PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Azevedo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Frank (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Azevedo comes to the cage accompanied by Puddle Of Mudd - Psycho . Frank has chosen Ball Game as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Tony Frank was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Azevedo
vs
Frank

179 cm
22
151 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

170 cm
22
160 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Master Lee's One Stop

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thiago Azevedo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tony Frank!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azevedo throws a sloppy head kick and Frank moves out of range easily.
Azevedo throws a head kick that Frank semi-blocks.
Azevedo throws a sloppy head kick and Frank moves out of range easily.
Azevedo lands a head kick!

Frank is rocked!
Frank chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Frank is still on wobbly legs! Can Azevedo finish him?
A big left from Frank misses.
A head kick misses from Azevedo.
Frank is looking to clinch but Azevedo is avoiding it.
Frank seems to have recovered his senses.
Frank avoids the head kick by Azevedo.
Frank misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Azevedo throws a jab but it's blocked by Frank.
Frank tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Azevedo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A clash of legs there as Azevedo blocks the low kick.
Frank misses with a straight right.
Azevedo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azevedo cracks Frank with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Azevedo misses with a head kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Frank misses the jab.
Azevedo lands with an uppercut that bounces Frank off the cage and back into range.
Frank blocks a head kick by Azevedo.
Azevedo throws a hook but Frank avoids it easily.
Azevedo's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Frank connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Azevedo scrambles back to his feet.
Frank misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Azevedo.
Thiago Azevedo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azevedo looks to land a combination but Frank avoids it well.
Frank uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Azevedo has time to react.

Frank pushes Azevedo up against the cage in a clinch.
Azevedo is trying to push Frank away but Frank has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Frank misses with a hook from the clinch.
Frank throws a head punch that misses.
Azevedo wants to break free but Frank has control.
A shot in the inside from Frank.
Azevedo takes a shot to the head.
Frank displaying some good clinch control by pressing Azevedo up against the cage.
Frank scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Frank just leaning against Azevedo, taking a breather.
Frank throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frank tries a body shot but Azevedo blocks it.
Azevedo tries to break free but Frank pushes him back against the cage.

Frank manages to break the clinch.
Frank pivots, looking for a leg kick but Azevedo is out of range and Frank settles back down.
Azevedo scores with a punch to the head.
Azevedo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A punch combination from Azevedo misses.
A slow jab from Frank misses its intended target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azevedo throws a right hand that Frank ducks under and follows up with a left that Frank also avoids with ease.
Azevedo stuffs the takedown attempt from Frank. Frank gets slowly back to his feet.
Frank blocks a head kick by Azevedo.
Azevedo looks to land a combination. Frank sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Frank looks to land a right hand but Azevedo moved out of range.
Azevedo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Frank throws a leg kick but Azevedo checks it.
Azevedo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Frank defending well as Azevedo loads up on a big left hand.
Frank is looking to clinch but Azevedo is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo misses with an uppercut.
Azevedo throws a head kick that misses.
Frank throws a series of punches but Azevedo moves out of range.
Frank connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Azevedo throws a half hearted mid kick.
Frank walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Azevedo misses with a head kick.
Frank missing with a left hand there. Azevedo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Frank avoids a punch combination nicely.
Frank shoots in and drives through. Azevedo sprawls well.
Frank scores with a punch to the head.
Frank moves out of range as Azevedo throws a body kick.
Frank misses with an uppercut.
Frank misses the jab.
Azevedo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Frank.
Nice sprawl there from Azevedo as Frank shoots in.
Thiago Azevedo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Frank.
Frank throws an overhand right that lands on Azevedo's shoulder, as Azevedo tries to avoid the shot.
Frank tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo throws a jab when Frank was well out of range.
Frank blocks a low kick nicely.
Azevedo tries a head kick but it misses.
Frank throws a head kick but Azevedo moves out of range.
Azevedo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Frank momentarily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azevedo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Azevedo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Frank.
Azevedo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Frank misses with a hook. Azevedo ducked under it nicely.
Azevedo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A jab from Frank misses.
Azevedo blocks a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Frank looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Azevedo moves out of range as Frank strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Azevedo staying out of range there.
Azevedo throws a good cross that connects.
Azevedo throws a head kick but Frank moves out of range.
Azevedo throws a sloppy head kick and Frank moves out of range easily.
Azevedo tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Azevedo throws a head kick but Frank moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Frank.
Frank swinging wildly here.
Thiago Azevedo is winning the standup battle so far.
Frank is looking to score with low kicks.
Frank throws a jab when Azevedo was well out of range.
Azevedo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Frank throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Frank tries to clinch there but Azevedo circles away.
Thiago Azevedo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Azevedo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Azevedo.
Azevedo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Frank is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Frank takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Azevedo scores with a hook.
Frank is looking to score with low kicks.
Azevedo moves out of range of the strikes.
Good exchange - Azevedo coming out on top.
Azevedo throws a jab but it's blocked by Frank.
Azevedo throws a nice head kick!
A head kick misses from Azevedo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frank lands with an uppercut that bounces Azevedo off the cage and back into range.
Sloppy strikes from Azevedo. Those never looked like landing.
Azevedo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Frank throws a jab when Azevedo was well out of range.
Azevedo ducks under a wild hook from Frank.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Azevedo tries a head kick but it misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Frank.
Frank takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Frank pivots, looking for a leg kick but Azevedo is out of range and Frank settles back down.
Frank slips under a jab from Azevedo.
Azevedo throws a head kick that misses.
Azevedo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Frank throws out the jab.
Frank ducks right into an uppercut from Azevedo.
Frank throws out a powerful jab.
Azevedo throws a right and a left that Frank avoids nicely.
Frank takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Frank is looking to clinch.
Azevedo connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Frank throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Azevedo's waist but Azevedo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Frank off to one side.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Frank misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo throws a head kick but Frank moves out of range.
Azevedo tries a head kick but it misses.
Frank will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Left hook, right uppercut from Azevedo.
Azevedo is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Azevedo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Frank tries to close the distance and clinch but Azevedo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Frank swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Azevedo blocks a head kick by Frank.

Frank looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Azevedo!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Frank tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Azevedo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Frank's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Frank thows a huge punch but Azevedo dodges it nicely.
Frank sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Azevedo defending well though.
Frank throwing shots but Azevedo is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo is pressing down on Frank's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Azevedo trying to keep a closed guard but Frank is proving a slippery customer.
Azevedo is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Azevedo keeping full guard, as Frank tries to pass.
Frank preventing the sweep.
Azevedo is trying to control the position but Frank postures up.

We're going to have a standup here because Thiago Azevedo wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Azevedo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Frank.
Frank slips under a jab from Azevedo.
Azevedo tries a head kick but it misses.
Azevedo misses with a head kick.
A big left from Frank misses.
Azevedo misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frank is looking to slow Azevedo down with leg kicks.
Azevedo throws a head kick but Frank moves out of range.
A big left from Frank misses.
Azevedo throws a head kick but Frank moves out of range.
Frank waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Azevedo.
Azevedo slips under a jab.
Frank lands a leg kick that knocks Azevedo off balance momentarily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Frank throws a push kick but Azevedo slaps the foot to one side.
A big right from Azevedo misses.
A big right from Azevedo misses.
Azevedo moves away from the strike by Frank.
Azevedo misses with a body kick.
Frank slips under a jab.
Azevedo gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Azevedo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Frank waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Azevedo.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Frank!

Azevedo gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Frank to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Azevedo is trying to control the position but Frank postures up.
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 Thiago Azevedo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Azevedo throws a head kick but Frank moves out of range.
Frank slips a straight right by Azevedo.
Azevedo throws a sloppy head kick and Frank moves out of range easily.
Azevedo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Frank.
Azevedo throws a sloppy head kick
and Frank cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Frank closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Azevedo to the mat! Azevedo manages to get full guard.
Frank stopping the sweep attempt from Azevedo.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Frank tries to stand but Azevedo is controlling from the bottom.
Frank looking to pass the guard.
Frank must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Azevedo is pulling down on Frank's head to control his posture.
Frank pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Azevedo is keeping the position for now.
Frank throwing strikes from guard but Azevedo blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo keeping moving, preventing Frank from controlling successfully.
Azevedo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Azevedo throws a head kick but Frank moves out of range.
Azevedo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Frank will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Frank closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Frank lands in his opponent's guard.
Frank preventing the sweep.
Azevedo keeping moving, preventing Frank from controlling successfully.
Frank stopping the sweep attempt from Azevedo.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Frank working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Frank pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Azevedo is keeping the position for now.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frank wants to control from the top but Azevedo keeps moving.
Frank looking to pass the guard.
Azevedo is trying to control the position but Frank postures up.
Frank wants to control from the top but Azevedo keeps moving.
Azevedo is trying to control the position but Frank postures up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Tony Frank wasn't active enough on the ground.
Azevedo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Azevedo cracks Frank with an open hand slap.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azevedo lands with a slapping head kick.
Azevedo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Frank displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Frank throws a nice outside leg kick.
Frank throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Azevedo scores with a one two! Frank had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frank fails to land with a series of punches.
Azevedo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Frank.
Azevedo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Frank.
Frank avoids the head kick by Azevedo.
Azevedo tries a head kick but it misses.
Frank avoids the head kick by Azevedo.

Frank moves into the clinch.

Azevedo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thiago Azevedo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Good leg kick by Frank there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Azevedo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Good work by Azevedo as he checks the leg kick.
Azevedo defending well as Frank loads up on a big left hand.
Azevedo misses with a head kick.
Frank throws a hook but Azevedo blocks it.
Azevedo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Frank moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo defending well as Frank loads up on a big left hand.
Azevedo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Frank throws a series of punches but Azevedo moves out of range.
Azevedo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Frank.

Frank gets a double leg takedown into Azevedo's guard.
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!
Azevedo trying to control the position here.
Azevedo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Frank manages to get himself to full guard.
Azevedo wants to control from the top but Frank keeps moving.
Frank is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Azevedo is controlling him.
Tony Frank has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Azevedo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Azevedo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Frank is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Frank comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Azevedo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!