PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hunter Andrews (ranked 22690 p4p, 4162 weight class) and Tigran Minasian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Andrews
vs
Minasian

178 cm
28
179
6 - 7 - 0

181 cm
38
183
11 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hunter Andrews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tigran Minasian!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Minasian moves away from the strike by Andrews.

Minasian scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Andrews stops Minasian from passing to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Minasian advances to mount.
Minasian can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Andrews is looking to escape.
Andrews tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Minasian avoids the attempt from Andrews to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minasian can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Andrews is looking to escape.
Andrews has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Minasian's lack of action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Minasian is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Minasian prevents Andrews from improving his position.
Minasian trying to pass the guard but Andrews defending well.
Andrews is not content to let Minasian control the position.

Andrews looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Minasian passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Andrews!
Minasian forces the positional change into back control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minasian keeps control of the position easily here as Andrews tries to buck him off.
Minasian is looking to control Andrews but Andrews is wriggling around and keeping busy.
What can Andrews do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Minasian trying to control.

Andrews is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Minasian gets his way!
Andrews wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andrews trying to control but not successfully.

Minasian looking for the RNC.
Andrews is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Andrews trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Minasian looking for the choke but no joy.
Andrews is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Andrews staying busy and making it hard for Minasian to control.

Minasian tightening his grip on Andrews, looking for the choke.

Andrews defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Andrews's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Minasian controls the position.
Minasian trying to control momentarily.
Minasian has the hooks in. Andrews is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Andrews manages to stand up with Minasian still on his back. Eventually Minasian drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
Hunter Andrews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice defenses there by Minasian.
Minasian changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Andrews fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Minasian looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Minasian shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Andrews is trying to defend but Minasian finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Andrews wants to improve his position but Minasian is controlling well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Andrews misses with a looping left.
And Minasian tries to counter it with a takedown but Andrews pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Minasian shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Minasian was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Minasian takes a little break here. Andrews wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Minasian tries to advance to mount but can't.
Minasian trying to control the action but Andrews is working from the bottom.
Andrews stops Minasian from passing to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minasian wants to take a breather but Andrews manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Minasian.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Minasian working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Andrews is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Minasian is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Andrews is looking for a triangle but Minasian pushes his legs off easily.
Minasian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Andrews is keeping the position for now.

Andrews throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Minasian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Andrews is keeping the position for now.
Minasian passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Minasian wants to control but Andrews is keeping him busy.
Andrews pushes Minasian away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Minasian gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Minasian wants to lay and pray for a moment but Andrews keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andrews can't do much from the bottom here.
Minasian trying to control the position but Andrews is working away.
Andrews wants to get back to his feet but Minasian drags him back down.

Andrews bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Andrews tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Minasian was well out of range. Poor timing from Andrews.
Minasian shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Minasian sets himself and throws a head kick that knocks Andrews to the ground! Minasian dives into full mount looking to finish!

Andrews is rocked!

It looks like Hunter Andrews has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Minasian controlling the pace for now.
Oh Andrews is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Minasian has control of Andrews's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Andrews regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Andrews seems to have got his legs back now.
Andrews slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andrews manages to get to full guard.

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

Andrews looking for a guillotine here but Minasian defends easily.
Minasian trying to control but Andrews is working from the bottom.
Minasian has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Minasian looking to pass the guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Minasian sitting in guard here, content to control.
Minasian trying to control the position from guard on top but Andrews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Minasian not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Andrews had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Minasian defends it easily.
Minasian passes Andrews's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Minasian controlling the action here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tigran Minasian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hunter Andrews's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Minasian shoots in looking for a takedown but Andrews manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Minasian's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Andrews defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Minasian.
Minasian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Andrews.
Andrews misses with a head kick.

Minasian dives in and scores a takedown into Andrews's guard.
Minasian works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Minasian is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Andrews defends it well.
Minasian slows the pace down in half guard.

Andrews looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andrews wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andrews is trying to stand.

Andrews kicks Minasian off and gets back to his feet.
Minasian looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hunter Andrews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tigran Minasian.
Minasian avoids the body shot from Andrews.
Minasian moves in looking to clinch but Andrews pushes him off.
Andrews tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Minasian paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Andrews connects with a nice looking jab.
Andrews stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Andrews wants it to stay on the feet.
Minasian displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Andrews throws out the jab.
Andrews looks to score with a jab to the body but Minasian is just out of range.
Tigran Minasian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Minasian shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Andrews pinned against the cage. Andrews gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Minasian clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andrews struggles to land a body shot inside as Minasian controls his hands.
Minasian avoids a wild elbow strike from Andrews.
Andrews wants to take the fight to the mat but Minasian manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Andrews has Minasian pushed against the cage.
Andrews tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Minasian smiles and moves away.
Hunter Andrews has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hunter Andrews is winning the standup battle so far.
Minasian changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Andrews tries to avoid it but Minasian manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Andrews to the ground. Andrews escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Andrews fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Minasian manages to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Minasian keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Minasian with the counter takedown but Andrews avoids it easily.
Minasian tries to clinch up.
Andrews swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Minasian shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Andrews defends it nicely.
Andrews misses the jab.
Sloppy strikes from Andrews. Those never looked like landing.
Minasian changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Andrews misses with a body shot.

Andrews closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minasian gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Minasian stalling in the clinch.
Minasian drops down looking for an ankle pick but Andrews pulls his leg out and moves away.

Minasian clinches up against the cage.

Minasian is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Andrews can't fight it off and eventually Minasian manages to take the fight to the floor. Andrews looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Andrews is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Minasian is aware though and is defending well.
Minasian won't allow Andrews to get back to his feet.

Andrews looking for a guillotine here but Minasian defends easily.
Andrews keeping moving, preventing Minasian from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minasian controls from within his opponent's guard.
Minasian passes Andrews's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Minasian prevents Andrews from standing back up.
Andrews won't allow Minasian to pass to mount.

Andrews looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Andrews actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Minasian stalling.
Tigran Minasian is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Minasian wants to take a breather but Andrews is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hunter Andrews showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Minasian has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tigran Minasian!
A very excited looking Tigran Minasian made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.