PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shaoqiang Liu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anzhor Azhiev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Liu
vs
Azhiev

169 cm
21
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
34
144 lbs
18 - 51 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Shaoqiang Liu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 51 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anzhor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Liu clinches with his opponent.

Liu is trying to trip Azhiev. He has hold of a leg but Azhiev is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Liu persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Azhiev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Liu slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

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

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

Liu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Azhiev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Liu has managed to get both his arms back between Azhiev's legs - danger averted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liu advances to half guard.

Azhiev looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Liu is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Liu content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Azhiev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Liu pulls his head out easily.

Azhiev actively working from the bottom here.
Azhiev is trying to get back to full guard.
Liu is looking to advance position but Azhiev won't allow it.

That's two 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.
Liu tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Azhiev.
Liu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Azhiev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Azhiev actively working from the bottom here.
Liu seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Liu is controlling the pace.
Liu seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Azhiev for as long as he can get away with.

Azhiev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Azhiev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Liu is looking to stand up but Azhiev won't let him.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Liu controlling from the top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Liu clinches with his opponent.

Liu jumps into guard, dragging Azhiev to the mat.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Liu holds on and takes a little breather.

Liu working for a triangle but Azhiev defends it easily.

Azhiev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu is adopting a defensive guard.

Azhiev drops back looking for a leg! Liu is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Liu manages to kick Azhiev off! Azhiev jumps back into Liu's guard.
Liu trying to control the position.
Azhiev looking to pass the guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Liu is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Liu controlling Azhiev's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Azhiev tries to keep at a distance but Liu has taken the fight into the clinch.
Azhiev tries to pull guard but Liu holds him up against the cage and eventually Azhiev drops back down to his feet.

Liu is trying to trip Azhiev. He has hold of a leg but Azhiev is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Liu persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Liu is stalling in the full guard.

Azhiev has his foot on Liu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Liu works his way back into a safe position though.

Azhiev working for a triangle but Liu defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liu throwing strikes from guard but Azhiev blocks nicely.
Shaoqiang Liu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Liu is looking to work some ground and pound but Azhiev has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Azhiev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Liu trying to control but Azhiev is working from the bottom.
Liu stands up over Azhiev, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Liu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Azhiev can do to turn this around?
Liu sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Azhiev's guard.

Liu is working for a submission of some sort.
Liu tries to pass to full mount but Azhiev defends it.
Liu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Azhiev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Liu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Liu is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev actively working from the bottom here.
Liu is pressing down on Azhiev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Azhiev is holding on for now.

Azhiev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Liu pulls his head out easily.

Azhiev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Liu pulls his head out easily.
Liu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Azhiev is looking to improve his position.
Liu is looking to advance position but Azhiev won't allow it.
Liu content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu tries to pass to full mount but Azhiev defends it.
Liu content to control rather than advance.

Azhiev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Azhiev looking for submissions off his back.

Azhiev actively working from the bottom here.
Azhiev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Liu pushing down on Azhiev's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Azhiev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Liu.
Liu content to control rather than advance.
Liu is looking to advance position but Azhiev won't allow it.

Azhiev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Liu tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Azhiev.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Liu looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Azhiev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shaoqiang Liu dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Liu thumps Azhiev with a low kick.

Liu rushes Azhiev and presses him up against the cage.
Azhiev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Liu smiles and moves away.

Liu closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Azhiev quickly recovers to half guard.
Liu throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Liu working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Liu is looking for a kimura here.
Liu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liu trying to mount his opponent but Azhiev defends it.
Liu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Liu lands with a punch from half guard.
Liu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Azhiev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Liu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Liu is controlling the pace.

Azhiev actively working from the bottom here.
Liu tries to pass to full mount but Azhiev defends it.
Liu is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Liu stalling.
Liu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Azhiev looking for submissions off his back.
Liu wants to stand but Azhiev has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Azhiev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Anzhor Azhiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liu is taking a breather. Azhiev says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Liu sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Azhiev is looking to improve his position.
Liu thows a huge punch but Azhiev dodges it nicely.

Azhiev has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Liu escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Liu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev tries to buck Liu off but Liu is having none of it.
Liu looks up at the clock and then as Azhiev takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Liu smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Azhiev takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Azhiev is looking to reverse the position.
Liu misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Azhiev is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Azhiev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Liu is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Azhiev managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Liu.
Shaoqiang Liu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Liu stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Liu shoots in and bounces Azhiev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shaoqiang Liu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Liu 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:26
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shaoqiang Liu!
Anzhor Azhiev was interviewed post fight and said 'I still want that title shot. Im the most experienced fighter here and everyday wants to see me smash the champ so lets do it whenever he starts ducking me.'.