PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aharon Sarkisyan (ranked 543 p4p, 73 weight class) and Dixie Small (ranked 440 p4p, 61 weight class). Sarkisyan comes into the arena with Ara Gevorgyan - Artsakh blaring out of the sound system. Small has chosen Penis song as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Sarkisyan
vs
Small

173 cm
27
163 lbs
18 - 9 - 1

167 cm
34
155 lbs
24 - 20 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing
IniTech Nutrition

Voodoo Nutrition
IniTech Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aharon Sarkisyan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dixie Small!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Sarkisyan. Small does a little dance to reset his feet.
Small looks to land a right hand but Sarkisyan moved out of range.
Small lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A bone on bone clash there as Small blocks the leg kick.
Sarkisyan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Small throws out the jab.
Sarkisyan wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Sarkisyan misses the shot to the body.
A little jabbing left from Small on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A slow jab from Sarkisyan misses its intended target.
Sarkisyan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Small.
Sarkisyan walks into a stiff left hand from Small.
Nice shot lands for Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan misses with a looping right.
Sarkisyan has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gym Amsterdam in the buildup to the fight.
Small paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Sarkisyan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Sarkisyan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Small shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Sarkisyan has one foot on Small's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Small has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Small shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sarkisyan pivots, looking for a leg kick but Small is out of range and Sarkisyan settles back down.
Sarkisyan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Small ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sarkisyan moves away.
Sarkisyan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sarkisyan scores with a body shot.
Sarkisyan throws a push kick but Small slaps the foot to one side.
A slow jab from Sarkisyan misses its intended target.
Small lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Aharon Sarkisyan has been cut.
Sarkisyan throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Small scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Small looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Sarkisyan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sarkisyan wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarkisyan trying to control but Small postures up.
Sarkisyan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Small tries to pass to full mount but Sarkisyan defends it.

Small is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sarkisyan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Small.
Sarkisyan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Small.
Small not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Small sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sarkisyan defending well though.

Small is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sarkisyan has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Small is on him like a limpet, forcing Sarkisyan back against the cage.
Sarkisyan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sarkisyan scores with a shot to the side of Small's head.

It looks like Dixie Small has been cut.
Small is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sarkisyan is defending well.
Sarkisyan tries a body shot but Small blocks it.
A shot in the inside from Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sarkisyan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smalls head.
Sarkisyan swings wildly with an uppercut but Small uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Sarkisyan - that landed with a thud.

Sarkisyan breaks the clinch.
Small cracks a nice hook into Sarkisyan's ribs.
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!
Sarkisyan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Small.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Sarkisyan does no damage.
Small is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Small walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sarkisyan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Small was well out of range. Poor timing from Sarkisyan.
Nice shot lands for Sarkisyan.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Small dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Small throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sarkisyan takes one on the button.
Small chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sarkisyan can pounce on him.
Sarkisyan looks to land a left hand but Small moved out of range nicely.
Sarkisyan is looking to chop away at Small's legs.
Sarkisyan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Small misses with an uppercut. Sarkisyan saw that one coming.
Small steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan lands with an uppercut that bounces Small off the cage and back into range.
Small takes a shot to the body in his stride.
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 Aharon Sarkisyan will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sarkisyan lands a right hook to the body.
A lazy left from Small finds it's target.
Sarkisyan wants to slow Small down by chopping away at his legs.
Small ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sarkisyan moves away.
Sarkisyan explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Sarkisyan wants to land a leg kick but Small is out of range.
Small takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Small shoots in and bounces Sarkisyan off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Small throws a big elbow that misses.
Small postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Sarkisyan is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good body shot from Small.
Sarkisyan tries to throw a body punch but Small avoids it by throwing Sarkisyan back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Small lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sarkisyan backwards.
Sarkisyan lands a body punch in the clinch.
Sarkisyan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sarkisyan working aggressively here.
Small lands a body punch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Small tries a body shot but Sarkisyan blocks it.
Sarkisyan misses with a punch to the body.
Small throws a punch but it's blocked by Sarkisyan.

Sarkisyan manages to break the clinch.
Small takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Small misses with a jab to the body
and Sarkisyan counters with an outside leg kick.
Sarkisyan throws a low kick, looking for Small's leg but Small calmly moves out of range.
Small misses with a wild combination.
Sarkisyan throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Small takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sarkisyan misses with a double jab.
Small paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sarkisyan misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Sarkisyan misses the target.
Sarkisyan throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Small connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Small takes one on the button.
Small moves away from the strike by Sarkisyan.
Small on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Small on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sarkisyan lands a right hook to the body.
Sarkisyan slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Small lands with a shot to the body.
Small throws a body shot but no joy.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sarkisyan - that will leave a mark!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarkisyan avoids the body shot from Small.
Sarkisyan throws a body punch but Small moves out of range.
Small just misses with a punch to the body.
Sarkisyan scoring well with a low kick there.
Sarkisyan throws a low kick but Small moves out of range easily.
Sarkisyan scores with a punch to the head.
Aharon Sarkisyan is winning the standup battle so far.
Sarkisyan cracks a nice hook into Small's ribs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Small. Sarkisyan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sarkisyan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Small takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Small loads up on a big right hand but Sarkisyan slips the punch.
Small looks to land a left hand but Sarkisyan moved out of range nicely.
Sarkisyan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sarkisyan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Small.
Sarkisyan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Small drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Sarkisyan defends it well.
Sarkisyan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Small is able to avoid easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sarkisyan throws a sloppy head kick and Small moves out of range easily.
Sarkisyan lands with a nice body kick.
Sarkisyan throws a hook but Small avoids it easily.
Small looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Small throws a body shot but no joy.
Sarkisyan throws a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Small moves out of range of the body kick.
Sarkisyan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Small can do to turn this around?
Small just misses with a punch to the body.
Small avoids the head kick by Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan thumps Small with a low kick.
A low kick from Sarkisyan misses
and Small counters with a stiff right hand.
Small connects with a body shot that sends Sarkisyan's belly button to the back.
A leg kick checked by Small.
A big left from Sarkisyan misses.
Sarkisyan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aharon Sarkisyan dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Small just misses with a punch to the body.
A cross from Sarkisyan lands.
Small lands with a hook. Sarkisyan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sarkisyan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Small.
A nice side step and Small releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Small looks to throw the jab but Sarkisyan is out of range.
Small throws a body shot but no joy.
Small swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sarkisyan misses with a series of wild punches.
Sarkisyan staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sarkisyan lands with a nice body kick.
Small uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sarkisyan.
Small fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sarkisyan manages to avoid it.
Sarkisyan lands with a cross.
Small feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Sarkisyans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Small misses with a jab to the body
and Sarkisyan counters with a low kick, right behind Small 's knee.
Sarkisyan digs a good hook to Small's body.
The fighters circling - Small throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Small misses with a wild body shot.
Sarkisyan looks to score with a jab to the body but Small is just out of range.
A left lands for Sarkisyan.
Sarkisyan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Small.
Sarkisyan defending well as Small loads up on a big left hand.

Small manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sarkisyan on his heels. He'll look to pass Sarkisyan's guard now, I'm sure.
Sarkisyan has his hands on Small's head, controlling the position.
Small trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sarkisyan wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Small with a flurry of punches that miss.
Small trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Small has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sarkisyan managing to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sarkisyan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sarkisyan is working hard here to advance position.
Dixie Small has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dixie Small has got the better of the ground game so far.
Small throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Small trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Small postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Aharon Sarkisyan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Small won't allow Sarkisyan to sweep him here.
Sarkisyan managing to control the position.
Sarkisyan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sarkisyan misses with a body kick.
Small misses with a body shot.
Sarkisyan avoids the body shot from Small.
Sarkisyan scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Horrible takedown attempt by Small or perhaps it was just good defense by Sarkisyan, which made it look bad.
Sarkisyan drops his hands momentarily and Small takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Small misses.
Sarkisyan feints and then cracks Small's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Small down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sarkisyan.
Small takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Small fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sarkisyan manages to avoid it.
Sarkisyan lands a leg kick that knocks Small off balance momentarily.
Decent striking displayed by Sarkisyan there.
Small's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sarkisyan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Small digs a good body shot into Sarkisyan's ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sarkisyan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Small on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sarkisyan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Small momentarily.
Small ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sarkisyan moves away.
Sarkisyan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aharon Sarkisyan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sarkisyan, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aharon Sarkisyan!
During a confident post fight interview, Aharon Sarkisyan thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
In defeat, Dixie Small stepped up to the mic, saying 'It was a good win, but nevertheless, I'll still be bringing home my opponent's girl . Don't feel left out man. And as usual, we'll be making a pov video for all you fans out there. Sayonara'.