PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Altair Brain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marat Gafurov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brain comes to the cage accompanied by 300 Violin. The key to victory for Altair Brain has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Brain
vs
Gafurov

182 cm
20
162 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

175 cm
26
154 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

KAISER
Spartan Nutrition

Mohito Fightwear
GREEN!160

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Altair Brain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marat Gafurov!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brain lands a really nice looking cross but Gafurov seems unphased.
A jab from Brain misses.
Brain throws a lazy head kick

and Gafurov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Brain is staying active underneath Gafurov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gafurov wants to pass the guard but Brain is defending well.
Brain desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Gafurov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Brain does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gafurov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Brain knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gafurov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Brain is looking to control Gafurov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Brain avoid being mounted?
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Gafurov is looking for a kimura but Brain is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gafurov to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gafurov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Brain keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gafurov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Brain counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Altair Brain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Brain throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Gafurov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Brain!

Brain throws Gafurov to one side and escapes!
Altair Brain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gafurov cracks Brain with a right hand to the side of the head.
Brain throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Brain pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A head kick by Brain misses

and Gafurov counters with a takedown into side control.

Brain explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
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!
Gafurov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Brain moves away.
Brain is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brain swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gafurov feints the counter takedown.
Brain throws the left hand but Gafurov avoids the punch easily.
Brain throws a nice inside leg kick.
Brain bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Brain throws a jab when Gafurov was well out of range.
Gafurov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Brain lands a slapping body shot.
Brain takes a swing at Gafurov's ribcage but misses.
Gafurov shoots in for a takedown but Brain shows good takedown defense.
Brain swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Gafurov lands a body shot.
Brain bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gafurov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brain throws a looping overhand right but Gafurov ducks down to avoid it.
Brain throws a series of punches but Gafurov avoids them all with ease.
Gafurov takes a swing at Brain's ribcage but misses.
Brain throws a low kick but Gafurov moves out of range easily.
Gafurov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Brain buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gafurov with a poor takedown
and Brain connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Altair Brain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marat Gafurov.
Brain tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gafurov was well out of range. Poor timing from Brain.
Brain with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Brain throws a body punch but Gafurov moves out of range.
Brain cracks the inside of Gafurov's front leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brain fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Brain ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gafurov moves away.
Brain lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gafurov just misses with a punch to the body.
Gafurov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
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!
Brain looks to score with a jab to the body but Gafurov is just out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Gafurov. Those never looked like landing.
Brain is looking to counter punch.

Gafurov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Brain wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Gafurov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Brain is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Altair Brain dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gafurov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Brain fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Brain throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Brain misses with a head kick.
Gafurov tries for a takedown but Brain sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gafurov avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brain takes a swing at Gafurov's ribcage but misses.
Gafurov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Brain moves away.
Brain scores with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brain misses with a two punch combination.
Gafurov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Brain looks to score with a jab to the body but Gafurov is just out of range.
Brain lunges at Gafurov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gafurov's hand.
Altair Brain is winning the standup battle so far.
Brain throws a body punch but Gafurov moves out of range.
Brain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gafurov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Brain is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gafurov can do to turn this around?
Brain looks to score with a jab to the body but Gafurov is just out of range.
Brain staying out of range there.
Brain appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nice body punch from Brain.

Brain gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gafurov to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Gafurov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Brain manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gafurov has Brain in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gafurov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gafurov trying to control the position.

Gafurov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Brain not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gafurov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Gafurov wants to control from the top but Brain keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gafurov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Brain swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Gafurov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Brain dives on top into guard.
Gafurov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Brain is one step ahead there.

Gafurov working for a triangle but Brain defends it easily.
Gafurov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Brain has passed into side control.
Brain trying to control the action but Gafurov is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gafurov is looking for a sweep.
Gafurov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Brain off and has taken his back!
Brain is in bad spot here.
Brain wants to control his opponent's hands but Gafurov gets his hands free.
Brain tries to roll but Gafurov sticks to his back.
Gafurov controls the action.

Gafurov looking for the RNC.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gafurov trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Altair Brain dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Brain lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gafurov at a distance.
Brain is looking to slow Gafurov down with leg kicks.
A swing and a miss from Gafurov.
Gafurov looks to score with a jab to the body but Brain is just out of range.
Gafurov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Brain sprawls well. Brain wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gafurov gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brain misses with a low kick.
And Gafurov tries to counter it with a takedown but Brain pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Brain throws a leg kick

and Gafurov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Brain has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gafurov is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gafurov is working for a submission of some sort.
Gafurov wants to take a breather but Brain is having none of it.
Gafurov stops Brain from getting back to his feet.
Gafurov uses his free foot to push down on Brain's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Brain.
Gafurov tries to take his opponent's back but Brain turns with him and manages to move into guard on the top. Nice work.
Brain trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gafurov's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

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.

Brain stands up and waves to Gafurov to follow him.
Brain tries to land a leg kick but Gafurov saw it coming and moves away.
Gafurov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gafurov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Brain.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gafurov or perhaps it was just good defense by Brain, which made it look bad.
Brain appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Gafurov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Brain manages to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Brain.
And Gafurov tries to counter it with a takedown but Brain pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gafurov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Brain ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brain bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Brain tried to counter with a leg kick but Gafurov avoided it.
Gafurov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Brain defends it nicely.
Altair Brain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marat Gafurov.
Brain misses with an uppercut.
Gafurov has his takedown stuffed
and Brain counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gafurov needs to keep his hands up - Brain had a free shot at his head there.
Brain throws a head kick that misses.
Brain throws a sloppy head kick and Gafurov moves out of range easily.
Gafurov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brain is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gafurov.
Gafurov feints the counter takedown.
Brain throws a hook but Gafurov avoids it easily.
Gafurov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gafurov lands with a hook. Brain tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Brain connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gafurov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Brain manages to avoid it.
Brain swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Brain misses with an uppercut. Gafurov saw that one coming.
Gafurov misses with a lunging right hand
and Brain counters with a stiff right hand.
Altair Brain is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gafurov dives in for a single leg takedown but Brain sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Brain connects with the punch.
Marat Gafurov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brain throws a nice inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Altair Brain showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Brain, 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Altair Brain!
Post fight, an emotional Altair Brain said 'Yeah baby, this is what I was made for. All the hard work that I put into training has finally paid off. Who's the champ? I'm the champ.'.
Marat Gafurov spoke after the fight, saying 'I need a rematch! Its impossible...'.