PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leroy Bater (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilham Aliyev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aliyev has chosen Why Can't We Be Friends? as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Bater
vs
Aliyev

190 cm
26
199 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

185 cm
28
185 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

- The Red Eye - Q158 for $100
- The Red Eye - Q158 for $100

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leroy Bater!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ilham Aliyev!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Valeri Chadov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bater digs a good body shot into Aliyev's ribs.
Aliyev lands with a shot to the body.
Aliyev slips a jab and a cross from Bater.
Bater looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bater swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Aliyev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bater darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A slow jab from Bater misses its intended target.
Bater misses with a few strikes there.
A slow jab from Bater misses its intended target.
A jab from Bater does it's job there.
Aliyev lands with a cross.
Aliyev throws a lazy right hand but Bater sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bater throws a body punch but Aliyev moves out of range.
Aliyev blocks a jab.
Bater avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bater misses the jab.
Bater takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bater misses with the combination.

Aliyev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bater did well to prevent Aliyev getting side control.
Aliyev is thwarting Bater's attempts to control the position.

Aliyev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bater has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bater works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aliyev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bater wants to get back to his feet but Aliyev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Aliyev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Bater manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Aliyev has Bater in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev keeping moving, preventing Bater from controlling successfully.
Bater thows a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aliyev is looking for a triangle but Bater pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aliyev looking to control.
Bater not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Aliyev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bater loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bater being controlled here momentarily.
Let's hope that Aliyev has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bater takes a swing at Aliyev's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Leroy Bater will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Aliyev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bater throws a hook but Aliyev blocks it.
Bater throws a jab but it's blocked by Aliyev.
Bater throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Aliyev swings away with a body shot that misses
and Bater counters with a right hand to the body.
Bater throws a body punch but Aliyev moves out of range.
Bater looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bater keeps the fight on the outside.
Aliyev throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bater looks to score with a jab to the body but Aliyev is just out of range.
Bater throws a right and a left that Aliyev avoids nicely.
Bater uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Aliyev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aliyev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aliyev tries to clinch up but Bater circles away and keeps his distance.
Aliyev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bater moves out of range of the leg kick from Aliyev.
Bater moves out of range as Aliyev strikes.
Aliyev throws a hook to the side of Bater's head but Bater sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Aliyev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bater.
Bater misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Aliyev to counter with a crisp jab.
Bater keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bater tries to clinch but Aliyev moves away
and Aliyev counters with a nice uppercut.
Aliyev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bater misses with an uppercut. Aliyev saw that one coming.
Aliyev just misses with a punch to the body.

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.
Bater slips a jab from Aliyev.
Bater avoids the body shot from Aliyev.

Bater gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Bater pulls Aliyev in close to prevent any damage.
Bater looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev trying to control but Bater is working from the bottom.
Bater tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aliyev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bater trying to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Aliyev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bater swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bater pulls Aliyev in close to prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Leroy Bater.
Aliyev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aliyev does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aliyev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bater but Bater pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bater throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ilham Aliyev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bater takes a swing at Aliyev's ribcage but misses.
Aliyev slips a straight right by Bater.
A big left from Bater misses.
Bater closes the distance but Aliyev moves to the side
and Aliyev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Aliyev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bater defends it nicely.
Leroy Bater seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aliyev moves out of range as Bater strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bater jabs Aliyev right on the nose. Aliyev blinks but takes it well.

Aliyev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bater to the mat! Bater manages to get full guard.
Aliyev throwing strikes from guard but Bater blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bater utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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.
Aliyev keeping moving, preventing Bater from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aliyev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bater content to stall in guard here.
Bater has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bater trying to control but Aliyev is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Leroy Bater wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Aliyev slips under a jab from Bater.
Aliyev blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bater throws out the jab.
Aliyev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Aliyev swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bater.
Bater misses with an uppercut. Aliyev saw that one coming.
Bater misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bater keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aliyev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Aliyev slips under a jab.
Aliyev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bater moves out of range as Aliyev strikes.
Bater fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aliyev manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bater throws a body punch but Aliyev moves out of range.
Bater jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Aliyev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bater.
Aliyev thows a body shot but no joy.
Bater throws a sloppy body shot
and Aliyev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aliyev misses with a straight left.
Aliyev misses with a looping left.
Aliyev lands a right hook to the body.
Bater cracks Aliyev with a good jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aliyev misses with a leg kick.
Bater scores with a three punch combo!
A jab lands there for Bater.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leroy Bater clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nice shot by Aliyev.
Aliyev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bater.
Aliyev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A big right from Bater misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Aliyev 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 Bater has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bater and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Aliyev misses the shot to the body.
Aliyev moves forwards but Bater connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Aliyev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bater.
Bater throws a left and a right that both miss
and Aliyev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bater throws a hook but Aliyev avoids it easily.
Bater jabs Aliyev right on the nose. Aliyev blinks but takes it well.
Bater ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bater lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aliyev circles away quickly and effectively.
Bater ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Aliyev moves out of range as Bater strikes.
Bater lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Aliyev misses with a takedown attempt - Bater sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bater misses with a combination

and Aliyev counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Aliyev is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bater is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bater has escaped and now he's on top!
Bater is looking to work some ground and pound but Aliyev has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev 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.
Aliyev is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bater looking to sit in guard and control but Aliyev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Aliyev tries to free his leg and advance position but Bater is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev wants to control from the top but Bater keeps moving.
Bater looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aliyev is one step ahead there.
Aliyev is fighting to break Bater's control of his arms but Bater is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Aliyev postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bater is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Aliyev, into his guard.
Aliyev looking for a sweep. Not yet Aliyev, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Leroy Bater will probably get the nod.
That's time! Bater's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Bater fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aliyev manages to avoid it.
Bater misses with a hook to the body
and Aliyev counters with a nice uppercut.
Aliyev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bater was well out of range. Poor timing from Aliyev.
Nice uppercut lands for Bater. That snapped Aliyev's head back.
Aliyev misses with a hook. Bater ducked under it nicely.
Aliyev staying out of range there.
Bater fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aliyev manages to avoid it.
Bater moves out of range of the leg kick from Aliyev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bater on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Aliyev misses with a looping left.
Bater dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Aliyev moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bater tries to circle away but Aliyev has him pinned against the cage.
Bater takes a knee to the side of the body.
Aliyev lands a knee to the body.
Bater avoiding damage as Aliyev throws knees to the body.
Aliyev tries to score a body lock takedown but Bater shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bater scores with a shot to the side of Aliyev's head.
Bater taking a breather.
Bater scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bater gets underhooks to prevent Aliyev's takedown attempt.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bater makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bater has had enough of the clinch but Aliyev keeps him there for the moment.
Bater looking to slow down the pace here.
Aliyev tries to land a knee to the head but Bater blocks with his arms.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Aliyev has Bater pressed against the cage, preventing Bater from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Aliyev tries to pull guard but Bater won't allow it.
Ilham Aliyev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leroy Bater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ilham Aliyev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev jumps guard but Bater stands there with Aliyev around his waist. Aliyev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bater.
A short right from Bater on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Bater scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bater lands an uppercut.
Bater throws a head punch that misses.
Aliyev misses with an elbow strike.

Bater breaks the clinch.
Bater works the jab nicely.
Bater tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aliyev swivels and escapes.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bater misses the body punch
and Aliyev counters with a left to the body.
Aliyev keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bater throws a predictable looking body shot
and Aliyev counters with a left to the body.
Bater stuffs the takedown.
Bater takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aliyev tries to clinch up but Bater circles away and keeps his distance.
Bater swings for the body but Aliyev moves out of range.
Bater lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Bater throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aliyev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aliyev misses with a hook to the body
and Bater counters with a two punch combo.
A swing and a miss from Bater.
Aliyev misses the jab.
Bater fails to land the takedown.
Aliyev misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bater misses the jab.
Bater takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Leroy Bater is winning the standup battle so far.
Aliyev thows a leg kick but Bater checks it
and Bater counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aliyev looks for a takedown but Bater sprawls well.
Aliyev misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bater. Aliyev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bater circles away from the clinch attempt.
Aliyev takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Aliyev paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ilham Aliyev.
I think Bater 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 48:48
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 49:47
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Leroy Bater retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!