PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aslanbek Barayev (ranked 1504 p4p, 146 weight class) and Hamid Sourian (ranked 2719 p4p, 231 weight class). Barayev comes to the cage accompanied by Antirespect - There. Sourian has chosen Number One as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Barayev
vs
Sourian

173 cm
26
148 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

169 cm
26
142 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Woodhouse's

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Aslanbek Barayev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hamid Sourian!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Peter Branson and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Sourian misses.
Sourian throws a lazy uppercut
letting Barayev counter with a right hand.
Barayev tests Sourian's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Barayev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sourian connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sourian looks to throw the jab but Barayev is out of range.
It looked like Barayev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Barayev definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Barayev throws a body punch but Sourian moves out of range.
Sourian throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Sourian throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Barayev was covering up waiting for the punch and Sourian finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Sourian told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
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!
Sourian postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barayev looking for a sweep. Not yet Barayev, not yet.

Barayev is looking for a triangle but Sourian pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barayev looking for a guillotine here but Sourian defends easily.

Barayev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sourian doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sourian manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sourian landing some decent shots from guard.

Sourian avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sourian content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Barayev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Barayev keeping moving, preventing Sourian from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barayev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sourian is refusing to be controlled, as Barayev sits in half guard.
Sourian is looking to improve his position.

Sourian is defending against the submission attempts here by Barayev.
Sourian is looking to improve his position.
Sourian manages to get to full guard.
Sourian is adopting a defensive guard.
Sourian trying to keep a closed guard but Barayev is proving a slippery customer.
Barayev looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sourian not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sourian holds on and takes a little breather.
Barayev trying to control but Sourian is working from the bottom.
Sourian controls Barayev momentarily but Barayev frees himself.
Sourian looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barayev is one step ahead there.
Barayev not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sourian is on top in guard.

Barayev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sourian loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barayev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Barayev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Sourian avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sourian wants to control from the top but Barayev keeps moving.
Sourian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barayev is keeping the position for now.

Sourian stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Barayev has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Sourian manages to get his head free but now Barayev has transitioned to an armbar! Sourian grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Barayev! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Aslanbek Barayev!
Aslanbek Barayev seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.