PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Toghrul Asgarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edu Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Asgarov
vs
Alvarez

172 cm
19
143 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
168 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Intelligent

Soul Supremacy Nutrition (90% laundry)
Bellum Dominum

The Knot

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Toghrul Asgarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Edu Alvarez!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Fedor Mirinova and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asgarov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Alvarez.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Alvarez.

Asgarov tries to sprawl but Alvarez drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Asgarov is trying to get back to full guard.
Asgarov is trying to stand back up but Alvarez is controlling him

Alvarez is working for a submission of some sort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez trying to control the action but Asgarov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asgarov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Alvarez on the ground.
Alvarez wants to pass to mount but Asgarov is defending the position.
Asgarov is trying to stand back up but Alvarez is controlling him
Alvarez is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Asgarov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Alvarez circles away.
Alvarez has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Alvarez has a takedown stuffed.
A looping hook to the body misses from Asgarov. Alvarez does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nice sprawl there from Asgarov as Alvarez shoots in.
Toghrul Asgarov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edu Alvarez.
Alvarez keeps the fight on the outside.
Alvarez shoots in for a takedown but Asgarov shows good takedown defense.
Asgarov throws a hook but Alvarez blocks it.
Asgarov tries to clinch but Alvarez moves out of range.

Asgarov shoots in and bounces Alvarez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Asgarov preventing the sweep.
Asgarov connects with a couple of short punches.
Asgarov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Asgarov stands and throws Alvarez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Asgarov is working Alvarez over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Alvarez managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Asgarov.
The strikes coming from Asgarov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Alvarez is looking for a sweep.
Alvarez is still trying to improve position.
Asgarov controls the position.
Asgarov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Alvarez is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Asgarov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Asgarov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Asgarov working the strikes but Alvarez uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Asgarov is stalling here. Alvarez is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Asgarov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Alvarez has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

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

Alvarez tries for a kimura but Asgarov is defending well.
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 Toghrul Asgarov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Asgarov goes for a double leg but Alvarez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Alvarez continues to drive forward.

Asgarov turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Asgarov manages to end up in side control.
Asgarov wants to control for a moment but Alvarez uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Asgarov throwing shots but Alvarez is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez is looking to improve his position.
Alvarez wants to control but Asgarov is keeping busy.
Alvarez is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Asgarov.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing Asgarov from controlling successfully.
Asgarov stands up over Alvarez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Asgarov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alvarez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Asgarov controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Asgarov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The fight stays on the outside here - Asgarov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Asgarov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Alvarez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Asgarov swivels and escapes.

Asgarov pushes Alvarez up against the cage in a clinch.
Alvarez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Asgarov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Asgarov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Alvarez is defending well.
Alvarez is working for takedown but Asgarov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Toghrul Asgarov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edu Alvarez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asgarov tries to score a body lock takedown but Alvarez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Asgarov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Alvarez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Alvarez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Asgarov after a bit of a struggle.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Asgarov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Alvarez stops a takedown attempt from Asgarov.
Alvarez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Asgarov is defending well.
I was talking to Asgarov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Alvarez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Asgarov after a bit of a struggle.
Alvarez wants to take the fight to the mat but Asgarov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Alvarez prevents a takedown attempt there.
Asgarov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Alvarez is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Alvarez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Asgarov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Asgarov wants to take the fight to the mat but Alvarez manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Alvarez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Asgarov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alvarez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Asgarov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Asgarov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Asgarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Alvarez is looking for a triangle but Asgarov pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toghrul Asgarov dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Asgarov.
Asgarov tries to clinch up.
Alvarez has his takedown stuffed

and Asgarov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Asgarov wants to advance to full mount but Alvarez doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Asgarov trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asgarov throws a strike but Alvarez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Asgarov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asgarov looking for a sweep. Not yet Asgarov, not yet.
Alvarez tries to free his leg and advance position but Asgarov is retaining full guard.
Alvarez keeps trying to improve his position.
Alvarez won't allow Asgarov to sweep him here.
Asgarov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alvarez can do to turn this around?
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Asgarov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alvarez won't allow Asgarov to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Alvarez tries to free his leg and advance position but Asgarov is retaining full guard.
Alvarez stops Asgarov from standing up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Asgarov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A punch combination from Asgarov misses.
Alvarez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Asgarov throws a right and a left that Alvarez avoids nicely.
Asgarov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Alvarez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Asgarov is fending him off so far but Alvarez persists. Nope, Asgarov circles away and we're back to standing.
Toghrul Asgarov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edu Alvarez.
Nice sprawl there from Asgarov as Alvarez shoots in.
Alvarez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Asgarov counters with a shoot takedown. Alvarez fights it but they end up in guard.
Alvarez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asgarov scoring with some ground and pound.
Asgarov postures up in Alvarez's guard and throws a big left but Alvarez blocks it.
Asgarov pushing down on Alvarez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Asgarov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Asgarov is looking to take a break and control but Alvarez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Toghrul Asgarov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Asgarov stalling away here and it's allowed Alvarez to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Asgarov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Alvarez is trying to keep Asgarov in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Alvarez has momentary wrist control but Asgarov slips an elbow through the middle.
Alvarez is adopting a defensive guard.
Asgarov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Edu Alvarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Toghrul Asgarov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Toghrul Asgarov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alvarez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toghrul Asgarov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Asgarov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toghrul Asgarov!
After winning the bout, Toghrul Asgarov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.