PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Josh Acton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toghrul Asgarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Toghrul Asgarov will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Acton
vs
Asgarov

160 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

172 cm
18
139 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Can Moonwalk

Acton Nutrition Company

Soul Supremacy Nutrition (90% laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh Acton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Toghrul Asgarov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Asgarov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Acton on his heels. He'll look to pass Acton's guard now, I'm sure.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Acton working a defensive guard here.
Asgarov preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Acton trying to keep a closed guard but Asgarov is proving a slippery customer.
Asgarov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Asgarov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Acton looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Acton 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.
Acton could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Asgarov content to stall in guard here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Asgarov stuffs the takedown attempt from Acton. Acton gets slowly back to his feet.
Acton fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Acton.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Acton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Asgarov.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Asgarov working the head with strikes.
Asgarov wants to control but Acton is keeping him busy.
Asgarov grinds an elbow into Acton's temple.
Acton stops Asgarov from passing to mount.
Acton on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Acton tries to get out of the position.
Asgarov trying to control the action but Acton is working from the bottom.
Acton is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asgarov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Asgarov taking a break here but Acton is having none of it and regains half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Asgarov trying to control the pace.
Asgarov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Asgarov throwing shots but Acton is blocking nicely.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Asgarov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Acton is looking for a sweep. Asgarov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Acton trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Asgarov lands a nice short elbow.
Asgarov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Asgarov prevents Acton from improving his position.
Asgarov thows a huge punch but Acton dodges it nicely.
Acton gets full guard.
Asgarov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Asgarov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Asgarov throws a big right hand that misses.
Asgarov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Acton works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Asgarov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Asgarov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Asgarov is in close to Acton's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Acton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Acton is breathing heavily.
Asgarov postures up and lands a big shot to Acton's brow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asgarov sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Acton is controlling Asgarov's posture.
Asgarov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Asgarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Asgarov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Asgarov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Asgarov pushes down on Acton's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Acton wants to improve his position but Asgarov is controlling well.
Asgarov lands strikes from half guard.
Asgarov wants to control but Acton is keeping him busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Asgarov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Acton knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Asgarov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Acton is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toghrul Asgarov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Acton gets caught napping as Asgarov dives in and scores a takedown. Acton manages to retain guard.
Asgarov postures up in Acton's guard and throws a big left but Acton blocks it.
Asgarov is looking to work some ground and pound but Acton has wrist control.
Asgarov postures up and lands a big shot to Acton's brow.
Acton 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.
Toghrul Asgarov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Asgarov tries to stand but Acton is controlling from the bottom.
Acton avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Asgarov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Asgarov trying to control but Acton is working from the bottom.
Acton trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Asgarov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Acton!
Acton is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Asgarov lands a few punches from side control.
Acton is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Asgarov off and has taken his back!
Asgarov covering up well under a series of strikes from Acton.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Acton is hanging on to Asgarov's back as he tries to escape.
Acton is trying to stick to Asgarov's back but Asgarov is turning into Acton. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Acton's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Asgarov.

Asgarov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Acton bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Asgarov's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asgarov has Acton pulled in close to control his posture.
Asgarov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Acton throws a strike but Asgarov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Asgarov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Acton keeping full guard, as Asgarov tries to pass.
Acton wants to sweep but no luck.
Asgarov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Acton might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asgarov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Acton struggling a bit here.
Asgarov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
The referee asks Asgarov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Asgarov prefers to stall for the moment though.
Asgarov working the ground and pound.
Acton is trying to control Asgarov's posture but Asgarov avoids it.

Asgarov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Asgarov tries to score with some ground and pound. Acton controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Asgarov cracks Acton with a big elbow.
Asgarov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Acton is looking for a sweep.
Asgarov scoring with punches and elbows.
Asgarov working the head with strikes.
Asgarov working the ground and pound.
Asgarov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Acton keeps working.
Acton tries to bench press Asgarov off him but Asgarov keeps the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Acton takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Asgarov is working Acton over with some ground and pound from side control.
Asgarov scores with punches from side control.
Asgarov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Asgarov scores with a couple of short elbows.

Asgarov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toghrul Asgarov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Asgarov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Acton sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Acton is staying active underneath Asgarov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Asgarov lands with a punch from half guard.
Asgarov lands with a punch from half guard.
Asgarov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Acton wants to get back to full guard.
Asgarov is nestled in close to Acton, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Asgarov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Acton tries to get to full guard but Asgarov has control of the leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Acton manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Acton keeping moving, preventing Asgarov from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asgarov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Asgarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Asgarov works over Acton with some ground and pound from guard.
Asgarov stopping the sweep attempt from Acton.
Asgarov pushes down on Acton's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Asgarov is nestled in close to Acton, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Acton tries to roll over but Asgarov keeps him under control.
Acton regains full guard. Nicely done.
Asgarov postures up in Acton's guard and throws a big left but Acton blocks it.
Acton has momentary wrist control but Asgarov slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asgarov chips away with some ground and pound.
Acton trying to keep a closed guard but Asgarov is proving a slippery customer.
Asgarov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Acton's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Acton 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.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Asgarov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Asgarov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Acton's head.
Asgarov lands a couple of digs.
Asgarov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Asgarov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Asgarov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Asgarov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Asgarov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asgarov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Asgarov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Asgarov lands a couple of elbows.
Asgarov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Asgarov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Asgarov looking to pass the guard.
Asgarov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Asgarov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Acton looking to control.
Asgarov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Asgarov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Acton working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Asgarov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Asgarov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asgarov postures up.
Asgarov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Acton 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.
Asgarov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Asgarov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Asgarov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Acton's head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Asgarov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Asgarov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Acton utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Asgarov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Asgarov postures up and lands a big shot to Acton's brow.
Asgarov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Josh Acton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Toghrul Asgarov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Asgarov lands a couple of elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toghrul Asgarov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Asgarov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toghrul Asgarov!
After winning the bout, Toghrul Asgarov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.