PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hamza Aspallan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alikai Drustav (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hamza Aspallan has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Aspallan
vs
Drustav

184 cm
19
184 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

192 cm
22
188 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hamza Aspallan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alikai Drustav!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Ivan Kurochkin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drustav tries to clinch but Aspallan moves out of range.
Aspallan looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Drustav scores with a punch to the head.
Drustav is looking to clinch.
A head kick misses from Drustav.
Drustav connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Aspallan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Drustav tries to avoid it but Aspallan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Drustav to the ground. Drustav escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Drustav cracks Aspallan with an open hand slap.
Drustav tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Drustav uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Aspallan dodges the punch combination from Drustav.
Drustav is looking to clinch but Aspallan is avoiding it.
Drustav tries to clinch but Aspallan moves out of range.
Drustav bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Aspallan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Aspallan 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.
Drustav wants to get back to his feet but Aspallan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aspallan trying to control but Drustav is working from the bottom.
Drustav is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aspallan's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Drustav scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Drustav tries to clinch up.
Drustav keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Drustav pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alikai Drustav seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Left hook, right uppercut from Drustav.
A leg kick checked by Aspallan.
Drustav scores with a crisp jab that stopped Aspallan in his tracks.
Drustav lunges at Aspallan with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Aspallan's hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Drustav darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Aspallan needs to keep his hands up - Drustav had a free shot at his head there.
Drustav moves in looking to clinch but Aspallan pushes him off.
Drustav throws a sloppy head kick and Aspallan moves out of range easily.
Nice takedown defense from Drustav. No joy for Aspallan on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hamza Aspallan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jab, jab by Drustav - just one landing.
Drustav lands a jab.
Drustav tries to close the distance and clinch up but Aspallan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Drustav might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drustav tries a low kick but Aspallan avoids it.

Drustav takes the fight into the clinch.
Drustav wants to get back to striking at distance but Aspallan won't allow it.
Drustav has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Drustav scores with a nice hook to the head.
Drustav has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Drustav is trying to break free.
Drustav has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Still in the clinch, Drustav scores with a nice short uppercut.
Aspallan trying to control the position but instead, Drustav has worked for underhooks and has pushed Aspallan into the cage.
Drustav lands with a short shot to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Drustav.
Drustav is trying to break the clinch but Aspallan has him pressed against the cage.
Drustav scores with a shoulder strike.
Drustav can't break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Drustav's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Drustav tries to circle away but Aspallan has him pinned against the cage.
A short right from Drustav on the inside.
Drustav lands a right hand.
Drustav lands with a short shot to the head.
Drustav is looking to break free of the clinch but Aspallan has double underhooks.
Drustav presses Aspallan against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Drustav tries to circle away but Aspallan has him pinned against the cage.
Drustav is trying to break the clinch but Aspallan is controlling him.
Drustav lands a nice uppercut.
Drustav throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Drustav is trying to break the clinch but Aspallan has him pressed against the cage.
Aspallan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A frustrated look appears on Drustav's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Drustav makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Aspallan keeps control of Drustav as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Aspallan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drustav's efforts to push away.
Drustav is trying to break the clinch but Aspallan is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alikai Drustav dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Drustav wants to clinch up but Aspallan keeps it at a distance.
Drustav smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Drustav tries to clinch but Aspallan moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Drustav looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aspallan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Drustav wants to clinch but Aspallan slips to the side

and Aspallan counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Aspallan is looking to take a break and control but Drustav is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Drustav pushes Aspallan off looking to stand but Aspallan dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Drustav tries to clinch but Aspallan moves away

and Aspallan counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Drustav's guard now.
Drustav is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aspallan is controlling him.
Aspallan 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.
Drustav is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aspallan trying to control the position from guard on top but Drustav is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Drustav can do anything to dispel that myth.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Drustav moves into the clinch successfully.
Drustav presses Aspallan against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Drustav wants to get back to striking at distance but Aspallan won't allow it.
Drustav lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Aspallan backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Drustav.
Drustav wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aspallan has him pressed against the cage.
Drustav is trying to force a seperation but Aspallan has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drustav working hard to break the clinch.
Aspallan keeps control of Drustav as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Drustav lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Aspallan backwards.

Drustav breaks the clinch.

Aspallan closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Drustav tries to escape but Aspallan is in control.
Aspallan wants to control but Drustav is keeping him busy.
Drustav is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Drustav is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Drustav tries to clinch there but Aspallan circles away.

Drustav drives through and clinches with Aspallan against the cage.
Drustav wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aspallan has him pressed against the cage.
Aspallan has Drustav pressed against the cage, preventing Drustav from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Drustav lands a body shot in the clinch.
Drustav tries to break the clinch but Aspallan is controlling the position.
Drustav prevents a takedown attempt there.
A body shot lands from Drustav.
Aspallan tries for a takedown but Drustav manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hamza Aspallan dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Drustav throws a right and a left that both miss.
Drustav works Aspallan's body with a nice hook.
Drustav tries to clinch there but Aspallan circles away.

Drustav fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Aspallan, pushing him back against the cage.
Drustav tries to break the clinch but Aspallan is controlling the position.
Drustav working aggressively here.
Aspallan has Drustav pressed against the cage, preventing Drustav from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Drustav is trying to force a seperation but Aspallan has the dominant position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aspallan.
Drustav working hard to break the clinch.
Drustav working hard to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drustav lands a right hand.
Drustav wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Drustav wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Drustav is trying to break the clinch but Aspallan has him pressed against the cage.
Drustav is looking to break free of the clinch but Aspallan has double underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Drustav is trying to force a seperation but Aspallan has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aspallan tries to score a body lock takedown but Drustav shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short left from Drustav.
Aspallan looking for a takedown.
Aspallan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drustav's efforts to push away.
Drustav has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A nice right hand lands inside from Drustav.
Drustav is trying to break the clinch but Aspallan has him pressed against the cage.
Drustav lands with a light punch inside.
Aspallan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drustav's efforts to push away.
Aspallan is working for takedown but Drustav is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hamza Aspallan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Drustav working hard to break the clinch.
Drustav lands with a short shot to the head.
Drustav has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Aspallan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drustav's efforts to push away.
Drustav tries to circle away but Aspallan has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Drustav tries to circle away but Aspallan has him pinned against the cage.
Drustav has had enough of the clinch but Aspallan keeps him there for the moment.
Still in the clinch, Drustav scores with a nice short uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Drustav.
Aspallan keeps control of Drustav as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Drustav working hard to break the clinch.
Drustav is looking to break free of the clinch but Aspallan has double underhooks.
Drustav gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aspallan.
A short right from Drustav on the inside.
Drustav lands an uppercut.
Drustav lands a left hand that snaps the head of Aspallan backwards.
Aspallan tries for a takedown. No joy.
Drustav is trying to force a seperation but Aspallan has the dominant position.
Drustav lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drustav lands with a short shot to the head.
Drustav tries to break the clinch but Aspallan is controlling the position.
Drustav working hard to break the clinch.
Drustav pushes Aspallan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Drustav lands a right hand that snaps the head of Aspallan backwards.
Drustav lands a right hand.
Drustav wants to get back to striking at distance but Aspallan won't allow it.
Drustav lands a right hand that snaps the head of Aspallan backwards.
Drustav tries to circle away but Aspallan has him pinned against the cage.
Drustav wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short right from Drustav on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Drustav.
Drustav tries to break the clinch but Aspallan is controlling the position.
Aspallan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Drustav avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Aspallan blocks the elbow strike.
A frustrated look appears on Drustav's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Drustav lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Drustav wants to get back to striking at distance but Aspallan won't allow it.
Drustav tries to break free but Aspallan pushes him back against the cage.
Aspallan keeps control of Drustav as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Aspallan looking for a takedown.
Drustav is pressed up against the cage. Aspallan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Drustav down to the mat. Drustav avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Aspallan takes one to the side of the head.
Drustav tries to clinch up

and Aspallan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Drustav's guard.
Aspallan controls from within his opponent's guard.
Drustav wants to stand but Aspallan is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aspallan is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hamza Aspallan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Aspallan 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hamza Aspallan!