PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ahmed Babilon Mamed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Azhiev
vs
Babilon Mamed

177 cm
32
144 lbs
15 - 46 - 0

175 cm
27
140 lbs
7 - 19 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 15 - 46 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anzhor Azhiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ahmed Babilon Mamed!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Azhiev scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Mamed looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Azhiev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mamed doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Azhiev.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mamed defends it well.

Azhiev seems to be looking for submissions.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Azhiev is trying to work for a kimura but Mamed is defending well.

Azhiev is working for a kimura but Mamed is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azhiev is working for a kimura but Mamed is defending it quite comfortably.
Mamed tries to get to full guard but Azhiev has control of the leg.
Mamed has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Azhiev is working away from the top position though.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mamed defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Mamed still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Mamed has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Azhiev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Azhiev is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Mamed off and has taken his back!

Mamed preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Azhiev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Mamed has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Azhiev is looking for the choke from the back position but Mamed is controlling his hands well.
Azhiev doesn't have the hooks in and Mamed manages to turn into his guard.
Mamed is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Azhiev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mamed defends it easily.

Azhiev looking for a guillotine here but Mamed defends easily.

Azhiev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mamed doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mamed manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mamed slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Azhiev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Azhiev working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Mamed has passed into half guard!
Azhiev is refusing to be controlled, as Mamed sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anzhor Azhiev dominated that 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.

Mamed shoots in but no luck this time.

Azhiev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mamed looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Mamed is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Azhiev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Azhiev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Azhiev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mamed doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Azhiev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura but Mamed is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Azhiev to get the leverage.
Mamed is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azhiev is trying to work for a kimura but Mamed is defending well.

Azhiev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mamed is just riding it out for now. Azhiev eventually gives up the hold.
Azhiev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mamed can do to turn this around?

Mamed is defending against the submission attempts here by Azhiev.
Mamed is trying is best to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two 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.

Mamed makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Mamed gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Azhiev to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Azhiev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mamed swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mamed working a defensive guard here.

Azhiev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Azhiev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Mamed wants to sweep but no luck.
Anzhor Azhiev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mamed dives on top into guard.

Azhiev is looking for a triangle but Mamed pushes his legs off easily.

Azhiev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mamed defends well.

Azhiev looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Mamed is defending well. Azhiev quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Mamed has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Azhiev celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Anzhor Azhiev!
A determined Anzhor Azhiev didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!