PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jason Rudd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jason Rudd has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rudd
vs
Azhiev

180 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Outkast Clothing Line

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jason Rudd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anzhor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rudd dodges the punch combination from Azhiev.
Rudd wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rudd looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rudd looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rudd tries to close the distance and clinch but Azhiev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Azhiev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rudd moves away.
Anzhor Azhiev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rudd fails with an attempt to clinch.
Azhiev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rudd moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two 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.

Rudd moves into the clinch.

Azhiev has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rudd uses from the top position.

Azhiev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rudd doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rudd manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rudd postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rudd won't allow Azhiev to get back to his feet.
Rudd has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Azhiev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Azhiev looks gassed!
Azhiev being controlled here, momentarily.
Rudd knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Azhiev on the ground.

Azhiev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rudd controlling from the top position.
Rudd has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jason Rudd.
Azhiev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rudd.
Rudd tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Azhiev was well out of range. Poor timing from Rudd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anzhor Azhiev will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rudd is looking to clinch but Azhiev is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rudd looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rudd wants to clinch up but Azhiev keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rudd tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Azhiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rudd tries to clinch there but Azhiev circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rudd shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rudd was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Azhiev sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Azhiev is looking to escape.
Rudd with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rudd'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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jason Rudd.
Rudd ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Azhiev moves away.
Azhiev tries to land a front kick but Rudd steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rudd moves in looking to clinch but Azhiev pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rudd fails in his attempt to clinch.

Rudd manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Azhiev on his heels. He'll look to pass Azhiev's guard now, I'm sure.

Azhiev working for a triangle but Rudd defends it easily.
Rudd looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev throws his legs up looking for a submission but Rudd uses it to pass to side control.
Rudd controls the position from side control.
Azhiev is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Azhiev is letting Rudd control him for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Rudd dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Rudd is looking to clinch but Azhiev is avoiding it.
Rudd keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Azhiev missing with a left hand there. Rudd was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azhiev misses the shot to the body.
Rudd tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Azhiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jason Rudd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rudd tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Azhiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Anzhor Azhiev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rudd doesn't manage to clinch there - Azhiev circles away.
Rudd tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Azhiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rudd fails in his attempt to clinch.
Azhiev misses the shot 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.
Rudd shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rudd uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Azhiev.
Rudd is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Azhiev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rudd moves in looking to clinch but Azhiev pushes him off.
Rudd tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Azhiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rudd fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rudd fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rudd tries to clinch but Azhiev is having none of it.
Azhiev swats away the attempt to clinch by Rudd.

Rudd drives through and clinches with Azhiev against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Azhiev is working for takedown but Rudd is calmly controlling the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Rudd showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rudd 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Rudd!