PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle Rad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Azhiev
vs
Rad

177 cm
40
144 lbs
22 - 73 - 0

165 cm
39
104 lbs
31 - 22 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 - 73 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anzhor Azhiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyle Rad!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rad throws a sloppy head kick and Azhiev moves out of range easily.
Rad connects with an inside leg kick.
Azhiev looks for a takedown but Rad sprawls well.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rad. That's going to slow Azhiev down.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Azhiev is defended easily by Rad.
Rad slaps away a takedown attempt from Azhiev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rad tries a quick counter leg kick but Azhiev is wise to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anzhor Azhiev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Azhiev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
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.

Azhiev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Rad pushes Azhiev off and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rad lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rad has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Azhiev is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Rad cracks the inside of Azhiev's front leg.
Rad misses with a head kick.
Azhiev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rad counters with a low kick, right behind Azhiev 's knee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rad lands with a shot to the body.
Rad throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Rad lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Azhiev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rad slaps away a takedown attempt from Azhiev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rad thuds his shin into the meat of Azhiev's side.
Rad digs a good hook to Azhiev's body.
Azhiev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Azhiev ducks right into an uppercut from Rad.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but Rad shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Azhiev steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rad. That one must have hurt.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rad darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rad defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Azhiev.
Rad scores with a leg kick.
Azhiev shoots in and drives through. Rad sprawls well.
Azhiev shoots in but Rad avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rad throws a head kick that Azhiev semi-blocks.
Rad buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Azhiev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rad cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rad ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Azhiev takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rad cracks the inside of Azhiev's front leg.
Azhiev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rad feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Azhiev's calf.
Rad throws a nice outside leg kick.
Azhiev on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rad.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rad feints a counter leg kick.
Azhiev stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rad.
Rad throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kyle Rad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rad scores with a nice head shot.
A solid body kick from Rad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rad fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Azhiev.
Rad digs a good body shot into Azhiev's ribs.
Rad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Azhiev steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rad. That one must have hurt.
Azhiev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rad counters with an outside leg kick.
Azhiev is breathing heavily.
Rad pushes Azhiev away with a front kick.
Azhiev will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Rad lands with a thumping leg kick.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rad as he jumps to the side.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rad.
Rad lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Azhiev backs up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
That kick from Rad tenderised Azhiev's leg. Azhiev is trying to keep his angry face on.
Azhiev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rad counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Azhiev thinking.
Rad looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rad. Azhiev shrugs it off though.
Rad turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Rad.
Rad cracks the inside of Azhiev's front leg.
Azhiev takes a kick to the side of the head.
Azhiev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rad lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but Rad shows good takedown defense.
Azhiev shoots and misses
and Rad counters with a good low kick that Azhiev was not able to check.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rad. That's going to slow Azhiev down.
Rad is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nice straight punches there by Rad. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rad.
Rad scores with a nice body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rad.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rad, as that shot connected.
Azhiev shoots and misses
and Rad makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rad connects with a single shot there.
Rad with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rad fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Azhiev.
Rad throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Rad dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rad scores with a hook to the body. Azhiev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Azhiev.
Rad digs a good hook to Azhiev's body.
Rad throws a nice outside leg kick.
Azhiev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rad.
Kyle Rad seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rad lands with a nice body punch.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rad. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Azhiev tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rad is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Azhiev rather than just go for the knockout.
Rad lands a nice looking kick to the body. Azhiev takes a step back to recover.

Rad drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rad showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rad advances position into side control!
Rad controls the position.
Azhiev tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Rad presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

Rad get's back to his feet.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rad.
Rad bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Azhiev on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Rad moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rad lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rad jabs at Azhiev's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rad lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rad lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rad scores with a nice body kick.

Azhiev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Rad pushes Azhiev off and gets back to his feet.
Rad delivers a nice body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rad.
Rad lands a body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rad.
Rad fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Azhiev.
Rad misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rad delivers a nice body kick.
Rad scores with a hook to the body. Azhiev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Azhiev drops his hands momentarily and Rad takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Azhiev takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Rad has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rad turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rad defends it nicely.
Rad was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anzhor Azhiev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rad feints and then cracks Azhiev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Azhiev down.
Rad lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Rad scoring well with a low kick there.
Rad throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rad misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Azhiev on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Azhiev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rad misses with a double jab.
Azhiev shoots and misses
and Rad counters with a three punch combo that has Azhiev backing up. Azhiev nods at Rad to acknowledge the strikes.
Rad fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Azhiev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rad fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Azhiev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rad but Rad pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rad looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rad turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Azhiev has a takedown stuffed.
Rad scores with a hook to the body. Azhiev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rad tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rad jabs Azhiev to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Crunch! Rad slams his shin into Azhiev's torso.
Rad lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Azhiev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Azhiev tries for a takedown but Rad circles away easily
and Rad counters with a nice body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Rad 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! This is the final round!

Rad scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Rad scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rad connects with a high kick.
Azhiev dives in and grabs Rad's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rad pushes down on Azhiev's head and hops out.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Azhiev is defended easily by Rad.
Rad appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Rad scores with a leg kick.
Rad connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rad thumps Azhiev with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rad looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Both fighters circling a little - Rad finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Rad tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azhiev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rad counters with a slapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anzhor Azhiev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Azhiev.
Azhiev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rad counters with a nice low kick that buckles Azhiev's knee momentarily.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Rad to counter with a crisp jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rad. That's going to slow Azhiev down.
Azhiev chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rad can pounce on him.
Rad connects with a right hand. Azhiev shakes it off.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rad as he jumps to the side.
Rad dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Azhiev. That did some damage!
Rad connects with a solid leg kick.
Azhiev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rad lands a body shot.
Azhiev tries for a takedown but Rad circles away easily
and Rad cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt
and Rad counters with a left and a right that stings Azhiev.

Azhiev is rocked!
Rad cracks Azhiev on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Azhiev falls backwards against the cage. Rad follows up with more strikes that drop Azhiev to his knees. Rad keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Azhiev! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:13 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kyle Rad!
A very excited looking Kyle Rad 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.
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.'.