PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anatoly Bazanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felix Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bazanov
vs
Fernandez

170 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

183 cm
20
210 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Anatoly Bazanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Felix Fernandez!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Radbod Blank and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bazanov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Bazanov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Bazanov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
You can see the frustration on Fernandez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've been hearing that Bazanov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Bazanov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Bazanov with the ground and pound but Fernandez regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Bazanov throwing shots but Fernandez is blocking nicely.
Fernandez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bazanov.
Fernandez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fernandez keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Bazanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fernandez is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez is trying to control but can't.
Fernandez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bazanov.
Bazanov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bazanov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fernandez defending well though.
Bazanov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fernandez defending well though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bazanov working over Fernandez with some ground and pound. Fernandez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fernandez is positioning himself well to prevent Bazanov advancing to mount.
Bazanov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bazanov is nestled in close to Fernandez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bazanov wants to free his trapped foot but Fernandez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fernandez is controlling Bazanov's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bazanov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bazanov throws a strike but Fernandez avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Fernandez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fernandez 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.
Fernandez controlling Bazanov's posture.
Bazanov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bazanov stops Fernandez from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov is looking to work some ground and pound but Fernandez has wrist control.
Bazanov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bazanov throws an elbow that misses. Fernandez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bazanov's guard. Nice move by Fernandez!
Bazanov wants to stand up but Fernandez is controlling him.
Bazanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fernandez is one step ahead there.
Fernandez stays in close to Bazanov's body and controls the position.
Fernandez's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Felix Fernandez.
Bazanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fernandez's waist but Fernandez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bazanov off to one side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bazanov.

Fernandez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bazanov is working for takedown but Fernandez is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bazanov has Fernandez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fernandez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Fernandez manages to break the clinch.
Bazanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Bazanov gets the takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fernandez managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bazanov.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bazanov working away.
Bazanov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Fernandez defending against the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoly Bazanov dominated that round.
That's time! Bazanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fernandez scores with a jab to the body.
Fernandez fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bazanov is out of range.
Fernandez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bazanov defends well and Fernandez ends up having to push Bazanov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bazanov is working for takedown but Fernandez is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bazanov can't get the takedown.
Bazanov tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bazanov is looking for a takedown.
Bazanov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fernandez prevents the takedown attempt.
Bazanov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Fernandez breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Bazanov with that takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bazanov.
Anatoly Bazanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bazanov goes for a double leg but Fernandez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Fernandez continues to drive forward.
Fernandez stops a takedown attempt from Bazanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fernandez pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bazanov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fernandez gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Fernandez ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Fernandez no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Fernandez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fernandez is pulling down on Bazanov's head. It's preventing any offense from Bazanov, at least for the moment.
Fernandez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Anatoly Bazanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bazanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bazanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fernandez wants to stand but Bazanov is controlling the position.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez wants to sweep but no luck.
Bazanov throws a strike but Fernandez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Fernandez pushes down on Bazanov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Fernandez takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Fernandez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bazanov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fernandez works his way into full mount!
Bazanov is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov regains half guard.
Fernandez throwing shots but Bazanov is blocking nicely.
Bazanov wants to control but Fernandez is keeping busy.
Fernandez is trying to control the action in half guard but Bazanov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Fernandez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fernandez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fernandez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov trying to control but Fernandez postures up.
Fernandez wants to take a breather but Bazanov is having none of it.
Fernandez is thwarting Bazanov's attempts to control the position.
Fernandez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fernandez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bazanov defending well though.
Bazanov is looking to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Well, if Fernandez is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felix Fernandez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bazanov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Bazanov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Fernandez has his hands clasped together around Bazanov's back. He's all about the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bazanov with the ground and pound but Fernandez uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Bazanov throwing strikes from guard but Fernandez blocks nicely.
Fernandez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bazanov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez pulls Bazanov in close to prevent any damage.
Let's hope that Fernandez has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Bazanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fernandez controls Bazanov momentarily but Bazanov frees himself.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Felix Fernandez hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Bazanov keeps the fight on the outside.
Bazanov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Fernandez counters with a straight right hand.
Bazanov looks for a takedown but Fernandez sprawls well.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fernandez. Bazanov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Bazanov with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernandez cracks Bazanov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A clash of legs there as Bazanov blocks the low kick.
Bazanov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fernandez defends it nicely.
Fernandez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bazanov.
Bazanov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fernandez scores with a jab. Bazanov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bazanov tries for a takedown but Fernandez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bazanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fernandez's waist but Fernandez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bazanov off to one side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bazanov fails with the takedown
and Fernandez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bazanov slips a jab from Fernandez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov avoids a kick to the body.
Bazanov looks for a takedown but Fernandez sprawls well.
Bazanov misses with a takedown attempt

and Fernandez counters by clinching up.
Fernandez holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Fernandez has had enough of the clinch but Bazanov keeps him there for the moment.
Bazanov is working for takedown but Fernandez is calmly controlling the position for now.
Fernandez throws an elbow but it misses.
Bazanov wants a takedown but no success here.
Bazanov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Fernandez is defending well.
Bazanov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Fernandez after a bit of a struggle.
Bazanov being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov is trying to drag Fernandez to the mat but Fernandez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bazanov looking for a takedown.
Bazanov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Fernandez is defending well.

Fernandez has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Bazanov uses from the top position.
Fernandez seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bazanov won't allow Fernandez to get back to his feet.
Fernandez managing to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Felix Fernandez.
I think Fernandez 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Felix Fernandez!