PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Malcolm Craig (ranked 4128 p4p, 412 weight class) and Temirlan Ashimov (ranked 3362 p4p, 351 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Ashimov's choice of entrance music: System Of A Down - Chop Suey!. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Craig
vs
Ashimov

169 cm
30
154 lbs
10 - 4 - 1

180 cm
26
168 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 10 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Malcolm Craig!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Temirlan Ashimov!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ashimov lands a nice shot to the body.
Craig tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ashimov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Craig tries to move into range but Ashimov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Good shot there by Ashimov.

Craig gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Craig is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ashimov wants to take the fight to the mat but Craig manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Craig holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Craig stalls.
A short right from Craig on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craig lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ashimov backwards.
Craig gets underhooks to prevent Ashimov's takedown attempt.
Malcolm Craig has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Temirlan Ashimov.
Craig stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Ashimov wants the takedown. Craig is fighting it off but Ashimov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Craig's guard against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashimov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Craig avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ashimov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ashimov postures up in Craig's guard and throws a big left but Craig blocks it.
Ashimov wants to pass the guard but Craig is keeping the position.
Ashimov trying to control the position from guard on top but Craig is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ashimov postures up and lands a big shot to Craig's brow.

That's two 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.
Craig can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ashimov controls the pace.
Ashimov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ashimov is looking to work some ground and pound but Craig has wrist control.
Ashimov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Craig on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Craig tries to get out of the position.
Ashimov stands and throws Craig's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ashimov is working Craig over with some ground and pound from side control.
Ashimov misses with the ground and pound.

Ashimov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ashimov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Craig has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ashimov but great work by Craig.
Ashimov isn't going anywhere.
Ashimov is looking for a sweep.
Ashimov manages to get back to half guard.
Ashimov wants to improve his position but Craig is controlling well.
Craig wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ashimov keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Craig seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Ashimov gets full guard.

Ashimov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Craig gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Craig wants to stand but Ashimov is controlling his posture from full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ashimov trying to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Temirlan Ashimov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Craig tries to close the distance and clinch but Ashimov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ashimov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Craig with a body shot.
Ashimov lands with a straight right. Craig didn't see that one coming.
Ashimov misses the body punch
and Craig counters with a nice uppercut.
Craig walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

It looks like Malcolm Craig has been cut.
Ashimov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Craig at a distance.
Ashimov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Craig throws a right hand that misses
and Ashimov counters with a left to the body.
Craig misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craig takes a jab right on the kisser.
Temirlan Ashimov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Craig throws a poor cross that misses
and Ashimov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ashimov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Craig wants to clinch but Ashimov slips to the side
and Ashimov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Craig wants to clinch up but Ashimov keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craig wants to clinch.
Craig tries to clinch up.
A nice side step and Ashimov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Craig gets a clinch.
Craig scores with a shoulder strike.
Craig tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ashimov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Craig fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Craig wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Craig takes one to the chin there.

Craig drives through and clinches with Ashimov against the cage.
Ashimov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craig blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ashimov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Craig working aggressively here.
Craig is pushing Ashimov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Ashimov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Malcolm Craig has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Temirlan Ashimov.
Ashimov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ashimov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Craig is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Craig takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ashimov is working for takedown but Craig is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ashimov tries to throw a body punch but Craig avoids it by throwing Ashimov back against the cage.
Craig scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ashimov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Craig fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craig scores with a body shot.
Ashimov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Craig under the eye.
Craig wants to clinch but Ashimov slips to the side
and Craig takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ashimov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Craig sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Craig seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Craig forces Ashimov back against the cage and clinches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Craig takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ashimov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Ashimov.
Ashimov is trying to maintain a safe position but Craig gets an underhook and turns Ashimov into the cage.
Craig tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ashimov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Craig after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Craig.
Ashimov blocks a body shot from Craig.
Craig taking a breather.
A right hook to the body lands for Craig.
Ashimov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Craig pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ashimov can't get the takedown.
Craig lands with a short shot to the head.
Ashimov is looking to take this one to the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Craig scores with a shot to the side of Ashimov's head.
Craig lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ashimov or not.
Craig prevents a takedown attempt there.
A body shot lands from Craig.
Craig is leaning against Ashimov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
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 Malcolm Craig will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Malcolm Craig's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Craig moves into the clinch successfully.
Ashimov working aggressively here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Craig takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ashimov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Craig is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ashimov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Craig's elbow.
Craig displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ashimov up against the cage.
Craig lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashimov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Craig avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Craig lands a nice uppercut.
Craig gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ashimov.
Malcolm Craig has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Temirlan Ashimov.
Ashimov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craig gets underhooks to prevent Ashimov's takedown attempt.
Craig content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ashimov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Craig gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Craig.
Craig tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ashimov can't get the takedown.
Ashimov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Craig prevents it.
Ashimov is working for takedown but Craig is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ashimov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Craig's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craig gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ashimov.
Ashimov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ashimov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Malcolm Craig has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Craig manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Craig content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Craig throws a punch but it's blocked by Ashimov.
Ashimov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Craig avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craig lands a shot to the body.
Ashimov can't break the clinch.
Ashimov is trying to break the clinch but Craig has him pressed against the cage.
Craig stalling against the cage.
Craig lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Come on Craig - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A short right from Craig.
Craig lands a nice uppercut.
Craig swings wildly with an uppercut but Ashimov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ashimov blocks an uppercut.
Ashimov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ashimov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Craig is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashimov looking for a takedown.
A nice left hand lands by Craig.
Craig tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Craig lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ashimov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Craig avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Craig lands a body punch.
Ashimov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ashimov takes a shot to the head.

Ashimov wants the takedown. Craig is fighting it off but Ashimov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Craig's guard against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Craig wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Ashimov is now in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Craig has his hands clasped together around Ashimov's back. He's all about the action.
Ashimov not doing much here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malcolm Craig showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Craig 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Malcolm Craig!
Malcolm Craig took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.