PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Azamat Bagatov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris ODannel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chris ODannel acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Bagatov
vs
ODannel

180 cm
22
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
20
208 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Blitzkrieg Formula 5000

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Azamat Bagatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris ODannel!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
ODannel shoots in for a takedown but Bagatov shows good takedown defense.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from ODannel.
ODannel shoots in but Bagatov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Azamat Bagatov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris ODannel.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from ODannel.
Bagatov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bagatov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bagatov misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bagatov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from ODannel.
Bagatov drops ODannel with a nice combination! Bagatov dives into ODannel's guard, looking to finish!

It looks like Chris ODannel has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bagatov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
ODannel trying to control the position.
Bagatov is pushing down on ODannel's leg trying to pass to half guard. ODannel is fighting to maintain full guard but Bagatov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Bagatov controlling the action here.
ODannel is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bagatov trying to control the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bagatov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
ODannel wants to improve his position but Bagatov is controlling well.
Bagatov works his way into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ODannel wants to control but Bagatov is having none of it.

Bagatov stands up from mount. Strange move.
ODannel shoots for a double leg takedown but Bagatov sprawls well. He's pushed ODannel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bagatov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Horrible takedown by ODannel or perhaps it was just good defense by Bagatov which made him look bad.
ODannel looks gassed!
Horrible takedown by ODannel or perhaps it was just good defense by Bagatov which made him look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
ODannel shoots in looking for a takedown. Bagatov tries to sprawl out of it but ODannel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bagatov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bagatov throws a left that rocks ODannel and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Bagatov dives into side control, looking to finish! Can ODannel regain composure!

ODannel is rocked!
Bagatov advances to full mount.
Bagatov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
ODannel tries to hold on but Bagatov pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Azamat Bagatov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chris ODannel's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bagatov!
ODannel shoots in looking for a takedown. Bagatov tries to sprawl out of it but ODannel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bagatov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Azamat Bagatov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horrible takedown by ODannel or perhaps it was just good defense by Bagatov which made him look bad.
Bagatov keeps the fight on the outside.
ODannel shoots in looking for a takedown. Bagatov tries to sprawl out of it but ODannel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bagatov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Azamat Bagatov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris ODannel.
Bagatov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagatov cracks ODannel with a big right hand and ODannel goes down!
ODannel is breathing heavily.
Bagatov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

ODannel is working an open guard so Bagatov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Chris ODannel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A cross from Bagatov lands.
ODannel looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bagatov lands a nice hook to ODannel's body. ODannel takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ODannel on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bagatov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent ODannel stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bagatov punishes ODannel's body with a nice straight punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bagatov throws a left that rocks ODannel and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Bagatov dives into side control, looking to finish! Can ODannel regain composure!
ODannel is still in real trouble! Can Bagatov finish him?

Bagatov decides to stand up, so the ref orders ODannel to his feet.
ODannel seems to have recovered his senses.
Bagatov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that ODannel can do to turn this around?
ODannel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bagatov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bagatov throws a one two combo.
Bagatov lands with an uppercut that bounces ODannel off the cage and back into rage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov lands a jab-cross combination.
Bagatov scores with a jab to the head.
Bagatov misses with a series of wild punches.
Bagatov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bagatov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Some wild striking there from Bagatov.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
ODannel has a takedown stuffed.
Bagatov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Azamat Bagatov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chris ODannel's cut.
That's time! Bagatov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

ODannel tries to close the distance and clinch but Bagatov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
No luck for ODannel with that takedown attempt.
ODannel is trying desperately to land a takedown but Bagatov is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for ODannel.
A punch combination from Bagatov misses.
ODannel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bagatov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bagatov throws a right and a left that ODannel avoids nicely.
Some wild striking there from Bagatov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
ODannel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
ODannel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Azamat Bagatov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris ODannel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagatov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
ODannel takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Bagatov fails to land with a series of punches.
ODannel tries to clinch up but Bagatov circles away and keeps his distance.
Jab, jab by Bagatov - just one landing.
Oooh a lovely combination from Bagatov sends ODannel down but not out. Bagatov dives into side control looking to finish.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bagatov works to advance to full mount. ODannel defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
ODannel is looking to improve his position but Bagatov isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bagatov stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
ODannel looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bagatov is fending him off so far but ODannel persists. Nope, Bagatov circles away and we're back to standing.
Bagatov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
ODannel throws a head kick that misses.
ODannel looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bagatov is fending him off so far but ODannel persists. Nope, Bagatov circles away and we're back to standing.
Bagatov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bagatov.
ODannel on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bagatov throws a series of punches but ODannel avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ODannel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
ODannel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bagatov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bagatov's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Bagatov duly obliges.
Bagatov fails to land with a series of punches.
Azamat Bagatov is winning the standup battle so far.
Bagatov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
ODannel misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bagatov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as ODannel backs up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ODannel shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bagatov but Bagatov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bagatov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent ODannel stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
ODannel looks for a takedown but Bagatov sprawls well.
ODannel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bagatov is looking to wear down ODannel with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bagatov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Chris ODannel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Azamat Bagatov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bagatov cracks a nice hook into ODannel's ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Azamat Bagatov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bagatov 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:24
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:24
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Azamat Bagatov!