PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bruno Bleak (ranked 1016 p4p, 528 weight class) and Lasha Abashidze (ranked 145 p4p, 80 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?

Bleak
vs
Abashidze

209 cm
26
268
9 - 3 - 0

190 cm
26
244
11 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

SynCity Fightwear
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bruno Bleak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lasha Abashidze!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Alyssa Summers and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Bleak uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abashidze.
Abashidze jabs at Bleak's body.
Abashidze will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bleak throwing a counter right hand but Abashidze manages to avoid it.

Abashidze throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bleak was covering up waiting for the punch and Abashidze finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Abashidze avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Bleak is looking for a triangle but Abashidze pushes his legs off easily.
We've been hearing good reports from Bleak's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Abashidze trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Bleak is looking for a triangle but Abashidze pushes his legs off easily.
Abashidze landing with the ground and pound.
Abashidze is in close to Bleak's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abashidze engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Bleak has his foot on Abashidze's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Abashidze works his way back into a safe position though.
Abashidze trying to control but Bleak is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abashidze landing with the ground and pound.
Abashidze chips away with some ground and pound.
Abashidze lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Abashidze trying to control but Bleak is working from the bottom.

Bleak is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Abashidze defends well.

Bleak had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Abashidze defends it easily.

Bleak working for a triangle but Abashidze defends it easily.
Abashidze connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bleak looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Abashidze landing some decent shots from guard.
Bleak keeping moving, preventing Abashidze from controlling successfully.

Bleak is looking for a triangle here but Abashidze uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Bleak is looking to regain half guard here but Abashidze keeps moving and retains side control.
Abashidze working the head with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bleak is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Abashidze lands a decent elbow from side control.
Bleak sneaks back into half guard.
Abashidze seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bleak taking some punishment here, with Abashidze in his half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bleak manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Abashidze loads up on a big left hand. Bleak felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Abashidze looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Bleak can't hide his disappointment, as Abashidze celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lasha Abashidze!