PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Inclan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rafael Inclan acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Azhiev
vs
Inclan

177 cm
26
165 lbs
8 - 28 - 0

225 cm
32
165 lbs
7 - 21 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Good low kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anzhor Azhiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Inclan!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Azhiev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Inclan sprawls well initially but Azhiev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Azhiev is working for a kimura but Inclan is defending it quite comfortably.

Azhiev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Inclan doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Azhiev.

Azhiev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Inclan throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Azhiev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Azhiev is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inclan moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Azhiev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Inclan dives on top into guard.
Inclan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Azhiev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Inclan is looking to stand up but Azhiev won't let him.

Azhiev is looking for a triangle here but Inclan uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Inclan wants to stand but Azhiev has his arm trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev manages to get back to half guard.
Inclan winds up and cracks Azhiev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Inclan moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Azhiev.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Inclan has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Azhiev tries to improve his position but instead Inclan has taken his back!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azhiev is taking damage to the body and head.
Inclan throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Azhiev is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inclan lands punches and elbows.
Inclan doesn't have the hooks in and Azhiev manages to turn into his guard.
Azhiev slips nicely into half guard.
Inclan trying to control but Azhiev postures up.

Azhiev seems to be looking for submissions.

Azhiev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Azhiev seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Inclan lands with a few short shots to the body.
Inclan is trying to stand back up but Azhiev is controlling him

Azhiev is looking for a kimura but Inclan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Azhiev to get the leverage.
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!
Inclan looks like he's trying to stand up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Azhiev seems to be working for a kimura but Inclan defends the submission attempt.
Inclan wants to get back to his feet.
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 Anzhor Azhiev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Azhiev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Inclan tries to clinch up.
Inclan fails with a takedown attempt.
Inclan shoots for a double leg takedown but Azhiev sprawls well. He's pushed Inclan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Inclan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Azhiev as he avoids it easily.
Anzhor Azhiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Inclan.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Inclan enables Azhiev to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Inclan manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Azhiev is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Inclan is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Inclan has escaped and now he's on top!

Inclan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Azhiev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Inclan has managed to get both his arms back between Azhiev's legs - danger averted.
Inclan passes Azhiev's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Inclan is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Azhiev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azhiev is looking for a triangle here but Inclan uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Azhiev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Inclan lands a nice forearm strike.
Inclan tries to stand but Azhiev is controlling his head.
Inclan tries to advance to mount but Azhiev denies him.
Inclan tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Inclan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Inclan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Azhiev has escaped the position, nice work there.
Azhiev is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Inclan's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Azhiev actively working from the bottom here.

Azhiev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Inclan is working for a submission of some sort.

Azhiev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Inclan pulls his head out easily.
Azhiev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Inclan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Azhiev defending well though.

Inclan is working for a kimura but Azhiev is defending it quite comfortably.
Azhiev moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Inclan throwing strikes from guard but Azhiev blocks nicely.
Azhiev keeping full guard, as Inclan tries to pass.
Azhiev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Azhiev looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Inclan is defending well. Azhiev quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Inclan has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Azhiev celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Anzhor Azhiev!
Anzhor Azhiev got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'