PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Edmond Chabazian (ranked 2549 p4p, 3036 weight class) and Alexander Rusev (ranked 330 p4p, 393 weight class). Edmond Chabazian has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Chabazian
vs
Rusev

184 cm
26
184
7 - 3 - 0

170 cm
19
174
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very quick

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Edmond Chabazian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alexander Rusev!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Rusev or perhaps it was just good defense by Chabazian, which made it look bad.
Rusev shoots in looking for a takedown but Chabazian manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rusev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rusev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Chabazian as he avoids it easily.
Edmond Chabazian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Rusev.

Rusev gets caught napping as Chabazian dives in and scores a takedown. Rusev manages to retain guard.
Chabazian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rusev is keeping the position for now.
Chabazian throws a big right hand that misses.
Chabazian trying to control the position from guard on top but Rusev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rusev pulls Chabazian in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chabazian tries to free his leg and advance position but Rusev is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chabazian trying to control the position from guard on top but Rusev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chabazian stands up over Rusev, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusev trying to control the position.
Chabazian looking to pass the guard.
Chabazian has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Rusev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rusev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chabazian passes Rusev's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rusev is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Chabazian is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rusev defends it well.
Rusev is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Chabazian takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Rusev actively working from the bottom here.
Chabazian trying to control the action but Rusev is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rusev trying to hold on to Chabazian's head to control him but Chabazian postures up.
Chabazian passes to side control.
Chabazian misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Chabazian misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Chabazian is trying to get an arm triangle but Rusev is defending well.
Rusev is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Rusev's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Chabazian wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rusev keeps working.
Chabazian throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Chabazian landing a few strikes.

Chabazian tries for a kimura but Rusev is defending well.
Chabazian works to advance to full mount. Rusev defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Chabazian controlling the position easily from mount.
Rusev is trying to escape the mount.
Chabazian wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian moves to the back position.
Chabazian is hanging on to Rusev's back as he tries to escape.

Chabazian has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Rusev has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Chabazian keeps control of the position as Rusev tries to break free.
Rusev is trying to stand back up.

Chabazian working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Chabazian looking for the RNC.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Edmond Chabazian dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rusev shoots for a takedown but Chabazian saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Chabazian shoots in but no luck this time.
Chabazian throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rusev's waist but Rusev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chabazian off to one side.
Rusev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chabazian sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rusev somewhat.

Chabazian throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rusev was covering up waiting for the punch and Chabazian finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Chabazian wants to control from the top but Rusev keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chabazian will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rusev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusev is in close to Chabazian's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Chabazian is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rusev preventing the sweep.
Rusev trying to control but Chabazian is working from the bottom.
Rusev throwing strikes from guard but Chabazian blocks nicely.
Edmond Chabazian overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Rusev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Chabazian is on top in guard.

Chabazian tries to free his leg and advance position but Rusev is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rusev is on top in guard.

Chabazian is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rusev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Chabazian has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rusev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rusev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Chabazian's head.
Rusev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Chabazian looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rusev is one step ahead there.
Rusev connects with a couple of short punches.
Rusev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rusev's guard.

Chabazian is pushing down on Rusev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rusev is fighting to maintain full guard but Chabazian has managed to sneak the leg through.
Chabazian is pressing down on Rusev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rusev is holding on for now.
Rusev wants to control but Chabazian is keeping busy.
Rusev gets full guard.
Rusev striking off his back but it's not causing Chabazian any problems.
Chabazian trying to control the position from guard on top but Rusev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chabazian is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rusev can do to turn this around?
Rusev is trying to control the position but Chabazian postures up.
Chabazian is looking to work some ground and pound but Rusev has wrist control.
Chabazian trying to control but Rusev is working from the bottom.
Rusev looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian wants to pass the guard but Rusev is keeping the position.
Chabazian wants to control from the top but Rusev keeps moving.

Chabazian has gone for a leg lock! Rusev slips out almost immediately though and dives into Chabazian's guard.

Chabazian looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chabazian avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rusev preventing the sweep.
Rusev lands a couple of digs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Rusev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rusev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Chabazian circles away.
As Rusev looks to move away, Chabazian throws a big counter combo but Rusev just gets out of the way.
Rusev misses with a takedown attempt

and Chabazian counters with a shoot takedown. Rusev fights it but they end up in guard.
Rusev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Chabazian stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rusev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Chabazian is working hard here to advance position.
Chabazian postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chabazian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rusev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Chabazian's guard.

Rusev postures up and lands a big shot to Chabazian's brow.
Rusev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chabazian looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chabazian is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rusev stopping the sweep attempt from Chabazian.
Chabazian working a defensive guard here.
Rusev throwing strikes but missing.
Rusev makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rusev lands a couple of elbows.
Chabazian looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rusev postures up and lands a big shot to Chabazian's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian wants to sweep here but Rusev controlling him for the moment.
Chabazian preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rusev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rusev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Chabazian's head.
Rusev stopping the sweep attempt from Chabazian.
Chabazian is adopting a defensive guard.
Rusev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chabazian trying to control the position.
Chabazian has momentary wrist control but Rusev slips an elbow through the middle.
Chabazian has momentary wrist control but Rusev slips an elbow through the middle.

Chabazian is rocked!
Rusev wants to control from the top but Chabazian keeps moving.
Oh Chabazian is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rusev preventing the sweep.
Chabazian seems to have got his legs back now.
Rusev is working Chabazian over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rusev throwing strikes but missing.
Chabazian looking to control but Rusev passes into half guard.
Chabazian is pressing down on Rusev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Chabazian keeping moving, preventing Rusev from controlling successfully.

Chabazian had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rusev defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rusev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Chabazian is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rusev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Chabazian looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rusev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rusev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rusev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rusev preventing the sweep.
Rusev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Chabazian trying to control the position.
Rusev tries to free his leg and advance position but Chabazian is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chabazian manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rusev manages to get himself to full guard.

Chabazian trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Rusev manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Rusev is working Chabazian over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Rusev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rusev 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Alexander Rusev!