PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fiore Azul (ranked 4881 p4p, 23644 weight class) and William Roberts (ranked 578 p4p, 653 weight class). Roberts is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Phenomenal. William Roberts told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Azul
vs
Roberts

182 cm
21
199
2 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
180
1 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Fiore Azul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, William Roberts!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Igor Prikhodko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Roberts gets caught napping as Azul dives in and scores a takedown. Roberts manages to retain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Roberts utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Azul definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Roberts is trying to keep Azul in close.
Azul is working Roberts over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Azul distracts Roberts with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Roberts has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Tycoon Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Azul cracks Roberts with a solid left hand.
Roberts managing to control the position.
Azul has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Azul content to stall in guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azul tries to free his leg and advance position but Roberts is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts keeping moving, preventing Azul from controlling successfully.
Azul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Azul distracts Roberts with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Roberts trying to control the position.
Azul wants to control from the top but Roberts keeps moving.
Azul passes into half guard.
Azul is stalling here. Roberts is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Azul seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Roberts has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azul is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Roberts's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Azul wants to get back to full guard.

Azul is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Roberts pulls his head out easily.
Azul tries to roll over but Roberts keeps him under control.
Azul moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azul has an active guard here but Roberts has managed to pass into half guard.
Azul trying to control here.
Azul is looking for a sweep. Roberts is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Azul is working hard here to advance position.
Azul is pressing down on Roberts's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Azul is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Azul on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Azul tries to get out of the position.
Azul working a defensive guard but Roberts passes into half guard.
Roberts trying to control from half guard but Azul is working away.
Azul is looking to improve his position.
Azul keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Azul tries to roll over but Roberts keeps him under control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Fiore Azul dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Azul gets a double leg takedown into Roberts's guard.
Azul pushing down on Roberts's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Azul lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Roberts works his way to full guard. Good work.
Azul postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Azul chips away with some ground and pound.
Azul lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azul is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Fiore Azul overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Roberts keeping moving, preventing Azul from controlling successfully.
Roberts avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azul lands a couple of elbows.
Azul loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Azul makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Azul trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Roberts tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Azul postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Azul is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Azul cracks Roberts with a solid left hand.
Azul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Azul is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Roberts can do to turn this around?
Roberts has his hands on Azul's head, controlling the position.
Roberts has momentary wrist control but Azul slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azul lands a couple of digs.

Roberts is rocked!
Azul gets to his feet and stands over Roberts, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Roberts felt that one! Azul unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Roberts from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Fiore Azul!
William Roberts was interviewed post fight and said 'I was obviously not fully prepared, I will not make the same mistake, bring on a rematch if you are worth it.'.