage can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Dzagoev controls the pace.
Dzagoev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stormrage manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dzagoev manages to get himself to full guard.
Stormrage wants to pass the guard but Dzagoev is keeping the position.
Stormrage trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Dzagoev manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stormrage wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzagoev wants to stand but Stormrage has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Dzagoev won't allow Stormrage to sweep him here.
Stormrage trying to control the position.
Dzagoev wants to control from the top but Stormrage keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stormrage doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Stormrage slips a straight right by Dzagoev.
Stormrage walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Dzagoev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Dzagoev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stormrage looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Stormrage tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dzagoev swivels and escapes.
Alan Dzagoev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stormrage shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dzagoev pinned against the cage. Dzagoev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Alan Dzagoev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Illidan Stormrage.
Dzagoev jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Dzagoev lands an overhand right.
Dzagoev stuffs the takedown.
Alan Dzagoev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dzagoev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dzagoev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Stormrage at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev leaves Stormrage with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Stormrage slips a jab from Dzagoev.
Nice takedown defense from Dzagoev. No joy for Stormrage on that attempt.
Dzagoev stuffs the takedown attempt from Stormrage. Stormrage gets slowly back to his feet.
Stormrage showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dzagoev.

Stormrage is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Dzagoev's half guard.
Dzagoev wants to control but Stormrage is keeping busy.
Stormrage looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev keeping hold of Stormrage's head, controlling as best he can.
Stormrage not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stormrage missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stormrage with the ground and pound but Dzagoev uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Stormrage trying to control the position from guard on top but Dzagoev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stormrage postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stormrage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dzagoev pulls Stormrage in close to his closed guard and prevents Stormrage from doing any damage or advancing position.
Dzagoev trying to keep a closed guard but Stormrage is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Dzagoev dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dzagoev misses with a hook.
Dzagoev swings for the body but Stormrage moves out of range.
Stormrage shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dzagoev sprawls well. Dzagoev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stormrage gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Dzagoev as Stormrage shoots in.
Stormrage shoots in for a takedown but Dzagoev shows good takedown defense.
Alan Dzagoev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Illidan Stormrage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dzagoev thows a body shot but no joy.
Dzagoev scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stormrage in his tracks.
Dzagoev throws a big shot that misses.
Dzagoev fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stormrage closes the distance and clinches up with Dzagoev, looking for a takedown. Stormrage pushes Dzagoev against the cage but Dzagoev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stormrage slips a jab from Dzagoev.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stormrage.
Dzagoev misses with a looping right.
Dzagoev uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Dzagoev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Horrible takedown by Stormrage or perhaps it was just good defense by Dzagoev which made him look bad.
Stormrage walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Dzagoev digs a good hook to Stormrage's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev stuffs the takedown attempt from Stormrage. Stormrage gets slowly back to his feet.
Dzagoev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Stormrage is breathing heavily.
Stormrage moves out of range as Dzagoev strikes.
Stormrage drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Dzagoev lands a head shot.
Stormrage tries to move into range but Dzagoev moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dzagoev connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stormrage's hands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stormrage slips a jab from Dzagoev.
Stormrage takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stormrage uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dzagoev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Stormrage drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Stormrage moves out of range of the strikes.
Stormrage ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dzagoev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stormrage.
Dzagoev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stormrage is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dzagoev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dzagoev lands a head shot.
Dzagoev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stormrage stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dzagoev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dzagoev slaps away a takedown attempt from Stormrage, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Stormrage.
Dzagoev lands a right hook to the body.
Dzagoev lands with a shot to the body.
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!
Dzagoev digs a good body shot into Stormrage's ribs.
Dzagoev jabs Stormrage to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Dzagoev with a jab.
Dzagoev cracks Stormrage with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice shot lands for Dzagoev.
Stormrage takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Dzagoev dominated that second 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Dzagoev scores with a jab to the jaw.
Dzagoev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stormrage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stormrage is defended easily by Dzagoev.
A shot to the liver by Dzagoev. Beautiful body shot.
Dzagoev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stormrage doesn't seem bothered though.
Stormrage uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dzagoev.
Stormrage takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dzagoev throws a looping overhand right but Stormrage ducks down to avoid it.
Stormrage shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dzagoev but Dzagoev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Alan Dzagoev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Illidan Stormrage.
Stormrage shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dzagoev as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzagoev scores with a body shot.
Dzagoev lands a nice hook to Stormrage's body. Stormrage takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Dzagoev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dzagoev lands a head shot.
Dzagoev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stormrage stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dzagoev's corner calls for a 1-2. Dzagoev obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Dzagoev scores with a hook to the body. Stormrage takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Dzagoev uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nice jab there from Dzagoev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stormrage has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dzagoev finds it's way round the side to connect with Stormrage's head.
Dzagoev cracks Stormrage with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Stormrage takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Dzagoev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stormrage was well out of range. Poor timing from Dzagoev.
Stormrage steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dzagoev.
Dzagoev scores with a decent looking hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dzagoev lands a jab.
Dzagoev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Stormrage at a distance.
Dzagoev misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nice straight punches there by Dzagoev. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Dzagoev.
Dzagoev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stormrage.
Stormrage looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dzagoev connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Dzagoev slaps away a takedown attempt from Stormrage, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dzagoev lands with a shot to the body.
Dzagoev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stormrage manages to avoid it.
Illidan Stormrage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dzagoev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stormrage can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev lands a nice looking body shot.
Dzagoev connects with a crisp jab.
Dzagoev jabs Stormrage to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Dzagoev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stormrage stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A jab from Dzagoev does it's job there.
Dzagoev scores with a body shot.
Jab from Dzagoev.
A jab from Dzagoev does it's job there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stormrage misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Dzagoev to counter with a crisp jab.
Dzagoev scores with a nice strike.
Dzagoev lands with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alan Dzagoev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dzagoev, 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:25
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:25
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alan Dzagoev!