PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lasha Abashidze (ranked 1207 p4p, 1215 weight class) and Death Knell (ranked 155 p4p, 157 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Abashidze
vs
Knell

190 cm
21
244
4 - 0 - 0

195 cm
21
250
7 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Conviction

Mile High

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lasha Abashidze!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Death Knell!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Bruno Lombardi and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abashidze throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lasha Abashidze seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knell pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Knell's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Abashidze connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Knell scrambles back to his feet.

Abashidze shoots in and gets a takedown into Knell's guard.
Abashidze postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Knell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Abashidze. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Knell pulls Abashidze in close to prevent any damage.
Abashidze wants to control from the top but Knell keeps moving.
Abashidze scoring with some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abashidze throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Knell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Abashidze with a flurry of punches that miss.
Abashidze with a flurry of punches that miss.
Abashidze is looking to work some ground and pound but Knell has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abashidze throws a big right hand that misses.
Abashidze working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Abashidze 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.
Abashidze postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abashidze working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Knell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Abashidze working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Abashidze is looking to work some ground and pound but Knell has wrist control.
Abashidze postures up in Knell's guard and throws a big left but Knell blocks it.
Abashidze throws a big elbow that misses.
Abashidze postures up and lands a big shot to Knell's brow.
Knell trying to control the position.
Abashidze with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abashidze lands a couple of digs.
Abashidze throwing strikes but missing.
Abashidze throwing strikes from guard but Knell blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Abashidze missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Abashidze throwing strikes from guard but Knell blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Abashidze accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Abashidze landing with the ground and pound.
Knell keeping moving, preventing Abashidze from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abashidze throws a big right hand that misses.
Abashidze with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Abashidze not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Abashidze throws an elbow that misses. Knell uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Abashidze's guard. Nice move by Knell!

Knell would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Knell wants to stand and escape but instead Abashidze has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Knell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abashidze working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Abashidze is looking to work some ground and pound but Knell has wrist control.
Abashidze sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Knell's guard.
Knell is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Abashidze scores with a couple of nice shots.
Knell keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Abashidze landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Abashidze is looking to take a break and control but Knell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Abashidze working over Knell with some ground and pound. Knell looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Abashidze not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Abashidze wants to control but Knell is keeping him busy.
Knell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Abashidze is working away from the top position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lasha Abashidze dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Abashidze.
Abashidze lands a decent elbow from side control.
Abashidze trying to control the action but Knell is working from the bottom.
Abashidze tries to score with some ground and pound. Knell controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Abashidze passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Knell!
Knell felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abashidze throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Abashidze looking to finish with strikes here!
Poor strikes thrown by Abashidze there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's one minute gone in the round.
BOOM! Abashidze connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Abashidze looking to control but Knell is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Abashidze lands a big elbow.
Abashidze connects with a bit shot that sees Knell covering up! More strikes from Abashidze and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Abashidze is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lasha Abashidze!