PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miyamoto Musashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Azhiev
vs
Musashi

177 cm
39
144 lbs
22 - 72 - 0

182 cm
25
130 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 22 - 72 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anzhor Azhiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Miyamoto Musashi!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Musashi enables Azhiev to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Musashi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Azhiev looking to pass the guard.

Musashi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Azhiev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Azhiev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Musashi looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Azhiev drops back looking for a leg! Musashi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Musashi manages to kick Azhiev off! Azhiev jumps back into Musashi's guard.

Musashi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Azhiev slips nicely into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Musashi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Musashi wants to control but Azhiev is keeping busy.
Musashi told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Musashi defends it well.
Musashi wants to control but Azhiev is keeping busy.

Musashi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Azhiev pulls his head out easily.
Musashi is looking to control Azhiev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Musashi avoid being mounted?
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Musashi tries to roll over but Azhiev keeps him under control.

Azhiev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Musashi has managed to free his arm - good work.

Musashi looking for submissions off his back.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Musashi defends it well.

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.

Azhiev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Musashi has managed to free his arm - good work.

Azhiev seems to be working for a kimura but Musashi defends the submission attempt.

Azhiev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Musashi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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

Azhiev wants to work for an arm triangle but Musashi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Musashi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev postures up.

Musashi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Musashi keeping full guard, as Azhiev tries to pass.
Azhiev advances to half guard.
Musashi wants to improve his position but Azhiev is controlling well.

Musashi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Musashi defends it well.
Musashi gets full guard.

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

Musashi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Musashi looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev postures up.

Azhiev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Azhiev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Azhiev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Azhiev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Azhiev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Musashi trying to keep a closed guard but Azhiev is proving a slippery customer.
Musashi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Musashi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Azhiev defends well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Azhiev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Azhiev is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Musashi is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Musashi has escaped and now he's on top!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anzhor Azhiev dominated that round.
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.

Musashi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Azhiev.
Musashi lands with a good body shot.
A right-left combo lands from Musashi.

Azhiev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Musashi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Musashi regains half guard.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Azhiev wants to work for an arm triangle but Musashi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Musashi is trying to maintain the position but Azhiev is very close to passing his half guard.
Musashi gets back to full guard.
Musashi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Azhiev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Azhiev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Azhiev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Azhiev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Musashi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Musashi looking for a sweep. Not yet Musashi, not yet.
Azhiev postures up.

Azhiev drops back looking for a leg! Musashi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Musashi manages to kick Azhiev off! Azhiev jumps back into Musashi's guard.
Azhiev is pushing down on Musashi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Musashi is fighting to maintain full guard but Azhiev has managed to sneak the leg through.

Azhiev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Azhiev seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Azhiev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Musashi is just riding it out for now. Azhiev eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev trying to mount his opponent but Musashi defends it.

Musashi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Musashi is trying to control but can't.
Musashi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Musashi.

Musashi is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Azhiev frees his head nicely. Oh but Musashi has switched to an armbar! Azhiev is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Miyamoto Musashi!
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.'.