PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chris Render (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Albert Azag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Azag has chosen Pop bottles as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Render
vs
Azag

185 cm
23
171 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
19
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chris Render!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Albert Azag!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azag ducks under a wild hook from Render.
Render shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Azag sprawls well. Azag wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Render gets slowly back to his feet.
Azag scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Render swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Azag counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Azag connects with a couple of short punches.
Azag has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Render keeping full guard, as Azag tries to pass.
Render is looking to stand up but Azag isn't so interested in that idea.

Azag gets to his feet - Render follows without any prompting.
Render looks to land a combination. Azag sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Render pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Render misses with a takedown attempt

and Azag counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Azag.

Render manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Render throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Azag counters with a two punch combo.
Render walks into a jab.
Render doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Azag counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Render. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azag is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Render sees it coming and defends easily.
Azag looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Render is trying to stand back up but Azag is controlling him
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Render avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Azag.
Azag looks gassed!
Azag prevents Render from improving his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Azag lands a nice short elbow.
Render moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Azag prevents Render from getting back to his feet.
Render 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.

Render wriggles free and stands up.
Render with a poor takedown

and Azag counters with a single leg into guard. Render didn't expect that.
Render wants to stand up but Azag is controlling him.
Azag postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Azag throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Render works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Render is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Azag looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Render looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Azag stops Render from standing up.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Render has his feet on Azag's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Azag moves out of range as Render throws a body kick.
A jab from Render finds it's way through Azag's defenses.
Azag moves out of range of the strikes.
Azag moves out of range of the body kick.
Azag defending well as Render loads up on a big left hand.
Render stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Azag fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Render fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Azag sprawls well initially but Render persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azag trying to control from the bottom.
Render wants to lay and pray for a moment but Azag keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Render stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Azag to get to his feet.
Render tries for a takedown but Azag circles away easily

and Azag counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Render's guard now.

Azag drops back looking for a leg! Render is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Render manages to kick Azag off! Azag jumps back into Render's guard.

Render manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Render misses with an uppercut. Azag saw that one coming.
Render lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Azag circles away quickly and effectively.
Azag defending well as Render loads up on a big left hand.

Render decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Azag taking some punishment here, with Render in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Render decides to return to a standing position.
Render misses with a body kick.
Render rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Azag moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Render connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Render misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Azag drops his hands momentarily and Render takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jab, jab by Render - just one landing.
Render scores with a jab to the jaw.
Render delivers a nice body kick.
Render tries a low kick but Azag avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Render throws a series of strikes that have Azag backpedaling.
A solid body kick from Render.
Render scores with a jab.
A thudding body kick lands there by Render!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Azag dominated that round.
That's time! Render's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Azag keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Render.
Chris Render seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Render.
Render throws a front kick that sends Azag stumbling back into the cage.
Render thumps Azag with a low kick.
Render throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Render will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Azag tries to close the distance and clinch but Render swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Render throws a front kick aimed at Azag's knee but Azag avoids it well.
Render swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A good leg kick by Render.
Render shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Azag as he jumps to the side.
Render lands with a right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Render.
Azag is breathing heavily.
Render lands with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Render lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Azag backs up against the cage.
Chris Render is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Azag ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Render misses with a straight right.
Render avoids a punch combination nicely.
Azag takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Azag staying out of range there.
Render connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Render - that will leave a mark!
Render lands with a kick to the ribs.
Azag moves out of range as Render strikes.
Azag walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
No luck for Render with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Render. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Render throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Render misses with a takedown attempt

and Azag counters with a nice double leg into side control. Render won't be happy with that.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Render explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Render shoots in for a takedown but Azag shows good takedown defense.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Render - that will leave a mark!
Azag moves away from the strike by Render.
Render looks to land a left hand but Azag moved out of range nicely.
Render misses with a wild combination.

Render 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.

Render decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Azag slips a jab from Render.
Render looks to throw the jab but Azag is out of range.
Azag throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Render.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azag takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Render stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Render scores with a nice strike.
Good standup being displayed there by Render as he connects with a hook.
Chris Render is winning the standup battle so far.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Render.
Render rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Azag moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Azag ducks under a wild hook from Render.
Azag moves forwards but Render connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Render shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Render stands and steps away. Azag gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Nice jab there from Render.

Render shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Azag napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Azag is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Render cracks Azag with a big elbow.

Render decides to take the fight back to the feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Render throws a nice looking combination but Azag bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Render tries for a takedown but Azag sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Render misses with a leg kick.

Azag gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Render to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Render controls from within his opponent's guard.
Azag utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Azag is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Render passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Render dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Azag takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Azag steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Render. That one must have hurt.
Render shoots in and drives through. Azag sprawls well.
Render feints and then cracks Azag's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Azag down.
A big right from Render misses.

Render looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Render postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Azag to stand up.
Azag throws a series of punches but Render avoids them all with ease.
Render throws an overhand right that lands on Azag's shoulder, as Azag tries to avoid the shot.
Render lands with a hook. Azag tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Render with a hook.
Azag has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Render.
Render scores with a punch to the head.
Render connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Azag takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Render, right into the meat.
Render works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Render lands with a cross.
Azag checks a leg kick.
Render throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Render.

Render shoots in and bounces Azag off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Azag will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Render decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Azag leaves Render with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Render. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Render shoots in for a takedown but Azag shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azag throws a nice looking combination but Render bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Azag steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Render. That one must have hurt.
Azag moves out of range as Render throws a body kick.
Azag moves away from the strike by Render.
Azag slips a jab and a cross from Render.
Render explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Render lands with an uppercut that bounces Azag off the cage and back into rage.
A solid leg kick lands there for Render.

Render looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Render escapes and gets back to his feet.
Render lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Render.
Render cracks Azag with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Render.
Render is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Azag shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Render getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Render clobbers Azag with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Render misses with a few strikes there.
Render misses with a straight left.

Render darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Render decides to stand and escape the position.

Render darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Render stands up and beckons Azag to join him on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Render swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Render tries to score a power double leg takedown but Azag sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Render somewhat.
The fighters circling - Render throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice takedown defense from Azag. No joy for Render on that attempt.
Render fails with a takedown attempt.
Render scores with the left hand. Azag knows he should have avoided that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Render misses with a takedown attempt - Azag sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Render looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Azag is fending him off so far but Render persists. Nope, Azag circles away and we're back to standing.
Azag shoots in for a double leg but Render sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Render showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Render has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Render!