PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sage Nopark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Azamat Rashidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Nopark
vs
Rashidov

220 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
25
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sage Nopark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Azamat Rashidov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rashidov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nopark was covering up waiting for the punch and Rashidov finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Rashidov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nopark tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rashidov feints the counter takedown.

Rashidov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Nopark tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rashidov is in Nopark's guard.
Rashidov is looking to work some ground and pound but Nopark has wrist control.
Nopark keeping moving, preventing Rashidov from controlling successfully.
Rashidov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nopark swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rashidov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nopark working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rashidov.
Nopark trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rashidov throws a big right hand that misses.
Rashidov looking to sit in guard and control but Nopark gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nopark really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rashidov wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Nopark is now in half guard.
Rashidov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rashidov wants to control but Nopark passes into side.
Rashidov looking for a sweep but Nopark has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rashidov is working to get back to half guard.
Rashidov looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Rashidov breaks Nopark's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Rashidov has gone for a leg lock! Nopark slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rashidov's guard.

Nopark engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rashidov working for submissions but it's allowed Nopark to get to half guard.

Rashidov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rashidov tries to roll over but Nopark keeps him under control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nopark wants to free his trapped foot but Rashidov is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four 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.
Rashidov trying to get back to full guard but Nopark takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Nopark controlling the position easily from mount.
Rashidov tries to hold on but Nopark pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nopark controlling from the full mount.
Rashidov is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sage Nopark will probably get the nod.
That's time! Nopark's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nopark enables Rashidov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nopark manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Rashidov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Nopark manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Rashidov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nopark can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Rashidov working for submissions but it's allowed Nopark to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rashidov pushes Nopark off looking to stand but Nopark dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rashidov wants to control but Nopark passes into side.
Sage Nopark overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rashidov is looking to regain half guard here but Nopark keeps moving and retains side control.
Rashidov regains half guard.

Nopark stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Rashidov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nopark quickly recovers to half guard.
Nopark is staying active underneath Rashidov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rashidov throwing shots but Nopark is blocking nicely.
Rashidov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Rashidov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nopark sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rashidov wants to pass to mount but Nopark is defending the position.
Nopark works his way to full guard. Good work.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nopark holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rashidov looking to sit in guard and control but Nopark gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nopark decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Rashidov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Nopark to the mat! Nopark manages to get full guard.
Rashidov trying to control the position from guard on top but Nopark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rashidov is fighting to break Nopark's control of his arms but Nopark is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Nopark is working an open guard so Rashidov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rashidov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rashidov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rashidov looking to pass the guard.
Rashidov trying to control the position from guard on top but Nopark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rashidov is breathing heavily.
Nopark pulls Rashidov in to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rashidov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rashidov wants to control from the top but Nopark keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Azamat Rashidov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rashidov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rashidov showed some decent athleticism there.
Nopark blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rashidov.
Rashidov misses with a head shot. Nopark uses the momentum to regain guard.
Nopark has Rashidov pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rashidov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rashidov trying to control the position from guard on top but Nopark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rashidov works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Rashidov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rashidov is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Rashidov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nopark swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nopark pulls Rashidov in to control the position.
Rashidov won't allow Nopark to sweep him here.
Rashidov looking to sit in guard and control but Nopark gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nopark will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rashidov working a defensive guard but Nopark manages to pass into side control anyway.
Rashidov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rashidov wants to control but Nopark postures up.

Nopark decides to stand back up.

Rashidov shoots in and gets a takedown into Nopark's guard.
Rashidov throws an elbow that misses. Nopark uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rashidov's guard. Nice move by Nopark!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rashidov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nopark defends it easily.
Rashidov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nopark sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rashidov wants to sweep but no luck.
Rashidov wants to control but Nopark passes easily into half guard.
Still in half guard, Nopark seems content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rashidov is looking to control Nopark's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rashidov avoid being mounted?
Rashidov wants to control the action here but instead Nopark manages to pass to full mount!
Rashidov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nopark tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Rashidov is trying to reverse the position but instead Nopark has taken his back - oops!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nopark biding his time, controlling Rashidov.
Nopark'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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sage Nopark showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nopark 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Sage Nopark!