PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Khamzat Aliyev (ranked 3531 p4p, 3323 weight class) and Tristan Sandoval (ranked 188 p4p, 174 weight class). Tristan Sandoval has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Aliyev
vs
Sandoval

190 cm
25
290
1 - 0 - 0

210 cm
25
300
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Khamzat Aliyev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tristan Sandoval!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, David Hoff and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sandoval moves in looking to clinch but Aliyev pushes him off.

Sandoval closes the distance and clinches.
Aliyev tries for a takedown but Sandoval manages to get underhooks.
Aliyev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sandoval throws a punch but it's blocked by Aliyev.
Aliyev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sandoval is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khamzat Aliyev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sandoval breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aliyev looks to land a left hand but Sandoval moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aliyev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sandoval.
Sandoval walks into a stiff left hand from Aliyev.
Aliyev definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Aliyev misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Sandoval misses.

Aliyev scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Aliyev prevents Sandoval from improving his position.
Aliyev not doing much here.
Aliyev's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Aliyev connects with a nice short shot to Sandoval's temple.
Sandoval won't allow Aliyev to pass to mount.
Sandoval gets back to full guard.
Aliyev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Aliyev prevents Sandoval from getting back to his feet.
Sandoval being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aliyev is controlling him.
Sandoval is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Aliyev sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sandoval misses with a two punch combination.

Aliyev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aliyev is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sandoval!
Sandoval is trying to escape the mount.
Sandoval is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev controlling the position easily from mount.
Further stalling from Aliyev.
Sandoval tries to reverse the position but Aliyev maintains control.
Aliyev really is a fat lump.
Aliyev controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sandoval really wants to buck Aliyev off and get back to his feet.
Aliyev looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sandoval is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aliyev controlling from the full mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Aliyev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Aliyev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sandoval is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Aliyev works over Sandoval with some ground and pound from guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sandoval can do anything to dispel that myth.
Aliyev sitting in guard here, content to control.
Aliyev distracts Sandoval with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sandoval is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sandoval being controlled here, momentarily.
Aliyev won't allow Sandoval to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aliyev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Aliyev slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sandoval pushes Aliyev away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Aliyev gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Sandoval is looking to reverse the position.
Aliyev working the ground and pound.
Sandoval is looking for a sweep.
Aliyev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sandoval can do to turn this around?
Sandoval is letting Aliyev control him for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval is trying to improve his position.
Sandoval trying to remain calm as Aliyev controls from the top position.
Sandoval is looking to reverse the position.
Sandoval is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Sandoval is trying to escape back to his feet but Aliyev uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Khamzat Aliyev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sandoval is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Aliyev is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Aliyev content just to control the position here.
Aliyev fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Aliyev raining down hammerfists from mount.
Aliyev lands a nice shot to the head.
Sandoval looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Aliyev takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Aliyev postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sandoval looks a forlorn figure.
Aliyev tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval tries to hold on but Aliyev pushes him away.
Sandoval is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Aliyev landing strikes from the mount and Sandoval is in trouble!
Sandoval tries to reverse the position but Aliyev maintains control.
Aliyev lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sandoval is wriggling around trying to escape.
Aliyev tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khamzat Aliyev dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Aliyev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sandoval pushes Aliyev off looking to stand but Aliyev dives back in and keeps control.
Sandoval is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sandoval looks like he's trying to stand up.
Aliyev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aliyev keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Sandoval taking some punishment here, with Aliyev in his half guard.
Aliyev moves nicely into side control.
Sandoval wants to get back to his feet but Aliyev drags him back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aliyev just content to control the position.
Aliyev grinds an elbow into Sandoval's temple.
Sandoval is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Aliyev asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Sandoval is trying to escape the position but Aliyev is controlling the position.
Aliyev working the ground and pound.
Aliyev controls the position.
Sandoval is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Aliyev has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Sandoval sneaks back into half guard.
Tristan Sandoval has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval pushes Aliyev off looking to stand but Aliyev dives back in and keeps control.
Nice strikes from Aliyev there.
Sandoval is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Aliyev controlling the action here.
Aliyev working over Sandoval with some ground and pound. Sandoval looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sandoval is looking for a sweep. Aliyev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Aliyev wants to pass to mount but Sandoval is defending the position.
Aliyev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sandoval with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev not doing much here.
Sandoval has hold of Aliyev's hands but Aliyev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Aliyev is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Sandoval looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sandoval tries to get to full guard but Aliyev has control of the leg.
Aliyev sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four 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.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sandoval.

It looks like Khamzat Aliyev has been cut.

Aliyev shoots in and bounces Sandoval off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Sandoval uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Aliyev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sandoval avoids it really well and circles away.
Aliyev throws a solid leg kick but Sandoval takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Aliyev.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sandoval misses the shot to the body.
Sandoval fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Aliyev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sandoval is trying to defend but Aliyev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sandoval tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Aliyev manages to move to mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Tristan Sandoval comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Aliyev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khamzat Aliyev!
A very excited looking Khamzat Aliyev 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.