PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Saadulaev (ranked 4025 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arthur Aslanyan (ranked 2522 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Saadulaev
vs
Aslanyan

183 cm
25
158 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

177 cm
25
157 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shamil Saadulaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Arthur Aslanyan!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, David Hoff and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aslanyan gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saadulaev not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Aslanyan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Saadulaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Saadulaev showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saadulaev won't allow Aslanyan to sweep him here.
Saadulaev stays in close to Aslanyan's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saadulaev is pushing down on Aslanyan's leg trying to pass to half guard. Aslanyan is fighting to maintain full guard but Saadulaev has managed to sneak the leg through.
Saadulaev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Saadulaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aslanyan keeps working.
Saadulaev throwing shots but Aslanyan is blocking nicely.
Aslanyan wants to get back to full guard.
Aslanyan is concentrating on defense, preventing Saadulaev from advancing position.

Aslanyan is defending against the submission attempts here by Saadulaev.
Aslanyan is not content to let Saadulaev control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev wants to pass the guard but Aslanyan is defending well.

Saadulaev is trying to work for a kimura but Aslanyan is defending well.
Saadulaev wants to stand up but Aslanyan manages to regain full guard.

Aslanyan looking for a guillotine here but Saadulaev defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Saadulaev is looking to stand up but Aslanyan won't let him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Saadulaev dives in and scores a takedown into Aslanyan's guard.
Aslanyan seems keen to control Saadulaev's posture.
Aslanyan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Saadulaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aslanyan is trying to hold Saadulaev in close to prevent damage but Saadulaev has managed to pass into half guard.
Saadulaev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saadulaev tries to stand and escape but Aslanyan is controlling the position.
Aslanyan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Saadulaev.
Aslanyan is refusing to be controlled, as Saadulaev sits in half guard.
Saadulaev is really struggling to control Aslanyan but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saadulaev wants to pass to mount but Aslanyan is defending the position.
Saadulaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shamil Saadulaev dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Saadulaev throws a head kick that misses.
Aslanyan avoids the head kick by Saadulaev.
Saadulaev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aslanyan can do to turn this around?

Saadulaev is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Aslanyan's half guard.
Saadulaev trying to advance position but Aslanyan counters by regaining guard.
Saadulaev throws a big elbow that misses.
Saadulaev sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saadulaev seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Aslanyan for as long as he can get away with.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aslanyan working a defensive guard here.
Saadulaev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Aslanyan has a closed guard, preventing Saadulaev from standing up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Aslanyan dives in and grabs Saadulaev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Saadulaev pushes down on Aslanyan's head and hops out.

Aslanyan gets caught flat footed, as Saadulaev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Saadulaev is working Aslanyan over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aslanyan trying to control the position from guard on top but Saadulaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saadulaev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aslanyan trying to control the position from guard on top but Saadulaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aslanyan slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aslanyan works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Saadulaev manages to get to full guard.
Saadulaev has momentary wrist control but Aslanyan slips an elbow through the middle.
Saadulaev is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Saadulaev has his foot on Aslanyan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aslanyan works his way back into a safe position though.

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.
Saadulaev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Aslanyan trying to stand up but can't free himself from Saadulaev's guard.

Saadulaev is looking for a triangle but Aslanyan pushes his legs off easily.

Saadulaev is looking for a triangle but Aslanyan pushes his legs off easily.
Aslanyan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saadulaev wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shamil Saadulaev dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Saadulaev rushes Aslanyan and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Saadulaev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Aslanyan is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Saadulaev tries to break the clinch but Aslanyan is controlling the position.
Aslanyan jumps guard but Saadulaev turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Aslanyan pulls guard.

Saadulaev has gone for a leg lock! Aslanyan slips out almost immediately though and dives into Saadulaev's guard.

Aslanyan postures up and lands a big shot to Saadulaev's brow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saadulaev pulls Aslanyan in close to his closed guard and prevents Aslanyan from doing any damage or advancing position.
Aslanyan stopping the sweep attempt from Saadulaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saadulaev pulls Aslanyan in close to prevent any damage.
Aslanyan trying to control the position from guard on top but Saadulaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saadulaev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Aslanyan not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Aslanyan being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saadulaev wants to sweep but no luck.
Saadulaev controlling Aslanyan's posture.
Saadulaev keeping moving, preventing Aslanyan from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Saadulaev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Aslanyan.

Saadulaev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A right handed body shot lands from Aslanyan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

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

Aslanyan gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Saadulaev to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Aslanyan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saadulaev defends well.
Aslanyan wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Saadulaev is now in half guard.
Aslanyan is trying to maintain the position but Saadulaev is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aslanyan's head.
Aslanyan wants to sweep but Saadulaev has passed to side control!

Saadulaev goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Aslanyan has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Saadulaev but great work by Aslanyan.
Aslanyan tries to move to mount but Saadulaev blocks the move with his legs.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aslanyan wants to control for a moment but Saadulaev uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Arthur Aslanyan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shamil Saadulaev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Aslanyan is nestled in close to Saadulaev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arthur Aslanyan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Saadulaev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

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