PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kenshin Yamamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Yamamoto
vs
Azhiev

169 cm
41
147 lbs
23 - 12 - 1

177 cm
39
144 lbs
22 - 71 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
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 23 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Kenshin Yamamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 71 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anzhor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azhiev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yamamoto defends it nicely.
Anzhor Azhiev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Yamamoto drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yamamoto looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Azhiev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Yamamoto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Azhiev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yamamoto defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azhiev being controlled here, momentarily.
Yamamoto postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamamoto is stalling in the full guard.

Azhiev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yamamoto defends it easily.

Yamamoto decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Azhiev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Yamamoto circles away.
Azhiev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yamamoto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Azhiev somewhat.
Kenshin Yamamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Azhiev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
No luck for Azhiev with that takedown attempt.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a takedown but Yamamoto manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Azhiev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Yamamoto gets the takedown into side control.
Yamamoto taking a breather here.
Yamamoto passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Azhiev!
Yamamoto lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Azhiev hang on?
Azhiev really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Azhiev is in a horrible position here. Yamamoto smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamamoto sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Yamamoto landing shots from mount.
Azhiev is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamamoto lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Yamamoto controlling his opponent.
Yamamoto lands a couple of good shots and Azhiev has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Yamamoto is working the ground and pound. Can Azhiev escape?

Azhiev is rocked!
Azhiev tries to roll but Yamamoto sticks to his back.
Azhiev is still in real trouble! Can Yamamoto finish him?
Yamamoto scores with punches to the body.
Yamamoto slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
I really don't envy Azhiev right now.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Yamamoto controlling the positon.
Azhiev seems to have recovered his senses.
Yamamoto has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yamamoto has got one arm under Azhiev's chin. This could be trouble... Azhiev trying to control the other hand but Yamamoto gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Azhiev has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kenshin Yamamoto!
A very excited looking Kenshin Yamamoto made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
In defeat, Anzhor Azhiev stepped up to the mic, 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.'.