PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timo Hartunnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Azhiev
vs
Hartunnen

177 cm
29
144 lbs
10 - 39 - 0

172 cm
27
144 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 39 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anzhor Azhiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Timo Hartunnen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hartunnen feints and as Azhiev raises his hands in defense, Hartunnen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Hartunnen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hartunnen is pushing down on Azhiev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Azhiev is fighting to maintain full guard but Hartunnen has managed to sneak the leg through.

Hartunnen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Azhiev is just riding it out for now. Hartunnen eventually gives up the hold.

Hartunnen is looking for a kimura but Azhiev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hartunnen to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Azhiev looking for submissions off his back.

Azhiev actively working from the bottom here.

Hartunnen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Azhiev defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Azhiev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hartunnen pulls his head out easily.
Azhiev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hartunnen.

Azhiev with the active half guard here but Hartunnen passes nicely into side control.

Hartunnen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Timo Hartunnen!
A relieved looking Timo Hartunnen thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
The defeated Anzhor Azhiev had this to say: 'I still want that title shot. Im the most experienced fighter here and everyday wants to see me smash the champ so lets do it whenever he starts ducking me.'.