PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Azevedo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tetsuya Tate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Azevedo comes to the cage accompanied by Puddle Of Mudd - Psycho . Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Tetsuya Tate enters the cage!

Azevedo
vs
Tate

179 cm
26
151 lbs
9 - 8 - 1

183 cm
24
165 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 9 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thiago Azevedo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tetsuya Tate!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Vladimir Khabensky and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Tate.
Tate feints the counter takedown.
Tate keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Azevedo.
Tate blocks a head kick by Azevedo.
A low kick from Azevedo is predictable there
enabling Tate to counter with a crisp jab.

Tate looking to score a takedown here. Azevedo is defending well but Tate drives through and ends up in Azevedo's guard.
Tate being controlled here momentarily.
Tate sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Azevedo managing to control the position.
Azevedo looking for a sweep. Not yet Azevedo, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate passes Azevedo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tate is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Azevedo tries to get to full guard but Tate has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate content to control rather than advance.
Tate is thwarting Azevedo's attempts to control the position.
Azevedo pushes Tate off looking to stand but Tate dives back in and keeps control.
Tate is keen to just control but Azevedo is a slippery customer.
Tate is thwarting Azevedo's attempts to control the position.
Tate is looking to take a break and control but Azevedo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Azevedo is controlling Tate's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Azevedo is refusing to be controlled, as Tate sits in half guard.
Azevedo is trying is best to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Thiago Azevedo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

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.
Azevedo tries to bum rush Tate with a series of wild strikes but Tate uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tate.
Azevedo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good exchange - Azevedo coming out on top.

It looks like Tetsuya Tate has been cut.
Azevedo connects with a solid leg kick.
Tate closes this distance looking for a takedown but Azevedo circles away.
Azevedo throws a counter high kick but Tate was just alert enough to avoid it.
Tate shoots in for a double leg but Azevedo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Thiago Azevedo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tetsuya Tate.
Tate has a takedown stuffed.
A counter left hand to the body from Azevedo misses its target.
Azevedo connects with a leg kick. Tate looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Azevedo lands a jab to Tate's midsection.
Tate fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A nice inside leg kick there by Azevedo. That's going to slow Tate down.
Tate blocks a jab.
Tate tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Jab by Azevedo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate checks a low kick from Azevedo.
Azevedo connects with a body shot that sends Tate's belly button to the back.
No luck for Tate with that takedown attempt.
Azevedo throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Azevedo misses with a two punch combination.
Azevedo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Azevedo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Azevedo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Tate's sensitive parts.
Azevedo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tate is trying hard to land a takedown here. Azevedo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Azevedo walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tate checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tate fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tate goes for a double leg but Azevedo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Azevedo continues to drive forward.
Thiago Azevedo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azevedo lands with a thumping leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tate.
Tate fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Azevedo avoids it really well and circles away.
Tate dives in and grabs Azevedo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Azevedo pushes down on Tate's head and hops out.

Tate gets a takedown into half guard.
Azevedo tries to get to full guard but Tate has control of the leg.
Tate performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Tate wants to lay and pray for a moment but Azevedo keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Azevedo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tetsuya Tate's cut.
That's time! Azevedo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tate dives in and grabs Azevedo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Azevedo pushes down on Tate's head and hops out.
Azevedo feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Tate checks a low kick from Azevedo.
Azevedo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tate. That did some damage!
Tate stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Azevedo.
Tate on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Azevedo. Azevedo obviously looking to wear him down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Azevedo.
Tate dives in for a single leg takedown but Azevedo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Azevedo throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Azevedo connects with a leg kick. Tate looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Azevedo lands a leg kick that knocks Tate off balance momentarily.
Nice sprawl there from Azevedo as Tate shoots in.
Thiago Azevedo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tetsuya Tate.

Tate drives through with a takedown into Azevedo's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tate showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Azevedo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tate's guard.

Tate wants to sweep here but Azevedo controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate is pulling down on Azevedo's head. It's preventing any offense from Azevedo, at least for the moment.
Azevedo stopping the sweep attempt from Tate.
Tate not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tetsuya Tate has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tate trying to control the position here.
Azevedo content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tate manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Azevedo manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two 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.
Azevedo has control of Tate's left arm, preventing Tate from doing any damage.
We've been hearing good reports from Azevedo's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Tate trying to control the position from guard on top but Azevedo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Azevedo pulls Tate in to control the position.
Tate trying to control the position from guard on top but Azevedo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tate won't allow Azevedo to sweep him here.
Tate wants to control from the top but Azevedo keeps moving.
Azevedo has Tate pulled in close to control his posture.
Azevedo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate trying to control but Azevedo is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Azevedo throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tate.
Tate shoots in looking for a takedown but Azevedo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tate's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Tate shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Azevedo keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Tate is looking to take a break and control but Azevedo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Azevedo is trying to get back to full guard.
Tate wants to control but Azevedo is keeping him busy.
Azevedo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tate is working away from the top position though.
Azevedo is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Tate stalling.
Azevedo is holding on to half guard well.
Azevedo tries to roll over but Tate keeps him under control.
Still in half guard, Tate seems content to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tate is keen to just control but Azevedo is a slippery customer.
Tate is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
My spies in St Petersburg MMA Gym inform me that Tate has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Tate looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Azevedo is positioning himself well to prevent Tate advancing to mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
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 Thiago Azevedo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tetsuya Tate's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A nice inside leg kick there by Azevedo. That's going to slow Tate down.
Azevedo swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tate uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Azevedo.
Azevedo pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tate is out of range and Azevedo settles back down.
And Tate tries to counter it with a takedown but Azevedo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tate will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Azevedo feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Azevedo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tate can do to turn this around?
Azevedo catches Tate with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Azevedo finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Azevedo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Tate fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Azevedo to the ground. Tate is now in Azevedo's guard.
Azevedo has control of Tate's left arm, preventing Tate from doing any damage.
Azevedo trying to control the position.
Azevedo wants to sweep here but Tate controlling him for the moment.
Azevedo has his hands on Tate's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Tate trying to control the position from guard on top but Azevedo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Azevedo being controlled here, momentarily.
Azevedo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Azevedo pulls Tate in to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Azevedo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Thiago Azevedo is winning the standup battle so far.
A cross from Azevedo lands.
Azevedo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Azevedo misses with a low kick.
Tate feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tate slips under a jab from Azevedo.
Tate has a takedown stuffed.
Nice takedown defense from Azevedo. No joy for Tate on that attempt.
Thiago Azevedo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tetsuya Tate.
Azevedo throws the kick towards the body but Tate avoids it.
Tate shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Azevedo defends it nicely.
A combination from Azevedo does no damage.
Azevedo throws a head kick that misses.
Tate tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tate.
Azevedo wants to slow Tate down by chopping away at his legs.
Tate's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tate misses with a takedown attempt - Azevedo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tetsuya Tate is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tate doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Azevedo counters with a nice body shot.
Tate takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tate manages to avoid it.
Tate unleashes a big counter combination but Azevedo bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Azevedo swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tate.
Tate looks for a takedown but Azevedo sprawls well.
Azevedo throws a head kick that half lands.
Azevedo tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tate shoots in for a takedown but Azevedo shows good takedown defense.
Azevedo throws a leg kick that misses.
Azevedo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Azevedo just misses with a punch to the body.
And Tate tries to counter it with a takedown but Azevedo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tate has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Azevedo.
Nice takedown defense from Azevedo. No joy for Tate on that attempt.
A combination from Azevedo does no damage.
The fighters circling - Azevedo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tate moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Azevedo will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A leg kick checked by Tate.
Azevedo misses with a leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azevedo wants to slow Tate down by chopping away at his legs.
Azevedo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tate fails with a takedown attempt.
Azevedo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Azevedo fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Tate is out of range.
Tate misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tetsuya Tate has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thiago Azevedo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Azevedo throws a nice head kick!

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Azevedo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Azevedo, 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Azevedo!
Thiago Azevedo really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Fury Nutrition Inc. logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.