PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Azinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charlie Cliche (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Azinger might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Racoon - No mercy. Paul Azinger could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Charlie Cliche's chin.

Azinger
vs
Cliche

204 cm
28
220 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

187 cm
27
212 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Azinger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Charlie Cliche!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azinger tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cliche swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Azinger misses with a left hand
and Cliche counters with a series of strikes. Azinger will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cliche on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Azinger looks to score with a jab to the body but Cliche is just out of range.
Azinger throws a sloppy head kick and Cliche moves out of range easily.
Cliche blocks the body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Azinger.
Azinger misses with a wild body shot.
A head kick misses from Azinger.
Azinger throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cliche.
Azinger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Azinger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cliche keeps the fight on the outside.
Cliche changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Azinger tries to avoid it but Cliche manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Azinger to the ground. Azinger escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cliche fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cliche moves out of range as Azinger strikes.
Cliche moves out of range of the body kick.

Cliche closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Azinger to the mat! Azinger manages to get full guard.
Cliche trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Azinger looking for a sweep. Not yet Azinger, not yet.
Azinger preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Azinger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cliche is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cliche accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Azinger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Azinger trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azinger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Azinger wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Azinger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cliche postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Azinger trying to keep a closed guard but Cliche is proving a slippery customer.

We're going to have a standup here because Paul Azinger wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Azinger looks to land a body kick but Cliche moved away.
Azinger misses with an uppercut.
Azinger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A leg kick checked by Cliche.
Azinger throws a hook to the side of Cliche's head but Cliche sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Azinger fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azinger looks for the body kick but Cliche saw that one coming.
Azinger lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
An inside leg kick lands from Azinger.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Azinger, right into the meat.
Azinger throws out a leg kick but Cliche moves out of range and Azinger only half commits.
Azinger takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Azinger misses with an uppercut. Cliche saw that one coming.
A swing and a miss from Azinger.
Azinger fails to land with a series of punches.
Cliche has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Azinger.
Azinger throws a quick inside leg kick.
Paul Azinger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Azinger throws a jab but it's blocked by Cliche.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azinger misses with a looping left.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Azinger tries to land a front kick but Cliche steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Azinger cracks Cliche with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Azinger scores with a push kick.
Azinger thows a body shot but no joy.
Azinger lands a leg kick that knocks Cliche off balance momentarily.
Azinger is looking to land body kicks.
Azinger throws a nice looking combination but Cliche bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Azinger throws a hook to the side of Cliche's head but Cliche sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good shot there by Azinger.
Azinger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Azinger moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Azinger dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Azinger with a nice cross.
Cliche shoots in and drives through. Azinger sprawls well.
Azinger misses with a body punch

and Cliche counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Azinger looking for a sweep. Not yet Azinger, not yet.
Cliche wants to control from the top but Azinger keeps moving.
Azinger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cliche being controlled here momentarily.
Cliche won't allow Azinger to sweep him here.
Cliche throwing strikes from guard but Azinger blocks nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cliche keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Azinger's head.
Azinger will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Azinger is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azinger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Azinger is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Azinger has control of Cliche's left arm, preventing Cliche from doing any damage.
Cliche throws a big elbow that misses.
Azinger wants to improve his position but instead Cliche has moved into half guard.
Azinger is looking for a sweep. Cliche is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Azinger is trying is best to control the position here.
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. Cliche connects with a nice short shot to Azinger's temple.
Azinger manages to get to full guard.
Cliche with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cliche missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cliche connects with a couple of short punches.
Charlie Cliche has got the better of the ground game so far.
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!
Cliche postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Azinger is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Cliche makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cliche.
Cliche keeping full guard, as Azinger tries to pass.
Cliche looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Azinger sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Cliche controls Azinger momentarily but Azinger frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cliche keeping moving, preventing Azinger from controlling successfully.
Azinger engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Azinger throws a lazy right hand but Cliche sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Azinger tries to score with a low kick but Cliche moves his leg out of the way.
Cliche avoids the body shot from Azinger.
Azinger misses with a body shot
letting Cliche counter with a right hand.
Azinger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Charlie Cliche is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Azinger connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cliche. Cliche circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azinger throws a shot from downtown. Cliche moves away and avoids it.
Cliche closes the distance and clinches up with Azinger, looking for a takedown. Cliche pushes Azinger against the cage but Azinger circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Azinger jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Paul Azinger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azinger just misses with a punch to the body.
Azinger connects with the punch.
Azinger misses with a right hand

and Cliche counters by moving into the clinch.

Cliche decides to pull guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azinger stays in close to Cliche's body and controls the position.
Cliche trying to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Azinger pushing down on Cliche's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Azinger tries to stand but can't do so whilst Cliche controls his leg.
Azinger controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Paul Azinger will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Azinger lands with a shot to the body.
Azinger tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cliche paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cliche checks the leg kick nicely there.
Cliche ducks under a wild hook from Azinger.
Cliche gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Azinger throws a leg kick but Cliche sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Azinger takes a swing at Cliche's ribcage but misses.
Azinger throws a hook but Cliche avoids it easily.
Azinger is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Azinger ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cliche moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azinger looks to land a combination. Cliche sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Azinger throws a body punch but Cliche moves out of range.
Azinger fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cliche looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Azinger misses with an uppercut
and Cliche connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Azinger throws a leg kick but Cliche checks it.
Azinger throws a lazy right hand but Cliche sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Azinger throws a lazy head kick

and Cliche counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Cliche lands with a punch from half guard.
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!
Azinger is not content to let Cliche control the position.
Azinger is pressing down on Cliche's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cliche wants to pass the guard but Azinger is keeping the position.
Cliche postures up in Azinger's guard and throws a big left but Azinger blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azinger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cliche trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cliche scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cliche is looking to work some ground and pound but Azinger has wrist control.
Cliche scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Azinger pulls Cliche in to control the position.
Azinger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cliche accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cliche throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Azinger works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cliche working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Azinger pulls Cliche in close to prevent any damage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Paul Azinger.
Cliche moves out of range of the leg kick from Azinger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cliche blocks a jab.
Paul Azinger is winning the standup battle so far.
Azinger misses with a body shot.
Azinger throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cliche takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cliche shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Azinger as he avoids it easily.
Azinger lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Azinger misses with a looping left.
Azinger throws a sloppy head kick and Cliche moves out of range easily.
Azinger tries to clinch up
and Cliche counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azinger pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Azinger lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cliche at a distance.
Azinger misses with a hook.
Azinger wants to clinch
and Cliche cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Azinger tries a head kick but it misses.
Azinger misses with a low kick.
Charlie Cliche has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paul Azinger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A big left from Azinger misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Azinger looks to score with a jab to the body but Cliche is just out of range.
Azinger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Azinger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Azinger showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Azinger, 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Azinger!
An out of breath Paul Azinger thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.