PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steven Larkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anzor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Larkin comes to the cage accompanied by Hollywood Undead. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Larkin
vs
Azhiev

173 cm
25
160 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

177 cm
27
166 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Knockout power

Reaper Combatwear
Just Fight

Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Steven Larkin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anzor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azhiev's jab looks to have found its range, popping Larkin under the eye.

It looks like Steven Larkin has been cut.

Larkin drives through with a takedown into Azhiev's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Larkin postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Azhiev is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Larkin, into his guard.

Larkin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Azhiev defends it easily.

Larkin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Azhiev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Azhiev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Larkin can't keep his opponent in guard - Azhiev advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Larkin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhiev stalling away here and it's allowed Larkin to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Larkin looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Azhiev has picked Larkin up and slammed him! Larkin can't keep hold of the triangle and Azhiev manages to pass to side control!
Azhiev moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Azhiev looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larkin wants to control but Azhiev postures up.

Azhiev stands up.

Larkin closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Azhiev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Larkin is working away from the top position though.

Larkin seems to be looking for submissions.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Larkin is looking to advance position but Azhiev won't allow it.
Azhiev tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Larkin is pressing down on Azhiev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Azhiev is holding on for now.
Azhiev tries to get to full guard but Larkin has control of the leg.

Larkin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Azhiev defends it well.
Larkin prevents Azhiev from improving his position.

Larkin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Azhiev has managed to free his arm - good work.

Azhiev has one foot on Larkin's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Larkin closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Azhiev is trying to control Larkin's posture but Larkin avoids it.

Larkin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Azhiev, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Larkin swings around for an armbar but Azhiev sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Larkin's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azhiev trying to control but Larkin is working from the bottom.
Azhiev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Azhiev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
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 Steven Larkin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Steven Larkin's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Larkin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Larkin tries to free his leg and advance position but Azhiev is retaining full guard.

Larkin drops back, looking for a kneebar! Azhiev looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Azhiev looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Azhiev!
Larkin is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Azhiev throws an elbow but Larkin slips to the side and avoids it well.
Larkin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Azhiev is pressing down on Larkin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Azhiev wants to stand but Larkin is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin wants to pass the guard but Azhiev is keeping the position.
Azhiev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Larkin stopping the sweep attempt from Azhiev.
Larkin pushing down on Azhiev's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Steven Larkin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larkin tries to pass the half guard into mount. Azhiev knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Larkin wants to work for an arm triangle but Azhiev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Azhiev is trying to stand back up but Larkin is controlling him
Azhiev manages to get to full guard.
Larkin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Azhiev swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev is trying to keep Larkin in close.
Larkin stands and throws Azhiev's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Larkin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Azhiev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Azhiev sneaks back into half guard.
Larkin is keen to just control but Azhiev is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Larkin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Larkin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Larkin throwing shots but Azhiev is blocking nicely.

Larkin is trying to work for a kimura but Azhiev is defending well.
Azhiev manages to get to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Azhiev is adopting a defensive guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Larkin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Steven Larkin's cut.
That's time! Larkin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Azhiev pushes Larkin up against the cage in a clinch.

Azhiev gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Larkin gets back to full guard.
Azhiev trying to control the position from guard on top but Larkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Larkin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Larkin has his foot on Azhiev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Azhiev works his way back into a safe position though.
Azhiev sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larkin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Larkin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Azhiev trying to control but Larkin is working from the bottom.

Larkin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Azhiev is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev tries to free his leg and advance position but Larkin is retaining full guard.

Larkin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Azhiev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Larkin throws his legs up looking for a submission but Azhiev uses it to pass to side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Larkin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Larkin wants to get back to full guard but Azhiev has mounted him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Azhiev lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Azhiev avoids the attempt from Larkin to control.
Azhiev takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Larkin tries to lock up and control but Azhiev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Azhiev thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Azhiev can't control as he wanted to and Larkin manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Larkin wants to improve his position but Azhiev is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Azhiev is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Azhiev trying to pass the guard but Larkin defending well.
Larkin is not content to let Azhiev control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Anzor Azhiev hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Larkin wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Anzor Azhiev just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Steven Larkin's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Larkin fails with an attempt to clinch.

Larkin looking to score a takedown here. Azhiev is defending well but Larkin drives through and ends up in Azhiev's guard.
Larkin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Azhiev is keeping the position for now.
Larkin stopping the sweep attempt from Azhiev.
Azhiev looking to control.

Azhiev is looking for a triangle but Larkin pushes his legs off easily.
Larkin trying to control the position from guard on top but Azhiev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Larkin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Azhiev is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin pushes down on Azhiev's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Azhiev is staying active underneath Larkin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Azhiev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Larkin is working away from the top position though.
Azhiev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Larkin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Larkin is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Larkin is trying to work for a kimura but Azhiev is defending well.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Larkin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Azhiev is just riding it out for now. Larkin eventually gives up the hold.
Azhiev works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev looking to control.
Larkin passes Azhiev's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Azhiev wants to control but Larkin is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Larkin maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Azhiev could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Larkin has cracked it and Azhiev is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Larkin!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Steven Larkin!
Steven Larkin retains his lightweight title!
Steven Larkin very nearly forgot to thank Reaper Combatwear amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.