PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randolph Warner (ranked 24808 p4p, 0 weight class) and Natik Aliyev (ranked 5889 p4p, 0 weight class). Randolph Warner has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Warner
vs
Aliyev

217 cm
19
214 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

160 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Randolph Warner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Natik Aliyev!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Felipe Paraventi and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Warner throws a head kick that misses.
Warner blocks a head kick by Aliyev.
Aliyev should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Warner misses with a body shot.
Warner tries for a takedown but Aliyev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Warner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aliyev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Warner fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aliyev tries a head kick but it misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Warner or perhaps it was just good defense by Aliyev, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randolph Warner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aliyev misses with a hook. Warner ducked under it nicely.
Warner dives in and grabs Aliyev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Aliyev pushes down on Warner's head and hops out.
Aliyev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Warner defends it well.
Nice sprawl there from Aliyev as Warner shoots in.
Aliyev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aliyev tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Warner 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Warner avoids the head kick by Aliyev.
Aliyev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Warner lands a high kick!
Warner avoids the head kick by Aliyev.
Aliyev misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Warner blocks a head kick by Aliyev.
A head kick misses from Aliyev.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Aliyev has eaten all the pies!
Warner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aliyev throws a head kick that misses.
Warner will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Aliyev throws a lazy right hand but Warner sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Warner appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Aliyev looks to throw the jab but Warner is out of range.
Warner lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev blocks a head kick by Warner.
Warner misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Warner throws a leg kick which misses Aliyev's front leg but catches the back leg as Aliyev tries to avoid it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aliyev blocks a head kick by Warner.
Warner scores with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Natik Aliyev dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Aliyev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Aliyev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Warner tries to counter with a takedown but Aliyev is quick to defend against it.
A head kick misses from Aliyev.
A big right from Aliyev misses.
Warner really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Warner scores with a jab. Aliyev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Warner shoots in for a takedown but Aliyev shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Warner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aliyev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Warner defends it well.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Aliyev misses with a head kick.
Warner feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Warner avoids a punch combination nicely.
Warner attempts a counter takedown but Aliyev avoids it well and moves away.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Aliyev in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Aliyev throws a sloppy head kick and Warner moves out of range easily.
Warner is looking to counter with head kicks.
Natik Aliyev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Warner finds it's way through Aliyev's defenses.
Aliyev throws a head kick that misses.
Warner avoids the head kick by Aliyev.
Aliyev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev tries a head kick but it misses.
Warner throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Warner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Warner shoots in but no luck this time.
Warner throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Aliyev's head.
Warner slips under a jab.
Aliyev misses with a head kick.
Warner is looking to counter with head kicks.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Warner might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Warner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Aliyev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Aliyev steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Warner.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randolph Warner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Warner walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A head kick misses from Aliyev.
Warner avoids the head kick by Aliyev.
Aliyev just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromWarner.
Aliyev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Warner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev throws a low kick but Warner moves out of range easily.
Warner half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Warner throws a head kick but Aliyev moves out of range.
Warner scores with a head kick. Aliyev tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Aliyev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Warner plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aliyev avoids the head kick by Warner.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Natik Aliyev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Aliyev.
Aliyev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aliyev looks to land a right hand but Warner moved out of range.
Warner moves out of range as Aliyev strikes.
Aliyev missing with a left hand there. Warner was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Warner scores with a shot to the body.
Aliyev misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Warner lands but Aliyev takes it in his stride.
Warner fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Aliyev avoids it really well and circles away.
Despite the aggression on Aliyev's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Warner throws a head kick but Aliyev moves out of range.
Warner shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aliyev as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Warner displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aliyev throws out the jab.
Aliyev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aliyev throws a head kick but Warner moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Aliyev.
Warner throws a quick counter head kick but Aliyev was just out of range.
Aliyev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aliyev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Warner half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Aliyev misses
and Warner counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Aliyev throws a sloppy head kick and Warner moves out of range easily.
As Aliyev looks to move away, Warner throws a big counter combo but Aliyev just gets out of the way.
Aliyev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aliyev leaves Warner with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randolph Warner. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Warner closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Warner lands in his opponent's guard.
Aliyev wants to stand but Warner is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Warner throws a big right hand that misses.

Aliyev is working an open guard so Warner takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Warner misses with a shot to the body

and Aliyev counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Warner is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Aliyev wants to stand up but Warner has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aliyev stops Warner from getting back to his feet.
Randolph Warner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Natik Aliyev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Aliyev tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Warner.

And that's the end of the fight!
Natik Aliyev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Aliyev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Natik Aliyev!