PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Aslanyan (ranked 3503 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shamil Saadulaev (ranked 5030 p4p, 0 weight class). Shamil Saadulaev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Aslanyan
vs
Saadulaev

177 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Arthur Aslanyan!
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, Shamil Saadulaev!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saadulaev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saadulaev swings away with a body shot that misses
and Aslanyan counters with a one-two to the body.
Saadulaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Aslanyan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saadulaev.
Aslanyan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Saadulaev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Saadulaev cracks Aslanyan with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Aslanyan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Aslanyan is looking to reverse the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saadulaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aslanyan keeps working.
Aslanyan tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aslanyan is trying to control Saadulaev's posture but Saadulaev avoids it.
Aslanyan is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Saadulaev has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Aslanyan tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Saadulaev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Saadulaev tries for a kimura but Aslanyan is defending well.
Saadulaev tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Aslanyan sneaks back into half guard.

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.
Saadulaev controlling the action here.
It looks like Saadulaev is going to stand back up.
Aslanyan is looking for a sweep. Saadulaev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Saadulaev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Aslanyan sprawls well. Aslanyan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Saadulaev gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev wants to clinch.
Aslanyan drops down looking for a counter takedown but Saadulaev sprawls and moves away.

Saadulaev looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Aslanyan!
Saadulaev controls the position from side control.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Saadulaev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aslanyan holding on.
Saadulaev tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aslanyan tries to improve position but can't.
Aslanyan is working hard here to advance position.
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 Arthur Aslanyan will probably get the nod.
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.

Aslanyan shoots in and drives through. Saadulaev sprawls well.
Saadulaev tries a head kick but it misses.
Saadulaev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aslanyan is fending him off so far but Saadulaev persists. Nope, Aslanyan circles away and we're back to standing.
Aslanyan feinted with a counter takedown.
Saadulaev throws a head kick that misses.
Saadulaev fails with the takedown.
Saadulaev throws a sloppy head kick and Aslanyan moves out of range easily.
Saadulaev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Aslanyan defends well and Saadulaev ends up having to push Aslanyan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Arthur Aslanyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shamil Saadulaev.
Aslanyan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Saadulaev's waist but Saadulaev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aslanyan off to one side.
Arthur Aslanyan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aslanyan throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Saadulaev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Saadulaev drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Saadulaev is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aslanyan is trying to get back to his feet.
Saadulaev tries to stand but Aslanyan is controlling his head.
Aslanyan manages to get back to half guard.
Saadulaev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Aslanyan throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Saadulaev wants to take a breather but Aslanyan is having none of it.
Saadulaev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Aslanyan tries to clinch up.
Aslanyan shoots in looking for a takedown but Saadulaev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Aslanyan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Saadulaev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Aslanyan avoids it really well and circles away.
Saadulaev misses with a series of wild punches.

Aslanyan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Aslanyan lands in his opponent's guard.
Aslanyan trying to control the position from guard on top but Saadulaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aslanyan tries to stand but Saadulaev is controlling from the bottom.
Saadulaev looking to control.
Aslanyan wants to control from the top but Saadulaev keeps moving.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Saadulaev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Aslanyan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Saadulaev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Aslanyan somewhat.
Saadulaev leaves Aslanyan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Saadulaev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Saadulaev is looking to break free of the clinch but Aslanyan has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shamil Saadulaev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Aslanyan looks for a takedown but Saadulaev sprawls well.

Saadulaev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saadulaev tries to pull guard but Aslanyan holds him up against the cage and eventually Saadulaev drops back down to his feet.

Aslanyan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saadulaev looks for a takedown but Aslanyan sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saadulaev is looking to clinch.
Saadulaev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aslanyan swivels and escapes.
Arthur Aslanyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shamil Saadulaev.
Aslanyan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aslanyan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Saadulaev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Saadulaev is looking to clinch but Aslanyan is avoiding it.
Aslanyan dips to his left and cracks Saadulaev with an uppercut!

Saadulaev clinches.

Aslanyan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Saadulaev forces Aslanyan back against the cage and clinches.
Aslanyan leaning against his opponent.
Saadulaev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Aslanyan tries to work over Saadulaev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Saadulaev has Aslanyan pushed against the cage.
Saadulaev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Aslanyan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Saadulaev smiles and moves away.
Aslanyan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Saadulaev.
Aslanyan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Aslanyan forces Saadulaev back against the cage and clinches.

Aslanyan breaks the clinch.
Saadulaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Aslanyan paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aslanyan misses with a takedown attempt - Saadulaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Saadulaev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Aslanyan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Saadulaev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Saadulaev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Saadulaev controlling from the top position.
Saadulaev wants to stand but Aslanyan is controlling his posture from full guard.
Saadulaev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Saadulaev trying to control but Aslanyan is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aslanyan can't keep his opponent in guard - Saadulaev advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Shamil Saadulaev.
I think Saadulaev has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shamil Saadulaev!