PBP Commentary

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

Photirat
vs
Azhiev

171 cm
28
159 lbs
8 - 19 - 0

177 cm
27
154 lbs
9 - 31 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yodthanong Photirat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 31 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anzhor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Photirat darts in and clinches Azhiev up against the cage.

Photirat escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Photirat as he avoids it easily.
Azhiev fails to land the takedown.
Azhiev dodges the punch combination from Photirat.
A punch combination from Photirat misses.
Nice sprawl there from Photirat as Azhiev shoots in.
Yodthanong Photirat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Photirat fails to land with a series of punches.
Photirat stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Photirat wants it to stay on the feet.
Photirat fails to land with a series of punches.
Azhiev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Photirat's waist but Photirat gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Azhiev off to one side.
Photirat throws a head kick but Azhiev moves out of range.
Photirat looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Photirat misses with a wild combination.
Azhiev shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhiev tries for a takedown but Photirat circles away easily
enabling Photirat to counter with a crisp jab.
Azhiev fails with the takedown

and Photirat holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Photirat lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Photirat manages to break the clinch.
Azhiev has a takedown stuffed.
Azhiev fails with a takedown attempt.
Photirat pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Azhiev back to the cage. Photirat follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Photirat throws a series of punches but Azhiev avoids them all with ease.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Azhiev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Azhiev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Photirat, who protects the arm well.

Azhiev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Azhiev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Photirat, who protects the arm well.

Azhiev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Photirat is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Photirat is working hard here to advance position.

Azhiev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Photirat is looking to reverse the position.

Azhiev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Photirat is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev tries for a kimura but Photirat is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Azhiev has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Photirat is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Azhiev yanks on the arm and Photirat is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Azhiev.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). 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!'