PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fred Azzerbajjan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Micah Latote (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fred Azzerbajjan has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Azzerbajjan
vs
Latote

170 cm
24
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
194 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Fred Azzerbajjan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Micah Latote!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Latote closes the distance but Azzerbajjan moves to the side

and Azzerbajjan counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Latote.

Azzerbajjan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Latote connects with a single shot there.
Azzerbajjan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Latote as he avoids it easily.
Latote fails in his attempt to clinch.
Good leg kick by Latote there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Azzerbajjan circles away from the clinch attempt.

Latote moves into range and clinches up with Azzerbajjan.
Latote looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Latote is looking to break free of the clinch but Azzerbajjan has double underhooks.
Azzerbajjan with a knee to the head.

Azzerbajjan decides to pull guard.
Latote tries to stand but Azzerbajjan is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Azzerbajjan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Latote can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Latote told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Azzerbajjan seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Azzerbajjan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Latote is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Azzerbajjan in particular looking to stall.

Azzerbajjan decides to stand and escape the position.
Azzerbajjan has a takedown stuffed.

Latote moves into the clinch.
Latote is pressed up against the cage. Azzerbajjan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Latote down to the mat. Latote avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fred Azzerbajjan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Azzerbajjan rushes Latote and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Azzerbajjan blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latote blocks a body shot from Azzerbajjan.
Azzerbajjan could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Latote has had enough of the clinch but Azzerbajjan keeps him there for the moment.

Azzerbajjan has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Latote uses from the top position.
Azzerbajjan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Latote is one step ahead there.
Latote tries to stand but Azzerbajjan is controlling from the bottom.
Azzerbajjan is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azzerbajjan looking for a sweep. Not yet Azzerbajjan, not yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice uppercut lands for Latote. That snapped Azzerbajjan's head back.
Azzerbajjan throws a leg kick that is checked
and Latote counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Azzerbajjan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Latote slips a jab and a cross from Azzerbajjan.

Azzerbajjan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Azzerbajjan stays in close to Latote's body and controls the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Azzerbajjan won't allow Latote to get back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Azzerbajjan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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 Fred Azzerbajjan will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Azzerbajjan keeps the fight on the outside.

Azzerbajjan clinches.

Azzerbajjan has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Latote regains guard immediately.
Azzerbajjan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Latote is keeping the position for now.
Latote wants to stand up but Azzerbajjan is controlling him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Azzerbajjan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Azzerbajjan is looking to work some ground and pound but Latote has wrist control.
Latote wants to stand up but Azzerbajjan is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azzerbajjan tries to free his leg and advance position but Latote is retaining full guard.
Latote really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Azzerbajjan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Azzerbajjan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Azzerbajjan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Azzerbajjan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Azzerbajjan won't allow Latote to get back to his feet.

Azzerbajjan gets to his feet. Latote looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Latote lands a really nice looking cross but Azzerbajjan seems unphased.
Azzerbajjan shoots in for a takedown but Latote shows good takedown defense.
Latote lands a nice hook to Azzerbajjan's body. Azzerbajjan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Latote fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latote works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Latote tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Latote wants to clinch up but Azzerbajjan keeps it at a distance.
Latote wants to clinch.
Latote throws a one two combo.
Latote keeps the fight on the outside.
Latote throws a front kick that sends Azzerbajjan stumbling back into the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Latote throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nice body punch from Latote.

Latote gets tackled into the cage by Azzerbajjan. Azzerbajjan maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azzerbajjan manages to break the clinch.
Azzerbajjan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Azzerbajjan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fred Azzerbajjan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Latote slaps away a takedown attempt from Azzerbajjan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Azzerbajjan misses with a body shot.
Latote is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Latote wants to clinch up but Azzerbajjan keeps it at a distance.
Decent striking displayed by Latote there.
Azzerbajjan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Micah Latote is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jab from Latote.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Azzerbajjan darts in and clinches Latote up against the cage.
Latote wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Azzerbajjan has him pressed against the cage.

Azzerbajjan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Latote tries to clinch up.
Azzerbajjan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fred Azzerbajjan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Azzerbajjan takes the fight into the clinch.

Azzerbajjan turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Azzerbajjan thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Azzerbajjan passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Latote!
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 Fred Azzerbajjan will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Azzerbajjan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Latote wants to clinch up but Azzerbajjan keeps it at a distance.
Azzerbajjan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Azzerbajjan looks to score with a jab to the body but Latote is just out of range.
Latote keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Latote defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Azzerbajjan.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fred Azzerbajjan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Latote moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Azzerbajjan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Latote gets tackled into the cage by Azzerbajjan. Azzerbajjan maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azzerbajjan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Latote tries to clinch up but Azzerbajjan circles away and keeps his distance.
Latote tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Azzerbajjan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Azzerbajjan misses with the body kick
and Latote counters with a head kick.
Azzerbajjan misses with a double jab.
Latote lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Latote wants to clinch up but Azzerbajjan keeps it at a distance.
Azzerbajjan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Latote as he avoids it easily.
Azzerbajjan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Latote counters with a stiff right hand.
Azzerbajjan shoots in for a double leg but Latote sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Latote fails with an attempt to clinch.

Azzerbajjan dives in and scores a takedown into Latote's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Azzerbajjan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Latote wants to get back to his feet but Azzerbajjan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Azzerbajjan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Latote is keeping the position for now.
Latote wants to get back to his feet but Azzerbajjan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Latote has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Azzerbajjan has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Latote has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Azzerbajjan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Latote's efforts to push away.

Azzerbajjan decides to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latote wants to get up but he can't break Azzerbajjan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Azzerbajjan has Latote pulled in close to control his posture.
Azzerbajjan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Azzerbajjan manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Azzerbajjan lands a big shot there that rocks Latote but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Azzerbajjan thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Azzerbajjan mounts Latote! Really nice guard pass there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Latote is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

Azzerbajjan swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Latote is now in Azzerbajjan's guard. A big mistake from Azzerbajjan there, giving up the dominant position!
Azzerbajjan pulls Latote in close to prevent any damage.
Latote trying to stand up but can't free himself from Azzerbajjan's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Latote won't allow Azzerbajjan to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Fred Azzerbajjan.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Azzerbajjan, 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Fred Azzerbajjan!
Fred Azzerbajjan bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.