PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yandar Bataev (ranked 3757 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ziyardi Batukayev (ranked 3756 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Bataev
vs
Batukayev

183 cm
23
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

184 cm
23
188 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yandar Bataev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ziyardi Batukayev!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Michael Johnstone and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batukayev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bataev avoids it really well and circles away.
Batukayev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It looked like Bataev was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Batukayev tries for a takedown but Bataev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Batukayev dives in and grabs Bataev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bataev pushes down on Batukayev's head and hops out.
Yandar Bataev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ziyardi Batukayev.
Batukayev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bataev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Bataev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Batukayev looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Batukayev bucks up and tries to throw Bataev off but instead Bataev has got his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bataev working for a choke but Batukayev is defending well.

Batukayev preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Bataev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batukayev is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Bataev.
Bataev seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Batukayev for as long as he can get away with.

Bataev working for a choke but Batukayev is defending well.
Bataev avoiding Batukayev 's attempts to control his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Batukayev is keeping busy.
Bataev is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Batukayev tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Bataev sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batukayev manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Bataev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Batukayev manages to get to full guard.
Bataev is pushing down on Batukayev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Batukayev is fighting to maintain full guard but Bataev has managed to sneak the leg through.
Bataev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batukayev is trying to control but can't.
Bataev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Batukayev is pressing down on Bataev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bataev stays in close to Batukayev's body and controls the position.
Batukayev trying to keep a closed guard but Bataev is proving a slippery customer.

Bataev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Horrible takedown attempt by Batukayev or perhaps it was just good defense by Bataev, which made it look bad.
Bataev fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yandar Bataev dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Some wild striking there from Bataev.
Bataev cracks Batukayev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Bataev drives through and clinches with Batukayev against the cage.
Bataev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Batukayev pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Batukayev is trying to pull guard but Bataev has him pressed against the cage.
Bataev tries to pull guard but Batukayev forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Bataev pulls Batukayev into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bataev is looking for a triangle but Batukayev pushes his legs off easily.
Batukayev trying to control but Bataev is working from the bottom.
Yandar Bataev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Batukayev gets to his feet - Bataev follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bataev takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Bataev feints and as Batukayev raises his hands in defense, Bataev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bataev stopping the sweep attempt from Batukayev.
Bataev trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Batukayev manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Batukayev passes Bataev's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Bataev is staying active underneath Batukayev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Batukayev throwing shots but Bataev is blocking nicely.
Batukayev is trying to control the action in half guard but Bataev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bataev tries to roll over but Batukayev keeps him under control.
Bataev is working hard here to advance position.
Batukayev wants to control but Bataev is keeping him busy.

Batukayev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Bataev wants to control but Batukayev is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bataev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Batukayev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bataev has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bataev wants to get back to full guard.
Bataev trying to control from the bottom.
Batukayev trying to pass the guard but Bataev defending well.
Bataev is staying active underneath Batukayev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Batukayev fails with a takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Batukayev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Batukayev enables Bataev to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Batukayev manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Bataev working some strikes from top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bataev tries to free his leg and advance position but Batukayev is retaining full guard.
Bataev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Batukayev can do to turn this around?

Batukayev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Batukayev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bataev is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Yandar Bataev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bataev's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Bataev duly obliges.
Batukayev closes the distance and clinches up with Bataev, looking for a takedown. Batukayev pushes Bataev against the cage but Bataev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Batukayev gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bataev to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Bataev forces his way into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bataev prevents Batukayev from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bataev in particular looking to stall.
Bataev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Batukayev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Batukayev wants to control but Bataev is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bataev lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Batukayev is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bataev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bataev's back!
Bataev wants to escape the position.
Batukayev is trying to stick to Bataev's back but Bataev is turning into Batukayev. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Batukayev's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Bataev.
Bataev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Batukayev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bataev is controlling him.
Bataev lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bataev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Bataev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Batukayev dives in for a single leg takedown but Bataev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Bataev rushes Batukayev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bataev gets underhooks to prevent Batukayev's takedown attempt.
Yandar Bataev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ziyardi Batukayev.

Batukayev ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Batukayev no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Batukayev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bataev wants to control from the top but Batukayev keeps moving.
Bataev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Batukayev on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bataev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bataev preventing the sweep.
Batukayev is still trying to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bataev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Batukayev looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Batukayev looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Batukayev!

Ziyardi Batukayev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yandar Bataev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Batukayev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yandar Bataev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bataev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yandar Bataev!