PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ahiga Otaktay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Kazarian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Otaktay comes to the cage accompanied by ISIS - THE TOWER. Kazarian has chosen Limp Bizkit - My Way as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Otaktay
vs
Kazarian

169 cm
35
148 lbs
38 - 12 - 0

165 cm
35
146 lbs
26 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Merciless Gladiators

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 38 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ahiga Otaktay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Tony Kazarian!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Otaktay defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kazarian.
Otaktay has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Broken Halo's -Temple of Illumination in the buildup to the fight.
Kazarian misses with a double jab.
Otaktay misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kazarian.
Sloppy strikes from Otaktay. Those never looked like landing.
Otaktay misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Otaktay digs a good body shot into Kazarian's ribs.
Kazarian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Otaktay darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Otaktay stuns Kazarian with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Otaktay tries to clinch up but Kazarian circles away and keeps his distance.
Kazarian misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kazarian changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Otaktay tries to avoid it but Kazarian manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Otaktay to the ground. Otaktay escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ahiga Otaktay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Kazarian.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kazarian moves away.
Otaktay cracks Kazarian with a good jab.
Otaktay tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kazarian is able to avoid easily.
Good leg kick by Otaktay there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A nice leg kick lands there from Otaktay.
Kazarian checks a low kick from Otaktay.

Otaktay closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Otaktay swings wildly with an uppercut but Kazarian uses good head movement to avoid it.
Otaktay throws a punch but it's blocked by Kazarian.
Otaktay keeps control of Kazarian as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kazarian has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Otaktay avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kazarian tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Otaktay with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay misses with a knee strike.
Otaktay stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Otaktay misses with a knee strike.
Otaktay is working Kazarian over against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Otaktay makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Kazarian gets a trip takedown into half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kazarian working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Kazarian with the ground and pound but Otaktay uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Otaktay preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Otaktay is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kazarian wants to improve his position but Otaktay is controlling well.
Otaktay missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kazarian has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kazarian is refusing to be controlled, as Otaktay sits in half guard.
Kazarian is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Otaktay's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Otaktay's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazarian looking for the choke but no joy.
Kazarian is trying to stick to Otaktay's back but Otaktay is turning into Kazarian. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kazarian's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Otaktay.
Kazarian bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Otaktay's guard.
Otaktay lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kazarian!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kazarian tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Otaktay throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kazarian because Otaktay loaded up on that one.
Otaktay lands a nice shot to the head.
Kazarian tries to reverse the position but Otaktay maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay cracks Kazarian with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Otaktay lands a big shot there that rocks Kazarian but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Otaktay goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Kazarian is on top in guard.
Otaktay wants to sweep here but Kazarian controlling him for the moment.
Kazarian is working Otaktay over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kazarian postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kazarian is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kazarian with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Otaktay looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kazarian stands and throws Otaktay's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kazarian working the ground and pound.
Kazarian wants to control but Otaktay is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kazarian blocks a head kick by Otaktay.
Otaktay avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kazarian doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Otaktay getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Otaktay tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kazarian was well out of range. Poor timing from Otaktay.
Kazarian ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Otaktay attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
The fight stays on the outside here - Otaktay looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Otaktay thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay stuffs the takedown attempt from Kazarian. Kazarian gets slowly back to his feet.

Otaktay gets caught flat footed, as Kazarian shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kazarian scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kazarian works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kazarian throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Otaktay wants to improve his position but Kazarian is controlling well.
Otaktay regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kazarian avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kazarian is in close to Otaktay's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kazarian throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Otaktay works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay looking for a sweep. Not yet Otaktay, not yet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kazarian postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Otaktay looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kazarian has picked Otaktay up and slammed him! Otaktay can't keep hold of the triangle and Kazarian manages to pass to side control!
Otaktay tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kazarian wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kazarian landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Tony Kazarian has got the better of the ground game so far.
Otaktay is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Otaktay takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Kazarian cracks Otaktay with a big right hand but Otaktay just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Otaktay regains half guard.
Otaktay wants to get back to full guard but Kazarian has passed into side control.
Kazarian landing a few strikes.
Otaktay is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Otaktay is trying to get back to half guard.
Kazarian passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Otaktay!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazarian content just to control the position here.
Otaktay regains half guard.
Kazarian prevents Otaktay from improving his position.

Kazarian is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Otaktay sees it coming and defends easily.
Kazarian trying to control the action but Otaktay is working from the bottom.
Kazarian seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Otaktay is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kazarian pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay tries to roll over but Kazarian keeps him under control.
Kazarian trying to control from half guard but Otaktay is working away.
Otaktay gets back to full guard.
Kazarian content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Otaktay working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kazarian doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kazarian manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kazarian trying to control the position from guard on top but Otaktay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Kazarian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kazarian shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Otaktay napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Otaktay gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Otaktay gets back to full guard.
Otaktay keeping moving, preventing Kazarian from controlling successfully.

Otaktay is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kazarian working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Otaktay's head.
Kazarian working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Otaktay's head.
Kazarian trying to control but Otaktay is working from the bottom.

Kazarian got a little sloppy there for a moment and Otaktay has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kazarian has managed to get both his arms back between Otaktay's legs - danger averted.
Kazarian working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazarian keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Otaktay's head.
Kazarian trying to control the position from guard on top but Otaktay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kazarian is working Otaktay over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

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

Otaktay had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kazarian defends it easily.
Kazarian's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kazarian with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Otaktay looking for a guillotine here but Kazarian defends easily.
Otaktay keeping moving, preventing Kazarian from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazarian throwing strikes from guard but Otaktay blocks nicely.

Otaktay throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kazarian escapes and throws Otaktay's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Kazarian working the head and body with strikes.

Kazarian tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kazarian has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kazarian landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Otaktay tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kazarian wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Otaktay is working hard here to advance position.

Kazarian is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Otaktay has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazarian scoring with punches from side control.
Kazarian landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kazarian lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Otaktay down.
Kazarian working the body and head with strikes.

Kazarian tries for a kimura but Otaktay is defending well.
Otaktay is not content to let Kazarian control the position.
Kazarian cracks Otaktay with a big right hand but Otaktay just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Kazarian works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Otaktay is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kazarian off and has taken his back!
Kazarian covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Otaktay is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Otaktay has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Otaktay missing with strikes from the back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Will Otaktay go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Kazarian wants to escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Kazarian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kazarian has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Kazarian!
Tony Kazarian decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Ahiga Otaktay was interviewed post fight and said 'Paul Simon was pretty tough it turns out, I really wanted to get this win for my team, and my alliance! I thought I could take him, it turns out Im getting old haha. I don't know how much more top competition I can face... It may be time to change my career haha...'.