PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Soz Sztrova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Amin Sax (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sztrova comes to the cage accompanied by In Flames - Delight and Anger. Sax has chosen Infected Mushroom - Smashing The Opponent as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Sztrova
vs
Sax

190 cm
26
200 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

181 cm
33
190 lbs
11 - 15 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Soz Sztrova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Amin Sax!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sztrova stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sax.
Sax lunges at Sztrova with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sztrova's hand.

It looks like Soz Sztrova has been cut.
Sax misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Amin Sax seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sztrova shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sax throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sax misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sax throws a nice outside leg kick.

Sax shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sztrova trying to control the position.
Sztrova wants to stand up but Sax is controlling him.
Sax passes Sztrova's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Sax is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sax trying to control the action but Sztrova is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sax is looking for a kimura but Sztrova is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sax to get the leverage.

Sztrova makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Sax shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sztrova manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sax trying to control but Sztrova is working from the bottom.
Sztrova wants to stand and escape but Sax is having none of it.
Sztrova keeping moving, preventing Sax from controlling successfully.
Sax looking to pass the guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Sztrova working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sax doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sax manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sax wants to control from the top but Sztrova keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sax slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sztrova is not content to let Sax control the position.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sax working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Sax stands up and beckons Sztrova to his feet.
Sax scores with a leg kick.

Sax feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Sztrova is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sax drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sztrova looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sztrova looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sztrova!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sztrova is trying to get an arm triangle but Sax is defending well.
Sax is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Sztrova decides to stand back up. Sztrova steps back and let's Sax get back to his feet.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sax, right into the meat.
Sax throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice sprawl there from Sztrova as Sax shoots in.

Sax feints and as Sztrova raises his hands in defense, Sax changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Sztrova is looking for a triangle but Sax pushes his legs off easily.
Sax sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sztrova's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sztrova wants to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sax seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sztrova does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Sax seems to be working for a kimura but Sztrova defends the submission attempt.
Sax looks gassed!

Sztrova actively working from the bottom here.
Sztrova makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sztrova.
Sax passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Sztrova is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sax working away.
Sztrova sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amin Sax dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Soz Sztrova's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sax tries a low kick but Sztrova avoids it.
Sax tries to score with a low kick but Sztrova moves his leg out of the way.
Sztrova shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sax sprawls well. Sax wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sztrova gets slowly back to his feet.
Sztrova tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sax sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sztrova somewhat.
Both fighters circling a little - Sax finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Sax throws a leg kick but Sztrova checks it.
Sax dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sztrova. That did some damage!
Sax closes the distance and clinches up with Sztrova, looking for a takedown. Sax pushes Sztrova against the cage but Sztrova circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sax tries to land a leg kick but Sztrova saw it coming and moves away.
Sax thumps Sztrova with a low kick.
Sax slaps away a takedown attempt from Sztrova, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Soz Sztrova. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sax chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sax. That's going to slow Sztrova down.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Sax shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Sax can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sztrova is looking to escape.
Sztrova tries to reverse the position but Sax maintains control.
Sax fails to move to back control.

Sax is working for a guillotine from mount but Sztrova frees his head quite easily.

Sax wants to finish this one by submission but Sztrova is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Sax.
Sztrova is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sax is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Sztrova is surviving well by controlling Sax's body position as best he can.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sztrova regains half guard.
Sax wants to take a breather but Sztrova is having none of it.

Sztrova looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sax looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Sax prevents Sztrova from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sztrova tries to roll over but Sax keeps him under control.

Sax is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sztrova sees it coming and defends easily.

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

Sax is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sztrova sees it coming and defends easily.
Sax is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sztrova!
Sztrova tries to hold on but Sax postures up.
Sax trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sztrova wants to control but Sax is having none of it.
Sax sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sax has hold of Sztrova's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Sztrova manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Sax won't let Sztrova get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Sax works his way to his opponent's back.
Sztrova trying to control the hands but Sax breaks the grip.
Sztrova tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sax looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Sztrova tries to buck Sax off but Sax takes his back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sax working for a choke but Sztrova is defending well.

Sztrova is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amin Sax showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Soz Sztrova's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sax tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sztrova swivels and escapes.
Sztrova shoots in looking for a takedown. Sax tries to sprawl out of it but Sztrova keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sax manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice takedown defense from Sax. No joy for Sztrova on that attempt.

Sztrova shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sztrova prevents Sax from standing back up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Sztrova is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sax defends it well.
Sztrova wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sax is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sztrova pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sax looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Sax kicks Sztrova off and gets back to his feet.
Sax throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sztrova.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Soz Sztrova. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sax throws a leg kick but Sztrova moved away.
Sax shoots and misses

and Sztrova counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sztrova.
Amin Sax has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sztrova gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sztrova drives through with a takedown into Sax's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Sztrova trying to control the position from guard on top but Sax is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sztrova is looking to stand up but Sax won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sax looking for a guillotine here but Sztrova defends easily.
Sax is looking to stand up but Sztrova isn't so interested in that idea.
Sztrova trying to control but Sax is working from the bottom.
Sztrova postures up.

Sztrova drops back looking for a leg! Sax is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sax manages to kick Sztrova off! Sztrova jumps back into Sax's guard.

Sztrova avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Amin Sax is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sztrova has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sax keeping moving, preventing Sztrova from controlling successfully.

Sax is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sztrova defends well.
Sztrova wants to get up but he can't break Sax's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Sax manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sztrova wants to hold on but Sax pushes him away.
Sax tries to control but Sztrova wriggling away.
Sax avoids the attempt from Sztrova to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sztrova tries to reverse the position but Sax maintains control.
Sztrova is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Sax has taken his back!
Sztrova prevents Sax from getting a body triangle.

Sztrova won't enjoy being in this position. Sax looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Sztrova is tapping - it's over boys! Sax picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Amin Sax!
Amin Sax very nearly forgot to thank Diamond Nutrition 160q 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.