PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sabed Azbuhlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katuro Tisoaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tisoaka is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Festivo. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Azbuhlev
vs
Tisoaka

172 cm
21
155 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

169 cm
23
169 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Powerful

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 5 - 5 - 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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Katuro Tisoaka!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azbuhlev throws a right hand that Tisoaka ducks under and follows up with a left that Tisoaka also avoids with ease.

Azbuhlev drives through with a takedown into guard.
Azbuhlev stops Tisoaka from standing up.
Azbuhlev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Tisoaka manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the ropes.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tisoaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tisoaka told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Azbuhlev misses with some punches.
Tisoaka dodges an elbow strike from Azbuhlev.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tisoaka as Azbuhlev tries to tie him up.
Azbuhlev misses with an elbow over the top.
Azbuhlev working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tisoaka tries to circle away but Azbuhlev has him pinned against the ropes.
Azbuhlev looking to stall.
Tisoaka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Azbuhlev prevents it.
Tisoaka is trying to pull guard but Azbuhlev has him pressed against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Azbuhlev.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Azbuhlev.
Tisoaka missing with knees to the body.
Tisoaka wants to break free but Azbuhlev has control.
Tisoaka tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sabed Azbuhlev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Katuro Tisoaka.

Tisoaka decides to pull guard.
Tisoaka is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Azbuhlev is not content to let Tisoaka control the position.
Tisoaka is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Azbuhlev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tisoaka is looking to take a break and control but Azbuhlev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Azbuhlev gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tisoaka postures up.
Tisoaka throws a big right hand that misses.

Tisoaka drops back, looking for a kneebar! Azbuhlev looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Azbuhlev looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Azbuhlev!

Tisoaka pushes Azbuhlev away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Azbuhlev gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Tisoaka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tisoaka is looking to regain half guard here but Azbuhlev keeps moving and retains side control.
Tisoaka manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
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!

Tisoaka wants to work for an arm triangle but Azbuhlev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Azbuhlev is refusing to be controlled, as Tisoaka sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azbuhlev tries to roll over but Tisoaka keeps him under control.
Tisoaka throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Azbuhlev to regain full guard.
Azbuhlev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tisoaka is controlling him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tisoaka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Azbuhlev is trying to control the position but Tisoaka postures up.
Tisoaka throws a big elbow that misses.
Tisoaka tries to free his leg and advance position but Azbuhlev is retaining full guard.
Tisoaka postures up in Azbuhlev's guard and throws a big left but Azbuhlev blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Tisoaka postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Azbuhlev is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tisoaka, into his guard.

The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Azbuhlev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tisoaka's head.

Tisoaka looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Azbuhlev trying to control but Tisoaka is working from the bottom.
Azbuhlev throwing strikes from guard but Tisoaka blocks nicely.
Tisoaka has a closed guard, preventing Azbuhlev from standing up.
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.
That's time! Back to the action!

Azbuhlev pushes Tisoaka up against the ropes in a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Tisoaka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tisoaka blocks an elbow strike.
Tisoaka takes an elbow to the temple.
Azbuhlev misses with an elbow strike.
Tisoaka wants to take the fight to the mat but Azbuhlev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Azbuhlev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Azbuhlev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tisoaka fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Tisoaka turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Tisoaka manages to end up in side control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Tisoaka tries to score with some ground and pound. Azbuhlev controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Tisoaka postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Tisoaka lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Tisoaka goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Azbuhlev rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Tisoaka's guard! Nice work there by Azbuhlev!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tisoaka is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Azbuhlev controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tisoaka is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Tisoaka looking for subs off his back but Azbuhlev has passed one foot through into half guard.
Azbuhlev is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Tisoaka!

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.
Tisoaka is in all sorts of trouble here.
Katuro Tisoaka has got the better of the ground game so far.
Azbuhlev controlling his opponent.
Azbuhlev is looking to stand but Tisoaka has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Tisoaka looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Tisoaka is trying to break free.

Tisoaka is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Azbuhlev doesn't have the hooks in and Tisoaka manages to turn into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tisoaka throws a strike but Azbuhlev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Azbuhlev trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tisoaka's guard.

Tisoaka escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Azbuhlev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tisoaka controls Azbuhlev momentarily but Azbuhlev frees himself.
Azbuhlev trying to control the position from guard on top but Tisoaka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tisoaka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Azbuhlev wanted to stand there but Tisoaka had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tisoaka is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tisoaka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Azbuhlev advances position into side control!

Azbuhlev stands up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tisoaka scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Tisoaka postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
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 Sabed Azbuhlev will probably get the nod.
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!

Azbuhlev darts in and clinches Tisoaka up against the ropes.
Azbuhlev is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Azbuhlev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tisoaka backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Tisoaka gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Tisoaka throws a strike but Azbuhlev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Tisoaka is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Azbuhlev is aware though and is defending well.
Tisoaka trying to keep a closed guard but Azbuhlev is proving a slippery customer.
Azbuhlev wanted to stand there but Tisoaka had control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azbuhlev wants to control from the top but Tisoaka keeps moving.

Tisoaka looking for a guillotine here but Azbuhlev defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azbuhlev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Azbuhlev trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tisoaka's guard.

Tisoaka working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Azbuhlev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Azbuhlev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tisoaka is on top in guard.

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 has his foot on Tisoaka's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tisoaka works his way back into a safe position though.
Tisoaka trying to control the position from guard on top but Azbuhlev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tisoaka is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Azbuhlev is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Azbuhlev has escaped and now he's on top!

Azbuhlev is looking to stand up but Tisoaka won't let him.
Tisoaka is trying to control the position but Azbuhlev postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azbuhlev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tisoaka swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Azbuhlev is working hard here to advance position.
Tisoaka looking to control.
Azbuhlev wants to control from the top but Tisoaka keeps moving.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Tisoaka wants to sweep here but Azbuhlev controlling him for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tisoaka throws a jab when Azbuhlev was well out of range.
Azbuhlev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Azbuhlev with a hook.
Katuro Tisoaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azbuhlev misses with a double jab.
Tisoaka drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Azbuhlev defends it well.
Azbuhlev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tisoaka defends well and Azbuhlev ends up having to push Tisoaka into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Tisoaka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tisoaka wants to clinch up but Azbuhlev keeps it at a distance.
Azbuhlev misses with the combination.
Tisoaka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tisoaka goes for a double leg but Azbuhlev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Azbuhlev continues to drive forward.
Azbuhlev went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Tisoaka doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Azbuhlev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tisoaka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tisoaka moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Sabed Azbuhlev has been cut.
Tisoaka avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tisoaka drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Azbuhlev defends it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sabed Azbuhlev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Azbuhlev, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Sabed Azbuhlev!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Sabed Azbuhlev!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Sabed Azbuhlev!

Sabed Azbuhlev wins by unanimous decision!
After the fight, Sabed Azbuhlev was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.