PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bekjan Askaraliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edvard Westerlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Askaraliev's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Yerbolat- Men Kazakhpyn. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Askaraliev
vs
Westerlund

185 cm
24
212 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

175 cm
20
175 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS - AJFC ↑ DOUBLE 160Q *
Beast Body

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bekjan Askaraliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Edvard Westerlund!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askaraliev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Westerlund.
The fighters circling - Westerlund throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Askaraliev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Askaraliev wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Askaraliev. No joy for Westerlund on that attempt.

Askaraliev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Westerlund on his heels. He'll look to pass Westerlund's guard now, I'm sure.
Westerlund keeping moving, preventing Askaraliev from controlling successfully.
Westerlund working a defensive guard here.
Westerlund has momentary wrist control but Askaraliev slips an elbow through the middle.
Askaraliev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Askaraliev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Askaraliev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Westerlund dives on top into guard.
Askaraliev looking for a sweep. Not yet Askaraliev, not yet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Askaraliev will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Askaraliev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Westerlund can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Askaraliev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Askaraliev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Askaraliev keeping moving, preventing Westerlund from controlling successfully.

Askaraliev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Westerlund connects with a couple of short punches.
Westerlund throws a big right hand that misses.
Westerlund throwing strikes but missing.
Westerlund is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Westerlund distracts Askaraliev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Westerlund wants to control from the top but Askaraliev keeps moving.
Westerlund distracts Askaraliev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Westerlund advances to half guard.
Askaraliev wants to get back to full guard.
Askaraliev misses with some strikes from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Westerlund sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Westerlund looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Askaraliev is staying active underneath Westerlund, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Askaraliev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Askaraliev tries to get out of the position.
Westerlund prevents Askaraliev from improving his position.
Askaraliev is staying active underneath Westerlund, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Askaraliev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Westerlund seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Askaraliev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Askaraliev makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Askaraliev.
Westerlund postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Askaraliev has an active guard here but Westerlund has managed to pass into half guard.

Askaraliev looking for submissions off his back.
Askaraliev is breathing heavily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Westerlund lands a nice short elbow.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Westerlund connects with a nice short shot to Askaraliev's temple.
Westerlund lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Askaraliev trying to hold on to Westerlund's head to control him but Westerlund postures up.
Westerlund passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Askaraliev!
Westerlund with good strikes from the mount here!
Westerlund is landing with some decent strikes but Askaraliev is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Westerlund looking to finish Askaraliev with some ground and pound. This is bad for Askaraliev!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Askaraliev takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Askaraliev working to try and regain half guard.
Askaraliev flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Westerlund with a couple of short strikes.
Askaraliev is in a horrible position here. Westerlund smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Askaraliev takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Westerlund's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Edvard Westerlund!