PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paolo Azzadiu (ranked 4531 p4p, 4394 weight class) and Nico Carpathia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Azzadiu
vs
Carpathia

185 cm
25
180
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
177
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Paolo Azzadiu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nico Carpathia!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carpathia throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Azzadiu.

Carpathia darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Azzadiu trying to control but Carpathia postures up.
Carpathia throwing shots but Azzadiu is blocking nicely.
Carpathia is thwarting Azzadiu's attempts to control the position.
Azzadiu is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carpathia with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Azzadiu is trying to get back to full guard.

Carpathia is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Azzadiu is just riding it out for now. Carpathia eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carpathia throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Carpathia trying to control the pace.

Azzadiu is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Carpathia pulls his head out easily.
Carpathia prevents Azzadiu from improving his position.
Carpathia content to control rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Azzadiu is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Carpathia pulls his head out easily.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Carpathia works his foot free and advances to mount.

Carpathia looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Carpathia throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azzadiu regains half guard.

Carpathia is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Azzadiu sees it coming and defends easily.
Azzadiu wants to control the action here but instead Carpathia manages to pass to full mount!
Azzadiu is trying to escape the mount.
Azzadiu regains half guard.
Azzadiu trying to hold on to Carpathia's head to control him but Carpathia postures up.

Carpathia decides to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azzadiu wants to clinch but Carpathia slips to the side

and Carpathia counters with a nice double leg into side control. Azzadiu won't be happy with that.
You can see the frustration on Azzadiu's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Azzadiu gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Azzadiu moves into full guard.
Carpathia postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Carpathia tries to free his leg and advance position but Azzadiu is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Carpathia throws a big right hand that misses.
Carpathia slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Carpathia postures up and lands a big shot to Azzadiu's brow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nico Carpathia dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Carpathia shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Azzadiu is trying to defend but Carpathia finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Carpathia sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Azzadiu is looking for a sweep. Carpathia 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.

Azzadiu is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Carpathia pulls his head out easily.
Carpathia throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nico Carpathia has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carpathia is nestled in close to Azzadiu, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Carpathia prevents Azzadiu from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Azzadiu looking for submissions off his back.
Carpathia controlling the action here.

Carpathia is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Azzadiu has managed to free his arm - good work.
Carpathia with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Let's hope that Carpathia has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Carpathia.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Azzadiu is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Carpathia pulls his head out easily.
Carpathia takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Azzadiu has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Carpathia is working away from the top position though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Carpathia keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Azzadiu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carpathia swats away the attempt to clinch by Azzadiu.

Carpathia feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Carpathia slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Azzadiu looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Azzadiu is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Carpathia stands up from Azzadiu's guard - Carpathia perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Carpathia fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Azzadiu, pushing him back against the cage.
Carpathia pushes Azzadiu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Carpathia pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Carpathia shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Carpathia was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Azzadiu managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Carpathia.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Carpathia controls the position from side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Azzadiu is looking to regain half guard here but Carpathia keeps moving and retains side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nico Carpathia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Azzadiu moves out of range of the body kick.

Carpathia clinches.
Azzadiu is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Carpathia gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Carpathia is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Azzadiu can't fight it off and eventually Carpathia manages to take the fight to the floor. Azzadiu looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Azzadiu keeping full guard, as Carpathia tries to pass.
Carpathia passes Azzadiu's left leg - he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azzadiu trying to control but Carpathia postures up.
Azzadiu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Carpathia.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azzadiu looking for submissions off his back.

Azzadiu looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Carpathia moves nicely into side control.
Azzadiu tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Carpathia wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Carpathia stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Azzadiu tries to sprawl but Carpathia drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Well, if Carpathia 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.
Nico Carpathia is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carpathia is continuing to stall.
Carpathia prevents Azzadiu from improving his position.
Carpathia stalling.
Azzadiu is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Carpathia's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Carpathia's back!
Carpathia has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azzadiu looking to break Carpathia's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Carpathia remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Azzadiu will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Carpathia rolls, trying to escape but Azzadiu keeps control of the position.
Carpathia wants to get back to his feet.

Carpathia is in a bad position with Azzadiu working for a choke. Carpathia manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.

Azzadiu is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Carpathia slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Carpathia must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Carpathia stands up and waves to Azzadiu to follow him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Carpathia drives through with a takedown into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nico Carpathia comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Carpathia has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nico Carpathia!