PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kurbanali Azizov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harry Wates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Azizov comes to the cage accompanied by Лезгинка. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Azizov
vs
Wates

189 cm
20
245 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
260 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kurbanali Azizov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Harry Wates!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Paul Tew and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wates fails to land the takedown.
A quick step to the side and Azizov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wates shoots in but no luck this time.
Azizov is looking to counter with head kicks.

Azizov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Wates sneaks out the side door and pushes Azizov away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A head kick from Azizov lands but Wates takes it in his stride.

It looks like Harry Wates has been cut.
Wates avoids the body shot from Azizov.
Wates should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azizov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Wates. Wates obviously looking to wear him down.

Azizov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Azizov is pressing down on Wates's thigh, looking to free his foot. Wates is holding on for now.
Wates trying to control here.
Wates wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Azizov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Wates tries to roll over but Azizov keeps him under control.
Azizov is controlling the pace.

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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Azizov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wates, pushing him back against the cage.

Wates jumps guard and drags Azizov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Azizov postures up.
Wates is looking to sweep but instead, Azizov has passed into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Azizov is thwarting Wates's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Azizov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Wates looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Azizov seems to be working for a kimura but Wates defends the submission attempt.
Azizov is looking to advance position but Wates won't allow it.

Azizov decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Azizov swats away the attempt to clinch by Wates.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Azizov moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kurbanali Azizov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Harry Wates's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Wates moves into the clinch.
Azizov tries to land knees in the clinch but Wates avoids the damage to the body.

Azizov breaks the clinch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Azizov.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Azizov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Wates looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Wates tries to close the distance and clinch but Azizov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Azizov swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Azizov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Wates pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azizov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Azizov.
Wates gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Azizov trying to advance position but Wates counters by regaining guard.
Azizov being controlled here momentarily.
Wates is trying to control the position but Azizov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azizov looking to pass the guard.
Wates trying to control the position.
Azizov preventing the sweep.
Kurbanali Azizov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Azizov trying to control the position from guard on top but Wates is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Azizov passes Wates's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Wates is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wates trying to hold on to Azizov's head to control him but Azizov postures up.
Azizov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wates can do to turn this around?

Azizov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Wates sees it coming and defends easily.
Azizov wants to pass the guard but Wates is defending well.
Wates keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Wates works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four 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.

Azizov stands up from Wates's guard - Azizov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Azizov darts in looking for a takedown but Wates gets double underhooks and turns Azizov into the cage.

Azizov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Wates is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wates wants to control but Azizov is keeping him busy.
Wates is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Azizov wants to improve his position but Wates is controlling well.
Azizov is refusing to be controlled, as Wates sits in half guard.
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 Kurbanali Azizov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Harry Wates'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. This is the final round!

Wates shoots in for a takedown but Azizov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wates fails to land the takedown.
A head kick misses from Azizov.
Wates shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Azizov but Azizov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kurbanali Azizov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Harry Wates.
Wates shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Azizov but Azizov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Azizov is looking to counter the offense by Wates and move into the clinch.

Azizov moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wates decides to pull guard.
Azizov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Wates really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Azizov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azizov gets to his feet - Wates follows without any prompting.
Azizov wants to clinch up but Wates keeps it at a distance.
Azizov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Wates sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Wates is looking to clinch but Azizov is avoiding it.
Wates tries to clinch but Azizov moves out of range.
Wates misses with a leg kick.
Wates fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Wates throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Azizov's waist but Azizov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wates off to one side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Azizov.
Wates will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wates takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Azizov lands a two punch combo.
Azizov slaps away a takedown attempt from Wates, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Azizov looks to land a right hand but Wates moved out of range.
Wates is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Wates shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Azizov but Azizov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wates gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Wates takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azizov clinches up against the cage.

Azizov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Wates regains guard.
Azizov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Azizov slips nicely into half guard.
Azizov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azizov wants to take a breather but Wates is having none of it.
Wates is looking for a sweep. Azizov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Azizov slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Azizov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kurbanali Azizov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Azizov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kurbanali Azizov!