PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bryant Davis (ranked 305 p4p, 964 weight class) and Zigor Azarola (ranked 18 p4p, 73 weight class). Davis comes to the cage accompanied by Rocky Road. Azarola has chosen Million Shattered Swords by Witchrot as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Davis
vs
Azarola

171 cm
24
135
10 - 2 - 0

160 cm
24
144
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
© Trap House

Conviction
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bryant Davis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zigor Azarola!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Colin Fotheringham and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Davis avoids a kick to the body.
Davis scores with a hook.
Davis lands a leg kick that knocks Azarola off balance momentarily.
Azarola fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Davis manages to avoid it.
Azarola takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Azarola closes the distance and clinches.
Azarola lands a nice shot to the body.
Azarola can't find room to land a body shot as Davis controls the action.
Davis swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Azarola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Davis tries a body shot but Azarola blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Davis prevents a body shot from Azarola.
Azarola can't find room to land a body shot as Davis controls the action.

Davis manages to break the clinch.
Azarola throws a good cross that connects.
Davis misses with a low kick.
Azarola flicks out a counter leg kick but Davis steps away.
Davis moves out of range as Azarola strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davis connects with a nice looking jab.
Azarola moves into range and connects with a jab.
Davis throws a hook but Azarola avoids it easily.
Azarola throws a lazy head kick
and Davis counters with a good low kick that Azarola was not able to check.
Zigor Azarola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Davis lands a jab.
Azarola throws a jab when Davis was well out of range.
A nice leg kick from Davis, right into the meat of the thigh.
Davis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Azarola chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Davis missing with a left hand there. Azarola was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Davis takes one on the button.
Azarola throws a lazy right hand but Davis sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Davis throws a predictable looking body shot
and Azarola counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azarola throws a body punch but Davis moves out of range.
It looked like Davis wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A good leg kick by Azarola.
Azarola throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Davis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Davis scores with a jab to the head.
Davis is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Azarola slips under a jab from Davis.
Davis misses with a hook.
Azarola tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A little feinted left hand from Davis on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Azarola uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Davis.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Azarola checks a leg kick.
Azarola is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Azarola throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Davis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Davis was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Azarola.
Good leg kick by Azarola.
Davis keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Azarola.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davis lands with a thumping leg kick.
Azarola avoids the body shot from Davis.
Azarola is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Azarola uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Davis.
Azarola steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Davis.
That kick from Davis tenderised Azarola's leg. Azarola is trying to keep his angry face on.
Azarola throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Azarola has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Davis finds it's way round the side to connect with Azarola's head.
Azarola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Davis.
Azarola lands a nice looking body kick.
Davis finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Azarola clinches with his opponent.
Davis misses with a body punch.

Davis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Davis tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azarola takes a swing at Davis's ribcage but misses.
As Azarola backs away, Davis returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Azarola throws a series of punches but Davis avoids them all with ease.
Azarola fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Davis manages to avoid it.
Azarola sizes up Davis with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Azarola missing with a left hand there. Davis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A low kick from Davis misses
and Azarola counters with a good low kick that Davis was not able to check.
Davis checks a low kick from Azarola.
Davis throws a body punch but Azarola moves out of range.
Azarola ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Davis keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Davis uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Azarola.
Azarola with a body punch. A glancing blow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zigor Azarola will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Azarola getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Azarola throws a head kick that misses.
Davis moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Azarola drops his hands momentarily and Davis takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Azarola keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Davis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A low kick from Davis misses
and Azarola counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Davis ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Azarola moves away.
Davis misses with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Davis takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Davis showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Azarola.
It looked like Davis wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Davis throws a front kick aimed at Azarola's knee but Azarola avoids it well.
Azarola only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Azarola lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Davis has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Davis and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Azarola has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Azarola closes the distance looking to clinch
and Davis counters with a straight right hand.
Azarola fails in his attempt to clinch.
Azarola connects with a right hand. Davis shakes it off.
Azarola throws a leg kick but Davis checks it.
Azarola is looking to slow Davis down with leg kicks.
Davis uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Azarola.
Davis throwing a counter right hand but Azarola manages to avoid it.
Azarola on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Davis throws out a leg kick but Azarola moves out of range and Davis only half commits.
Azarola ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azarola moves out of range of the strikes.
Davis throws a solid leg kick but Azarola takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Davis.
Davis throws a sloppy head kick and Azarola moves out of range easily.
A nice leg kick from Azarola, right into the meat of the thigh.
Azarola just misses with a punch to the body.
Azarola throws a leg kick that misses.
Azarola throws a lazy uppercut
and Davis counters with a thumping low kick.
Azarola looks to land a right hand but Davis moved out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Azarola. Davis does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zigor Azarola seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Azarola misses with a wild body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azarola checks the leg kick nicely there.
Davis takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davis checks a leg kick.
Davis swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Azarola lands an overhand right.
Davis chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Azarola checks a leg kick nicely.
Azarola tries to clinch
and Azarola takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A big right from Davis misses.
Good work by Davis as he checks the leg kick.
Davis checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Azarola ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Davis swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Davis moves out of range as Azarola strikes.
Azarola fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Davis manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Davis misses with a jab to the body
and Azarola counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Davis checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Azarola scores with a spinning back kick!
Davis throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice defenses there by Davis.
Davis swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Azarola slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Davis swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Azarola tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Davis fires out a quick counter leg kick but Azarola just manages to avoid it.
Davis missing with a left hand there. Azarola was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Davis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Azarola sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Azarola swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Azarola blocks the body kick.
Azarola throws a wild body kick that Davis sees coming a mile off.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zigor Azarola showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Azarola fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bryant Davis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Azarola fails to land with a series of punches.
A little feinted left hand from Davis on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Davis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Azarola.
Davis moves out of range as Azarola strikes.
Davis appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Azarola jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Davis scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Azarola tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Azarola uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Davis.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Davis's jab looks to have found its range, popping Azarola under the eye.
Davis looks to score with a jab to the body but Azarola is just out of range.
Azarola ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Davis moves away.
Azarola misses with a series of wild punches.
An attempted straight right counter from Davis misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Azarola. That's going to slow Davis down.
Azarola staying out of range there.
Azarola goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Azarola throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Davis throws a chopping leg kick but Azarola manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Azarola! But no joy.
Azarola tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Davis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Davis takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Davis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Azarola clinches.
Davis tries to stall but Azarola uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Azarola scores with a shot to the side of Davis's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Davis lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Azarola blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Davis scores with a nice short uppercut.
Davis lands a nice shot to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Azarola.
Azarola taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Azarola throws a head punch that misses.
Azarola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Azarola tries a body shot but Davis blocks it.
Azarola blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Davis is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Azarola is keeping busy.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Davis taking a breather.
Azarola blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Azarola.
Davis fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Davis scores with a nice short uppercut.
Davis lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davis working aggressively here.
Davis blocks a body shot from Azarola.
Azarola misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Azarola.
Davis pushes Azarola back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Azarola misses with a body punch.
Azarola tries a body shot but Davis blocks it.
Davis trying to control the position but instead, Azarola has worked for underhooks and has pushed Davis into the cage.
Davis has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Azarola scores with a shoulder strike.
Davis misses with a short punch on the inside.
Azarola blocks an uppercut.
A short right from Azarola on the inside.
Davis effectively controlling the action here.
Azarola misses with the head strike.
Davis is trying to maintain a safe position but Azarola gets an underhook and turns Davis into the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Davis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azarola is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Azarola makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Davis prevents a body shot from Azarola.
Davis misses with a punch on the inside.
I was talking to Davis's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Davis has Azarola pushed against the cage.
Davis gets through Azarola's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Davis stalling against the cage.
Azarola blocks an uppercut.
Azarola misses with some punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Davis.
A right hook to the body lands for Azarola.
Davis blocks an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Davis.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Azarola.
Still in the clinch, Davis scores with a nice short uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bryant Davis.
I think Azarola 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zigor Azarola!
A very excited looking Zigor Azarola 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.