PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Artur Azaryan (ranked 2014 p4p, 0 weight class) and Penkosip Bizihwaile (ranked 23562 p4p, 0 weight class). Artur Azaryan has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Azaryan
vs
Bizihwaile

185 cm
30
176 lbs
11 - 7 - 1

184 cm
21
172 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Artur Azaryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Penkosip Bizihwaile!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bizihwaile fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
An attempted straight right counter from Azaryan misses the target.
Bizihwaile tries to close the distance and clinch but Azaryan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Penkosip Bizihwaile seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bizihwaile closes the distance and clinches up with Azaryan, looking for a takedown. Bizihwaile pushes Azaryan against the cage but Azaryan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bizihwaile is looking to land body kicks.
Bizihwaile tries for a takedown but Azaryan circles away easily
and Azaryan counters with a thumping low kick.
Bizihwaile misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A counter left hand to the body from Azaryan misses its target.
Artur Azaryan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Penkosip Bizihwaile.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bizihwaile with a poor takedown
and Azaryan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bizihwaile manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Azaryan on his heels. He'll look to pass Azaryan's guard now, I'm sure.
Azaryan wants to sweep but no luck.

Azaryan is looking for a triangle but Bizihwaile pushes his legs off easily.
Azaryan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bizihwaile really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Azaryan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Azaryan is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bizihwaile showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Bizihwaile must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Azaryan had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bizihwaile defends it easily.

Azaryan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azaryan keeping moving, preventing Bizihwaile from controlling successfully.
Bizihwaile forces his way into half guard.
Azaryan trying to hold on to Bizihwaile's head to control him but Bizihwaile postures up.

Azaryan looking for submissions off his back.

Azaryan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azaryan moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Azaryan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Azaryan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bizihwaile gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Azaryan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bizihwaile can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bizihwaile stays in close to Azaryan's body and controls the position.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Azaryan looking for subs off his back but Bizihwaile has passed one foot through into half guard.

Azaryan is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bizihwaile pulls his head out easily.
Bizihwaile perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Bizihwaile throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Azaryan is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Bizihwaile is tapping! Great win for Azaryan!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Artur Azaryan!