PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wille Thai (ranked 2473 p4p, 3629 weight class) and Ali Hasanov (ranked 313 p4p, 441 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Thai
vs
Hasanov

195 cm
20
212
3 - 1 - 0

184 cm
24
211
7 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Hardcore Sports Nutrition

Rekt Inevitably

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Wille Thai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ali Hasanov!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Francis DeMontford and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thai is defended easily by Hasanov.

Hasanov closes the distance and pushes Thai back into the cage.
Thai is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hasanov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hasanov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Thai drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hasanov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wille Thai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hasanov stops a takedown attempt from Thai.
Hasanov digs a right hand underneath Thai's ribcage. Thai let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Thai has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Thai is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hasanov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A short left from Hasanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hasanov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thai is working for takedown but Hasanov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Thai is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hasanov lands an elbow inside that Thai shrugs off.

It looks like Wille Thai has been cut.
Thai's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hasanov tries to work over Thai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Hasanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hasanov lands a body shot.
Hasanov throws a series of punches but Thai avoids them all with ease.
Hasanov throws out a powerful jab.

Thai tries to keep at a distance but Hasanov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hasanov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Thai takes a shot to the head.
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!
Thai is trying to pull guard but Hasanov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hasanov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hasanov.
Still in the clinch, Hasanov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hasanov lands an uppercut.

Hasanov manages to break the clinch.
Hasanov swinging wildly here.

Hasanov drives through and clinches with Thai against the cage.
Hasanov taking a breather.
Hasanov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thai drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hasanov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hasanov feints and then cracks Thai's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thai down.
Hasanov has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thai moves out of range of the strikes.
Thai seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hasanov misses with a lunging right hand

and Thai counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hasanov won't be happy with that.
Hasanov tries to bench press Thai off him but Thai keeps the position.

Thai thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hasanov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Thai wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hasanov can do anything to dispel that myth.

Thai thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Thai will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hasanov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thai tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Thai swings around for an armbar but Hasanov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Thai's guard.
Hasanov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hasanov wants to pass the guard but Thai is keeping the position.

Thai throws his legs up looking for a submission but Hasanov uses it to pass to side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thai is looking to reverse the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hasanov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thai keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Hasanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Wille Thai's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hasanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A big right from Hasanov misses.
Hasanov misses with a right hand

so Thai counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Thai drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hasanov dives on top into guard.

Hasanov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Thai is looking for a sweep. Hasanov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hasanov wants to control but Thai is keeping him busy.
Hasanov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Thai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hasanov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hasanov's back!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hasanov trying to control but not successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hasanov is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Thai is staying active.

Thai working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Hasanov is doing well to defend. Thai seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Hasanov is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Wille Thai!