PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sabed Azbuhlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Azbuhlev
vs
Ward

172 cm
19
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

174 cm
28
155 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sabed Azbuhlev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kyle Ward!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azbuhlev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ward.
Azbuhlev misses with a leg kick.
Ward looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Ward feints and as Azbuhlev raises his hands in defense, Ward changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Azbuhlev is trying to keep Ward in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ward throwing strikes from guard but Azbuhlev blocks nicely.
Azbuhlev looking for a sweep. Not yet Azbuhlev, not yet.
Ward scoring with some ground and pound.
Ward loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Azbuhlev is trying to keep Ward in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward throws a strike but Azbuhlev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ward managing to control the position.
We've been hearing that Azbuhlev has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Azbuhlev not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azbuhlev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Azbuhlev trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Azbuhlev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Azbuhlev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.
Azbuhlev wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Azbuhlev throws a big right hand that misses.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Azbuhlev gets caught napping as Ward dives in and scores a takedown. Azbuhlev manages to retain guard.
Azbuhlev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ward manages to get himself to full guard.

Azbuhlev sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ward's guard.
Azbuhlev thows a huge punch but Ward dodges it nicely.
Azbuhlev trying to control the action but Ward is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azbuhlev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Azbuhlev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ward pushes Azbuhlev off looking to stand but Azbuhlev dives back in and keeps control.
Azbuhlev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ward is not content to let Azbuhlev control the position.

Azbuhlev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ward sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Azbuhlev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ward keeping hold of Azbuhlev's head, controlling as best he can.
Azbuhlev trying to control from half guard but Ward is working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ward blocking the ground and pound attempt from Azbuhlev.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the 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 Sabed Azbuhlev will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ward fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Azbuhlev avoids it really well and circles away.
Azbuhlev throws a low kick but Ward avoids it.
Ward steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Azbuhlev.
Azbuhlev dives in for a single leg takedown but Ward sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Ward turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Ward manages to end up in side control.
Azbuhlev sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Azbuhlev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ward pulls his head out easily.
Azbuhlev manages to get to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward stopping the sweep attempt from Azbuhlev.
Ward postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ward stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Azbuhlev throws up his legs and catches Ward in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Ward tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Azbuhlev! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:23 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Sabed Azbuhlev!
Sabed Azbuhlev decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.