PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aziz Kabulniyazov (ranked 4473 p4p, 515 weight class) and Genji Kamogawa (ranked 4697 p4p, 531 weight class). Kamogawa has chosen Rob Bailey & The Hustle Standard - Hungry as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kabulniyazov
vs
Kamogawa

198 cm
20
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
20
214 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aziz Kabulniyazov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Genji Kamogawa!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kamogawa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kabulniyazov, pushing him back against the ropes.
Kabulniyazov misses with an elbow strike.
Kabulniyazov struggles to land a body shot inside as Kamogawa controls his hands.
Kamogawa lands a body shot.
Kabulniyazov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kamogawa lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Kamogawa.
Kabulniyazov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kamogawa backwards.
Kabulniyazov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short uppercut from Kabulniyazov.
Kamogawa creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kamogawa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kabulniyazov taking a breather.
Kamogawa throws a head punch that misses.
Kabulniyazov fails to pull guard.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kabulniyazov.
Kamogawa blocks an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kamogawa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kamogawa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kabulniyazov.
Kabulniyazov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kabulniyazov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kabulniyazov slips under a jab.
Kabulniyazov is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kabulniyazov staying out of range there.
Kabulniyazov tries to clinch up but Kamogawa circles away and keeps his distance.
It seemed like Kamogawa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kamogawa thows a leg kick but Kabulniyazov checks it
and Kabulniyazov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kabulniyazov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kabulniyazov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Genji Kamogawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kamogawa looks to land a right hand but Kabulniyazov moved out of range.
Kamogawa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Kabulniyazov clinches up against the ropes.

Kamogawa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kabulniyazov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kamogawa lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kabulniyazov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kabulniyazov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kamogawa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kabulniyazov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kamogawa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kabulniyazov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kamogawa pushes Kabulniyazov up against the ropes in a clinch.
Kabulniyazov avoids the elbow strike from Kamogawa, against the ropes.

Kamogawa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kamogawa throws a hook to the side of Kabulniyazov's head but Kabulniyazov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Kabulniyazov tries to keep at a distance but Kamogawa has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kamogawa blocking some punches.
Kamogawa lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kamogawa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kabulniyazov.
Kabulniyazov tries to pull guard but Kamogawa forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.
Kabulniyazov managing to block the knees to the body from Kamogawa.

Kabulniyazov pulls guard successfully.
Kamogawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Kabulniyazov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kabulniyazov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kamogawa defends it easily.
Kamogawa is stalling in the full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kamogawa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kabulniyazov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kamogawa pushing down on Kabulniyazov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kabulniyazov moves into full guard.
Kabulniyazov seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Kamogawa content to stall in guard here.
Kamogawa stopping the sweep attempt from Kabulniyazov.
Kamogawa slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kamogawa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kabulniyazov is looking for a triangle but Kamogawa pushes his legs off easily.
Kamogawa wants to control from the top but Kabulniyazov keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kabulniyazov working for a triangle but Kamogawa defends it easily.
Kabulniyazov trying to keep a closed guard but Kamogawa is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Kabulniyazov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kabulniyazov being controlled here, momentarily.
Kamogawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Kabulniyazov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kabulniyazov is on top in guard.

Kamogawa is adopting a defensive guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Kabulniyazov 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.
Kabulniyazov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kamogawa is keeping the position for now.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kamogawa holds on and takes a little breather.
Kamogawa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kamogawa looking for a sweep. Not yet Kamogawa, not yet.
Kamogawa keeping full guard, as Kabulniyazov tries to pass.
Kamogawa pulls Kabulniyazov in close to prevent any damage.
Kamogawa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kabulniyazov is one step ahead there.

That's six 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.
Kamogawa is trying to keep Kabulniyazov in close.
Kamogawa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kabulniyazov is one step ahead there.
Kabulniyazov forces his way into half guard.
Kabulniyazov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kamogawa does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kabulniyazov wants to free his trapped foot but Kamogawa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kabulniyazov wants to control but Kamogawa is keeping him busy.
Kamogawa trying to control but Kabulniyazov postures up.
Kamogawa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kabulniyazov stopping the sweep attempt from Kamogawa.
Kabulniyazov controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kabulniyazov postures up.
Kabulniyazov trying to control but Kamogawa is working from the bottom.
Kabulniyazov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kamogawa is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Kabulniyazov postures up.
Kabulniyazov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kamogawa is keeping the position for now.
Kabulniyazov wants to control from the top but Kamogawa keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kabulniyazov blocks a jab.

Kamogawa moves into the clinch successfully.
Kabulniyazov trying to stall but Kamogawa improves his position.
Kamogawa blocks an elbow strike.
Kabulniyazov throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Kamogawa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kabulniyazov's brow.

Kabulniyazov successfully pulls guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Kabulniyazov working for a triangle but Kamogawa defends it easily.
Kamogawa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kabulniyazov keeping moving, preventing Kamogawa from controlling successfully.

Kabulniyazov is looking for a triangle but Kamogawa pushes his legs off easily.
Kamogawa content to stall in guard here.
Kabulniyazov keeping moving, preventing Kamogawa from controlling successfully.
Kamogawa's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kamogawa trying to control but Kabulniyazov is working from the bottom.

Kabulniyazov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kamogawa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kabulniyazov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kamogawa.
Kamogawa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kamogawa forces his way into half guard.
Kabulniyazov is looking for a sweep. Kamogawa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kabulniyazov is staying active underneath Kamogawa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kamogawa is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Kabulniyazov works his way to full guard. Good work.

Kabulniyazov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kamogawa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kamogawa sitting in guard, not really doing much.
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 Aziz Kabulniyazov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kamogawa takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kamogawa looks to land a right hand but Kabulniyazov moved out of range.
Kabulniyazov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kamogawa.
Kamogawa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kabulniyazov scores with a nice right hand.
Kabulniyazov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kamogawa was well out of range. Poor timing from Kabulniyazov.
Both fighters circling a little - Kabulniyazov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Kamogawa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kamogawa has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kamogawa there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kamogawa thows a left - swing and a miss!
An attempted straight right counter from Kabulniyazov misses the target.
Kamogawa smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kamogawa throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kabulniyazov checks a leg kick.
Aziz Kabulniyazov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kamogawa throws a leg kick but Kabulniyazov checks it.
Kamogawa misses with a left hand
and Kabulniyazov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A low kick from Kamogawa misses

and Kabulniyazov counters with a left hand that sends Kamogawa to the canvas!

Kamogawa is rocked!

It looks like Genji Kamogawa has been cut.
Kamogawa is breathing heavily.
Kabulniyazov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kamogawa is keeping the position for now.
Kamogawa is still in real trouble! Can Kabulniyazov finish him?
Kabulniyazov trying to control but Kamogawa is working from the bottom.
Kamogawa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kamogawa seems to have recovered his senses.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Kamogawa is still trying to improve position.
Kabulniyazov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kamogawa can do to turn this around?
Kabulniyazov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kabulniyazov preventing the sweep.
Kamogawa is trying to keep Kabulniyazov in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kabulniyazov trying to control but Kamogawa is working from the bottom.
Kamogawa keeping full guard, as Kabulniyazov tries to pass.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kabulniyazov trying to control but Kamogawa is working from the bottom.
Kamogawa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kamogawa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aziz Kabulniyazov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kabulniyazov looking to pass the guard.
Kamogawa thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kabulniyazov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kabulniyazov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kamogawa lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kabulniyazov throws a head kick but Kamogawa moves out of range.
Kabulniyazov swings for the body but Kamogawa moves out of range.
Kamogawa misses with a left hand
and Kabulniyazov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamogawa throws a leg kick that misses.
Kamogawa cracks Kabulniyazov with an open hand slap.

Kamogawa closes the distance and clinches.
Kabulniyazov scores with a shoulder strike.
Kabulniyazov blocks the elbow strike.

Kamogawa breaks the clinch.
Kamogawa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Kamogawa tries to get set, Kabulniyazov tries to push him back and clinch up but Kamogawa manages to avoid the attempt.
Kamogawa throws a jab but it's blocked by Kabulniyazov.
Kabulniyazov staying out of range there.
Kabulniyazov scores with a push kick.
Kabulniyazov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kamogawa.

Kabulniyazov moves into range and clinches up with Kamogawa.
Kabulniyazov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kamogawa is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kabulniyazov is defending well for now.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kamogawa.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kamogawa misses with a body punch.
Kabulniyazov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kamogawa lands a hook that snaps the head of Kabulniyazov backwards.
Kamogawa tries to throw a body punch but Kabulniyazov avoids it by throwing Kamogawa back against the ropes.
Kabulniyazov scores with a shot to the side of Kamogawa's head.
Kamogawa misses with a punch on the inside.
Kabulniyazov avoiding damage as Kamogawa throws knees to the body.
Kamogawa misses with the head strike.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Kamogawa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kabulniyazov's brow.
Kabulniyazov tries to work over Kamogawa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A body shot lands from Kabulniyazov.
Kabulniyazov blocks the elbow strike.
Genji Kamogawa seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Kabulniyazov manages to pull guard.
Kabulniyazov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kabulniyazov trying to control the position here.
Kabulniyazov trying to keep a closed guard but Kamogawa is proving a slippery customer.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Kamogawa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kabulniyazov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kamogawa has managed to get both his arms back between Kabulniyazov's legs - danger averted.
Kamogawa trying to control but Kabulniyazov is working from the bottom.
Kamogawa won't allow Kabulniyazov to sweep him here.
Kamogawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Kabulniyazov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kabulniyazov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Kabulniyazov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kamogawa is aware though and is defending well.
Kamogawa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kabulniyazov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kabulniyazov is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Kamogawa frees his head nicely. Oh but Kabulniyazov has switched to an armbar! Kamogawa is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 6:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Aziz Kabulniyazov!