PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mamed Gasanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Azad Azeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gasanov
vs
Azeem

173 cm
25
154 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

167 cm
25
151 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mamed Gasanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Azad Azeem!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gasanov loads up on a big right hand but Azeem slips the punch.
Gasanov scores with a body shot.
Gasanov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gasanov moves out of range of the leg kick from Azeem.
Gasanov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cozad MMA St Petersburg in the buildup to the fight.
Gasanov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

It looks like Azad Azeem has been cut.
Gasanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Azeem.
Azeem fails in his attempt to clinch.
Azeem looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The fighters circling - Gasanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gasanov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Azeem is fending him off so far but Gasanov persists. Nope, Azeem circles away and we're back to standing.
Gasanov throws a series of punches but Azeem moves out of range.
As Gasanov backs off Azeem throws a huge counter combo but Gasanov manages to avoid it all.
Gasanov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Azeem counters with a three punch combo that has Gasanov backing up. Gasanov nods at Azeem to acknowledge the strikes.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gasanov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
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!
Some wild striking there from Gasanov.
Azeem misses with a double jab.
Gasanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gasanov misses with a straight right.
Azeem uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gasanov.
Azeem wants to counter with a clinch but Gasanov pushes him away.
Gasanov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Despite the aggression on Azeem's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Gasanov misses with a double jab.
Gasanov is breathing heavily.
Azeem lets loose with a powerful body kick. Gasanov will feel that in the morning.
Azeem takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Azeem tries to bum rush Gasanov with a series of wild strikes but Gasanov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gasanov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Azeem darts in looking for a takedown but Gasanov gets double underhooks and turns Azeem into the cage.
Azeem avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gasanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Azeem was well out of range. Poor timing from Gasanov.
Mamed Gasanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azeem walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice cross by Azeem.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Azeem!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gasanov misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Gasanov as Azeem shoots in.
A punch combination from Gasanov misses.
Gasanov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Azeem looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gasanov throws a combination that misses

and Azeem counters by moving into the clinch.
Azeem throws a punch but it's blocked by Gasanov.
Gasanov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gasanov is trying to push Azeem away but Azeem has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Azeem wants to break the clinch but can't.
Azeem is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azeem lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Azeem is trying to drag Gasanov to the mat but Gasanov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mamed Gasanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Azad Azeem.

Gasanov breaks the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Azeem. Those never looked like landing.

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.
Gasanov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Azeem's head.

Gasanov rushes Azeem and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Gasanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gasanov misses with a hook.
Azeem goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Azeem stalks Gasanov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gasanov's face. Gasanov staggers backwards, shaken.
Azeem throws a series of strikes that have Gasanov backpedaling.
Some wild striking there from Gasanov.
Gasanov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gasanov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gasanov misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Gasanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Azad Azeem's cut.
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.

Azeem lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gasanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Gasanov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Mamed Gasanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gasanov throws a leg kick but Azeem moved away.
Gasanov misses with a double jab.
Gasanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Azeem.
Azeem feints a jab promting Gasanov to slip. Azeem then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Gasanov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
No joy there for Azeem, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gasanov scores with a hook to the body. Azeem takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gasanov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Azeem. Azeem circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azeem takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gasanov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Azeem throws a counter combo.
Gasanov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Azeem wants to counter the offense by Gasanov and move into the clinch position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Azeem lands a right hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gasanov moves into range and clinches up with Azeem.
Azeem has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gasanov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gasanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Azeem can do to turn this around?
Azeem is trying to force a seperation but Gasanov has the dominant position.
Gasanov can't break the clinch.
Azeem trying to land knees to the body.
Gasanov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gasanov is trying to break the clinch but Azeem is controlling him.

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.
Azeem goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gasanov prevents it.
Gasanov tries to circle away but Azeem has him pinned against the cage.
Azeem lands a nice knee to the body.
Azeem lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gasanov backwards.

Gasanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Azeem lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Azeem will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gasanov fails to land with a series of punches.
Gasanov throws a combination. Azeem tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Azeem uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gasanov.
Azeem misses with the combination.
Gasanov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gasanov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gasanov throws a nice looking combination but Azeem bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Azeem slips a jab from Gasanov.
Jab by Gasanov.
Gasanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Azeem moves away.
Azeem's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Azeem duly obliges.
Gasanov fails in his attempt to clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azeem throws a low kick, looking for Gasanov's leg but Gasanov calmly moves out of range.

Azeem pushes Gasanov up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azeem swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gasanov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Azeem swings wildly with an uppercut but Gasanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gasanov tries for a takedown but Azeem manages to get underhooks.
Good body shot from Azeem.
Nice body punch from Azeem.

Gasanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
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 Mamed Gasanov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Azad Azeem's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Azeem throws a shot to the body.
Azeem connects with a solid leg kick.
Azeem dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gasanov. That did some damage!
Good leg kick by Gasanov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A right-left combo lands from Gasanov.

Azeem rushes Gasanov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gasanov is trying to break the clinch but Azeem is controlling him.
Gasanov wants to get back to striking at distance but Azeem won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azeem goes for a takedown attempt but Gasanov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gasanov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Azeem blocks a leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Gasanov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Gasanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gasanov throws a lazy right hand but Azeem sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Azeem gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Azeem slips under a jab.
Gasanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Azeem.
Azeem staying out of range there.
Azeem moves in looking to clinch but Gasanov pushes him off.
Gasanov misses with a combination
and Azeem counters with a straight right hand.
Gasanov feints a jab promting Azeem to slip. Gasanov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Azeem slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Azeem moves in looking to clinch but Gasanov pushes him off.
A nice inside leg kick there by Azeem. That's going to slow Gasanov down.
Azeem lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gasanov circles away quickly and effectively.

Azeem closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Azeem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gasanov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azeem missing with knees to the body.
Gasanov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Gasanov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Azeem connects with a right hand. Gasanov shakes it off.
Gasanov throws a leg kick but Azeem sees it coming and moves out of range.
Azeem unleashes a big counter combination but Gasanov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Azad Azeem has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A jab lands there for Gasanov.

Azeem fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gasanov to the ground. Azeem is now in Gasanov's guard.
Gasanov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azeem postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gasanov trying to control the position here.
Azeem trying to control but Gasanov is working from the bottom.
Azeem looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gasanov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mamed Gasanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gasanov throws a nice looking combination but Azeem bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mamed Gasanov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gasanov, 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mamed Gasanov!