PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eki Vieri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anzhor Azhiev will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Vieri
vs
Azhiev

160 cm
34
158 lbs
15 - 17 - 0

177 cm
21
150 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eki Vieri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anzhor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azhiev doesn't manage to clinch there - Vieri circles away.
Vieri scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Azhiev throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Vieri lands a jab-cross combination.
Azhiev throws a head kick but Vieri moves out of range.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A left and a right from Vieri both land. Nice combination.
Vieri closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Vieri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Azhiev circles away quickly and effectively.
A combination from Vieri does no damage.
Vieri's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Vieri duly obliges.
Vieri will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Azhiev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vieri as he jumps to the side.
Vieri jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Vieri throws a right and a left that Azhiev avoids nicely.
Azhiev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vieri swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vieri's jab looks to have found its range, popping Azhiev under the eye.
Azhiev is looking to clinch.
Vieri works over Azhiev's head and body with a nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhiev tries to clinch but Vieri moves out of range.
Azhiev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A left and a right from Vieri both land. Nice combination.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a takedown. Vieri tries to sprawl out of it but Azhiev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vieri manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Eki Vieri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Vieri changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Vieri scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Azhiev walks into a stiff left hand from Vieri.
Vieri misses with a two punch combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Vieri!
Vieri fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Azhiev on the side of the head.
Vieri keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vieri throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Azhiev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vieri is working the combinations to good effect here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vieri with a hook.
Vieri lands with a nice combination. Azhiev backs away looking to recover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vieri throws a one two combo.
Vieri fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Azhiev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A right-left combo lands from Vieri.
Vieri scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Eki Vieri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vieri shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Azhiev eats them both and turns towards Vieri to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Vieri moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Azhiev tries to clinch up.
Azhiev is looking to clinch.
Vieri avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Good standup being displayed there by Vieri as he connects with a hook.
Vieri pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Azhiev back to the cage. Vieri follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Vieri misses with a series of wild punches.
Azhiev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Vieri.
Vieri is breathing heavily.
Vieri throws a series of punches but Azhiev avoids them all with ease.

Vieri gets caught napping as Azhiev dives in and scores a takedown. Vieri manages to retain guard.
Vieri is looking to stand up but Azhiev isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vieri scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Azhiev tries to clinch but Vieri is having none of it.
Vieri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Azhiev circles away quickly and effectively.
Azhiev has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A nice combination there by Vieri.
Vieri tries to bum rush Azhiev with a series of wild strikes but Azhiev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Azhiev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vieri swivels and escapes.
Azhiev misses with an uppercut. Vieri saw that one coming.
A right-left combo lands from Vieri.
Azhiev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Vieri throws a series of strikes that have Azhiev backpedaling.
Vieri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vieri lands with a nice combination. Azhiev backs away looking to recover.
A lazy left from Vieri finds it's target.
Vieri misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vieri looks to land a combination but Azhiev avoids it well.
Vieri throws a nice looking combination but Azhiev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Azhiev fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Azhiev has managed to clinch.
Vieri is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vieri blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vieri wants to break free but Azhiev has control.
Vieri can't break the clinch.

Vieri manages to break the clinch.
Vieri misses with a few strikes there.
Vieri slips a straight right by Azhiev.
Azhiev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vieri swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vieri lands with a nice body punch.
Vieri lands with a nice combination. Azhiev backs away looking to recover.
Vieri lands with a shot to the body.
Azhiev tries to clinch up.
Azhiev avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eki Vieri dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Azhiev tries to clinch up but Vieri circles away and keeps his distance.
Vieri throws a right hand that Azhiev ducks under and follows up with a left that Azhiev also avoids with ease.
The fight stays on the outside here - Azhiev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Azhiev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vieri slaps away a takedown attempt from Azhiev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Vieri moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Vieri ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vieri displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Vieri lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Vieri but Vieri pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vieri's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Vieri duly obliges.
Vieri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Left hook, right uppercut from Vieri.
Azhiev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vieri swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhiev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vieri swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vieri misses with a wild combination.
Vieri lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Azhiev backs up against the cage.
Vieri throws a series of strikes that have Azhiev backpedaling.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Azhiev slips a jab and a cross from Vieri.
Azhiev tries to bum rush Vieri with a series of wild strikes but Vieri uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Azhiev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Vieri.
Eki Vieri is winning the standup battle so far.
Vieri misses with a wild combination.
Azhiev tries to clinch there but Vieri circles away.
Vieri misses with a few strikes there.
Vieri throws a right hand that Azhiev ducks under and follows up with a left that Azhiev also avoids with ease.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vieri as he avoids it easily.
Eki Vieri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Azhiev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vieri throws out a powerful jab.
Vieri throws a right hand that Azhiev ducks under and follows up with a left that Azhiev also avoids with ease.
Azhiev tries to clinch up.
Azhiev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Vieri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vieri throws a nice looking combination but Azhiev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Vieri misses with the combination.
Azhiev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vieri lands a jab-cross combination.

Azhiev drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azhiev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

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

Vieri decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vieri lands a head shot.
Azhiev tries to clinch but Vieri moves out of range.
Vieri looks to land a combination but Azhiev avoids it well.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vieri defends it nicely.
Vieri smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Azhiev dodges the punch combination from Vieri.
Vieri scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Vieri pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Azhiev back to the cage. Vieri follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Eki Vieri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Azhiev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vieri paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vieri closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Vieri throws a series of punches but Azhiev moves out of range.
Vieri lands a lovely overhand right.
Vieri displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Azhiev.
Vieri throws a combination. Azhiev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vieri moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Azhiev tries to clinch up but Vieri circles away and keeps his distance.
Vieri throws a series of punches but Azhiev moves out of range.
Vieri swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Azhiev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Azhiev.
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!

Azhiev drops back looking for a leg! Vieri is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vieri manages to kick Azhiev off! Azhiev jumps back into Vieri's guard.
Azhiev throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Azhiev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Vieri manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Azhiev has Vieri in his guard.

Vieri gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eki Vieri dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Vieri lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Azhiev backs up against the cage.
Vieri lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Vieri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Vieri looks to land a combination but Azhiev avoids it well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Azhiev wants a takedown.
Vieri wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Azhiev has him pressed against the cage.

Vieri escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vieri misses with a double jab.
Azhiev fails with a takedown attempt.
Vieri lands a head shot.

Azhiev gets a clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Vieri breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vieri throws a series of punches but Azhiev moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Azhiev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vieri throws a series of punches but Azhiev moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhiev wants to clinch.

Azhiev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Azhiev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Vieri smiles and moves away.
Eki Vieri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Vieri listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Vieri swinging wildly here.
Vieri works over Azhiev's head and body with a nice combination.
Vieri throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Vieri lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Vieri lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Azhiev backs up against the cage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Azhiev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vieri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Azhiev wants to clinch up but Vieri keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Vieri but Vieri pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Eki Vieri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vieri scores with a one two! Azhiev had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Vieri scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Azhiev doesn't seem bothered though.
Azhiev is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vieri sprawls well. Vieri wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Azhiev gets slowly back to his feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Vieri!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vieri scores with a three punch combo!
Azhiev tries to clinch up but Vieri circles away and keeps his distance.
Vieri bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Azhiev's head backwards.
Vieri misses with a double jab.
Azhiev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Vieri connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Vieri connects with a looping right hand.
Vieri lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vieri throws a series of punches but Azhiev moves out of range.
Azhiev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Azhiev is looking to clinch but Vieri is avoiding it.
Danga de danga de dang - Vieri scores with a four punch combination!
Azhiev tries to close the distance and clinch but Vieri swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vieri misses with a jab, cross combination.
Vieri misses with a jab, cross combination.
Vieri avoids the body shot from Azhiev.
Azhiev is looking to clinch but Vieri is avoiding it.
Azhiev wants to clinch up but Vieri keeps it at a distance.
Vieri displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Vieri misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Azhiev looks for a takedown but Vieri sprawls well.
Vieri keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vieri closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Anzhor Azhiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vieri misses with a double jab.
Vieri slips a straight right by Azhiev.
Azhiev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Vieri throws a series of strikes that have Azhiev backpedaling.
Azhiev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vieri lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Azhiev backs up against the cage.
Azhiev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Azhiev tries for a takedown but Vieri sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vieri dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vieri lands a nice hook to Azhiev's body. Azhiev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Decent striking displayed by Vieri there.
Vieri misses with a series of wild punches.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vieri as he avoids it easily.
Vieri stalks Azhiev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Azhiev's face. Azhiev staggers backwards, shaken.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eki Vieri showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vieri, 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eki Vieri!