PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Takashi Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takashi Yamamoto had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Yamamoto
vs
Azhiev

170 cm
35
140 lbs
6 - 11 - 0

177 cm
29
144 lbs
11 - 40 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 6 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Takashi Yamamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 40 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anzhor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamamoto leaves Azhiev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Yamamoto throws a big counter combination but Azhiev scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Yamamoto moves into the clinch.

Azhiev jumps 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.

Azhiev has his foot on Yamamoto's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yamamoto works his way back into a safe position though.

Azhiev working for a triangle but Yamamoto defends it easily.
Azhiev has a closed guard, preventing Yamamoto from standing up.
Azhiev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Azhiev looking for subs off his back but Yamamoto has passed one foot through into half guard.

Azhiev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Yamamoto sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yamamoto decides to return to a standing position.

Azhiev drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Yamamoto is looking for a sweep.

Azhiev is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Yamamoto knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Azhiev is trying to get an arm triangle but Yamamoto is defending well.

Azhiev swings around for an armbar but Yamamoto sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Azhiev's guard.

Azhiev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Yamamoto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto wanted to stand there but Azhiev had control of the position.
Azhiev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Yamamoto.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yamamoto wants to get up but he can't break Azhiev's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Azhiev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yamamoto is aware though and is defending well.
Yamamoto is looking to stand up but Azhiev won't let him.

Azhiev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yamamoto defends it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Azhiev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Azhiev is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Yamamoto frees his head nicely. Oh but Azhiev has switched to an armbar! Yamamoto is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Anzhor Azhiev!
Anzhor Azhiev took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.