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). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Liu
vs
Azhiev

169 cm
23
143 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

177 cm
36
144 lbs
19 - 64 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

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 2 - 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 19 - 64 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anzhor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but Liu shows good takedown defense.
Azhiev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Liu sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Liu throws a big counter combination but Azhiev scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Liu gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Liu gets underhooks to prevent Azhiev's takedown attempt.
Shaoqiang Liu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Liu will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Azhiev up against the cage.
Azhiev tries to pull guard but Liu holds him up against the cage and eventually Azhiev drops back down to his feet.
Liu scores with a knee to the head.
Azhiev goes for a takedown attempt but Liu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Azhiev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Liu circles away.
Azhiev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Anzhor Azhiev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whack! Liu lands a heavy head kick that drops Azhiev. The ref tackles Liu to stop the fight - a great save by the referee because Azhiev was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Head Kick). Shaoqiang Liu!
Anzhor Azhiev spoke after the fight, saying '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.'.