PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Heydar Aliyev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yodsaenklai Fairtex (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Aliyev might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to 'Let's Get It On' by Marvin Gaye. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Aliyev
vs
Fairtex

179 cm
27
160 lbs
20 - 4 - 0

181 cm
23
169 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

ADCC Champion
World class MT
Powerful

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 20 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Heydar Aliyev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yodsaenklai Fairtex!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fairtex throws a poor cross that misses
letting Aliyev counter with a right hand.
Aliyev lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Aliyev fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Fairtex.
Fairtex shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Aliyev but Aliyev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aliyev throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aliyev throws a head kick but Fairtex moves out of range.
Aliyev connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Fairtex momentarily.
Aliyev moves away from the strike by Fairtex.
Aliyev throws a hook but Fairtex blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aliyev misses with an uppercut
and Fairtex counters with an outside leg kick.
Aliyev throws a series of punches but Fairtex avoids them all with ease.
Aliyev misses with a right hand
and Fairtex counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Aliyev thows a leg kick but Fairtex checks it

and Fairtex counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev keeping full guard, as Fairtex tries to pass.

Fairtex has gone for a leg lock! Aliyev slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fairtex's guard.
Aliyev looking to pass the guard.

Fairtex isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Aliyev stacks Fairtex 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 Aliyev!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The referee asks Aliyev politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Aliyev prefers to stall for the moment though.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aliyev has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Heydar Aliyev will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fairtex throws a right hand that misses
and Aliyev counters with an inside leg kick.
Aliyev throws a leg kick
and Fairtex counters with a low kick, right behind Aliyev 's knee.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fairtex.
Fairtex bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairtex lands a nice leg kick that just misses Aliyev's sensitive parts.
Fairtex throws a push kick but Aliyev slaps the foot to one side.

Aliyev has managed to clinch.
Fairtex throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Aliyev blocks it with crossed arms.
Aliyev is pressed up against the cage. Fairtex has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Aliyev down to the mat. Aliyev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Aliyev throws a poor cross that misses
and Fairtex makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

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.
Fairtex lands a jab to the nose.
Fairtex keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aliyev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Aliyev lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aliyev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fairtex somewhat.
Heydar Aliyev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yodsaenklai Fairtex.

Aliyev instigates a clinch.
A short left from Aliyev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aliyev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fairtex tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Aliyev avoids it.
Fairtex throws a knee to the head but misses.
Aliyev trying to land knees to the body.
Fairtex tries a knee to the head but Aliyev blocks it.
Fairtex misses with a knee to the head.
Fairtex is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Aliyev throws a punch but it's blocked by Fairtex.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fairtex content to slow the pace in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heydar Aliyev dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Aliyev drives through and clinches with Fairtex against the cage.
Fairtex with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Aliyev lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fairtex is trying to stall.
Fairtex keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Aliyev's efforts to push away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairtex is stalling here.
Fairtex looking to throw knees to the head but Aliyev is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairtex is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Aliyev is defending well for now.
Aliyev stalling.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Aliyev obliges.
Fairtex lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Fairtex has Aliyev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Aliyev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Fairtex throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fairtex pressing his opponent against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Fairtex's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Aliyev pressing his opponent against the cage.
Yodsaenklai Fairtex has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aliyev cracks Fairtex with a nice body shot.
Aliyev lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Aliyev breaks from the clinch.
A shot to the body from Aliyev misses
and Fairtex counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Aliyev lands a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fairtex's sensitive parts.
Aliyev throws a low kick, looking for Fairtex's leg but Fairtex calmly moves out of range.
Aliyev throws a leg kick

and Fairtex counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Fairtex is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Aliyev still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Aliyev has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Fairtex prevents Aliyev from moving into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Aliyev has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Heydar Aliyev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fairtex prevents Aliyev from improving position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aliyev controls the position from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Yodsaenklai Fairtex.
I think Aliyev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!