PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tim Greene (ranked 23880 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 10299 p4p, 0 weight class). Greene's entrance music is Back In Black. A fine choice. Anzhor Azhiev will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Greene
vs
Azhiev

163 cm
25
141 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

177 cm
43
144 lbs
23 - 83 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Sully's Bar & Grill

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tim Greene!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 83 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anzhor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Sano and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azhiev with a poor takedown
and Greene counters with a straight right hand.
Azhiev has a takedown stuffed.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Greene defends it nicely.
Tim Greene has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Greene sprawls well. Greene wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Azhiev gets slowly back to his feet.
Greene throws a quick counter kick to the body but Azhiev avoids it.
Azhiev tries for a takedown but Greene circles away easily
and Greene counters with a three punch combo that has Azhiev backing up. Azhiev nods at Greene to acknowledge the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Greene throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Azhiev is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Greene's half guard.

Azhiev is working for a kimura but Greene is defending it quite comfortably.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azhiev tries to pass to full mount but Greene defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhiev stops Greene from getting back to his feet.

Azhiev seems to be looking for submissions.

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

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

Greene manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a takedown but Greene manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Azhiev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Greene went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Azhiev dives in and scores a takedown into Greene's guard.

Azhiev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Azhiev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Greene dives on top into guard.

Greene decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Azhiev, up you get!
Azhiev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Azhiev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Greene kicks Azhiev off and gets back to his feet.
Greene swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Greene stuffs the takedown attempt from Azhiev. Azhiev gets slowly back to his feet.
It looked like Greene was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Anzhor Azhiev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Greene throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Some wild striking there from Greene.
Greene displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Azhiev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Greene quickly recovers to half guard.

Azhiev is trying to work for a kimura but Greene is defending well.

Azhiev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

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

Azhiev is looking for a kimura here.
Greene wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Azhiev shoots in for a double leg but Greene sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Azhiev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Greene tries to avoid it but Azhiev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Greene to the ground. Greene escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Azhiev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Greene counters with a left and a right that stings Azhiev.
Tim Greene has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Greene will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Azhiev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Greene seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Tim Greene is winning the standup battle so far.
Azhiev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Azhiev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Greene.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azhiev closes the distance and clinches up with Greene, looking for a takedown. Azhiev pushes Greene against the cage but Greene circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Greene as he avoids it easily.
As Azhiev looks to move away, Greene throws a big counter combo but Azhiev just gets out of the way.
Azhiev shoots in but no luck this time.
Greene looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Greene slaps away a takedown attempt from Azhiev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Greene is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Greene misses with the combination.

Azhiev feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Azhiev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Greene manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Azhiev has Greene in his guard.

Azhiev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Greene defends it easily.

Greene gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Greene throws a series of punches but Azhiev moves out of range.
Azhiev tries for a takedown but Greene sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tim Greene is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Greene misses with the combination.
Greene smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Greene tries to sprawl but Azhiev drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Greene manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Azhiev keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Azhiev tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Greene just stands there and leans against the cage.

Greene breaks from the clinch.
Greene fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Azhiev shoots for a takedown but Greene saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Greene looks to land a combination but Azhiev avoids it well.
Greene misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt - Greene sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
As Azhiev looks to move away, Greene throws a big counter combo but Azhiev just gets out of the way.
Greene looks to land a combination but Azhiev avoids it well.
Azhiev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Azhiev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Greene went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Azhiev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Greene counters with a three punch combo that has Azhiev backing up. Azhiev nods at Greene to acknowledge the strikes.
Greene stalks Azhiev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Azhiev's face. Azhiev staggers backwards, shaken.
Greene misses with a two punch combination.
Azhiev checks a leg kick nicely.
Greene stuffs the takedown attempt from Azhiev. Azhiev gets slowly back to his feet.
Azhiev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Greene counters with a left and a right that stings Azhiev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Azhiev shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Azhiev showed some decent athleticism there.
Azhiev is breathing heavily.

Azhiev seems to be looking for submissions.

Greene has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Azhiev is on him like a limpet, forcing Greene back against the cage.

Greene breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Greene swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Azhiev misses with a takedown
letting Greene counter with a right hand.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Greene but Greene pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Greene appears to be looking for a big counter.
Greene misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Greene looks to land a combination but Azhiev avoids it well.
Azhiev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Azhiev feints and as Greene raises his hands in defense, Azhiev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Greene scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Greene swinging wildly here.
Azhiev has his takedown stuffed
and Greene counters with a three punch combo that has Azhiev backing up. Azhiev nods at Greene to acknowledge the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
As Azhiev looks to move away, Greene throws a big counter combo but Azhiev just gets out of the way.
Tim Greene has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Greene misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice sprawl there from Greene as Azhiev shoots in.
Greene defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Azhiev.
As Azhiev looks to move away, Greene throws a big counter combo but Azhiev just gets out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhiev darts in looking for a takedown but Greene gets double underhooks and turns Azhiev into the cage.
Azhiev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Greene dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Greene moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Azhiev closes the distance and clinches up with Greene, looking for a takedown. Azhiev pushes Greene against the cage but Greene circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Greene went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Some wild striking there from Greene.
Azhiev avoids a punch combination nicely.
A nice combination there by Greene.
Azhiev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Azhiev looks for a takedown but Greene sprawls well.
Greene seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Greene displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azhiev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Greene counters with a stiff right hand.
Azhiev dodges the punch combination from Greene.
Greene lands with a nice combination. Azhiev backs away looking to recover.
Greene stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Greene wants it to stay on the feet.
Greene appears to be looking for a big counter.
Azhiev slips a jab and a cross from Greene.
Greene fakes the leg kick and cracks Azhiev in the body.
Anzhor Azhiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Azhiev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Greene counters with a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Greene turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Azhiev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Greene defends well and Azhiev ends up having to push Greene into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Greene misses with a kick to the body.
Azhiev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Greene sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Azhiev somewhat.
A combination from Greene does no damage.
Azhiev lands a head shot.
Azhiev looks for a takedown but Greene sprawls well.
It looked like Greene was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Azhiev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Greene tries to avoid it but Azhiev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Greene to the ground. Greene escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Greene keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev darts in looking for a takedown but Greene gets double underhooks and turns Azhiev into the cage.
Greene lands a nice leg kick that just misses Azhiev's sensitive parts.
Greene scores with a push kick.
Greene misses with a few strikes there.
Azhiev darts in looking for a takedown but Greene gets double underhooks and turns Azhiev into the cage.
Greene is looking for a counter combo.
Greene fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Greene misses with a double jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Azhiev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Azhiev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Greene defends it well.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Greene defends it nicely.
Tim Greene is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Azhiev swings widly with a right hand
and Greene counters with a three punch combo that has Azhiev backing up. Azhiev nods at Greene to acknowledge the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tim Greene showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Greene 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tim Greene!
After winning the bout, Tim Greene thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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.'.