PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Azevedo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arman Shaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Azevedo's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Puddle Of Mudd - Psycho . Arman Shaker told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Azevedo
vs
Shaker

179 cm
28
151 lbs
12 - 12 - 2

180 cm
27
182 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thiago Azevedo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arman Shaker!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Shaker. No joy for Azevedo on that attempt.
Azevedo shoots for a takedown but Shaker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Azevedo has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Shaker misses with a low kick.
Shaker checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Azevedo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Azevedo shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Shaker scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Azevedo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shaker is fending him off so far but Azevedo persists. Nope, Shaker circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Azevedo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shaker.
A right-left combo lands from Azevedo.
Azevedo misses with a leg kick.
A lazy left from Azevedo finds it's target.
Azevedo checks a leg kick nicely.
Azevedo blocks the body kick.
Shaker doesn't manage to clinch there - Azevedo circles away.
Azevedo throws a sloppy head kick and Shaker moves out of range easily.
Shaker raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azevedo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Azevedo misses with a low kick.
Azevedo sets himself, and Shaker steps forward looking for the clinch! Azevedo avoids it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaker throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Azevedo takes one to the side of the head.
Shaker scoring well with a low kick there.
Shaker fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Azevedo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Shaker avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Azevedo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Shaker's guard.

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

Shaker sitting in guard here, content to control.
It looks like Shaker might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Shaker is continuing to stall.

Azevedo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shaker is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaker stopping the sweep attempt from Azevedo.
Shaker tries to free his leg and advance position but Azevedo is retaining full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Azevedo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shaker controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Shaker trying to control but Azevedo is working from the bottom.
Azevedo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shaker is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shaker not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaker wants to control from the top but Azevedo keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Azevedo slips a jab from Shaker.
Shaker checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Azevedo darts in looking for a takedown but Shaker gets double underhooks and turns Azevedo into the cage.
Shaker stuffs the takedown.
A bone on bone clash there as Shaker blocks the leg kick.
A combination from Azevedo does no damage.
Shaker tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shaker misses with a kick to the body.
Azevedo throws a leg kick
and Shaker counters with a low kick, right behind Azevedo 's knee.
Azevedo tries a low kick but Shaker avoids it.
Azevedo throws a leg kick
and Shaker counters with a body kick.
No joy there for Azevedo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shaker tries to counter with a clinch but Azevedo shakes him off and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaker throws a body kick that misses.
Shaker scores with a jab to the body.
Shaker throws a head kick that Azevedo semi-blocks.
Azevedo throws a head kick that misses
and Shaker makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Azevedo takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Azevedo is breathing heavily.
Azevedo throws a low kick but Shaker moves out of range easily.
Thiago Azevedo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Azevedo misses.
Shaker swings for the body but Azevedo moves out of range.
Shaker throws a nice outside leg kick.
Shaker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Azevedo.
Azevedo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shaker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Despite the aggression on Shaker's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Azevedo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Azevedo throws a leg kick but Shaker sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Shaker comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Shaker is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Azevedo rather than just go for the knockout.
Shaker moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arman Shaker dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Azevedo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shaker tries to avoid it but Azevedo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shaker to the ground. Shaker escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Shaker checks a low kick from Azevedo.
Azevedo misses with a wild combination.
As Azevedo backs off Shaker throws a huge counter combo but Azevedo manages to avoid it all.
Azevedo misses with a low kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Azevedo 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 Shaker has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Shaker and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Shaker scores with a kick to the midsection.
Shaker throws the kick towards the body but Azevedo avoids it.
Shaker misses with a wild body shot.
Shaker lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Azevedo misses with a two punch combination.
Shaker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Shaker.
Azevedo misses with a combination

and Shaker moves into the clinch.
A short uppercut from Shaker.

Azevedo breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo throws a head kick that misses.
Azevedo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shaker lands with a shot to the body.
Shaker looks to land a combination but Azevedo avoids it well.
Shaker pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Azevedo.
Shaker drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Azevedo defends it well.
Shaker misses with a wild body shot.
Shaker is looking to clinch but Azevedo is avoiding it.
Shaker connects with an inside leg kick.
Azevedo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Azevedo misses with a double jab.
Shaker lands a nice looking body kick.
Shaker turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Azevedo shoots in looking for a takedown but Shaker manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Azevedo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Shaker doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shaker slaps away a takedown attempt from Azevedo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Azevedo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shaker can pounce on him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azevedo tests Shaker's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Azevedo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shaker swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Shaker takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Azevedo blocks a leg kick.
Shaker keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Shaker throws a solid leg kick but Azevedo takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Shaker.
Azevedo has a takedown stuffed.
Azevedo throws a right hand that Shaker ducks under and follows up with a left that Shaker also avoids with ease.
Azevedo throws a head kick but Shaker moves out of range.
Shaker feints a counter leg kick.
Shaker throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Azevedo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Arman Shaker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Azevedo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Shaker. That did some damage!
Azevedo dives in and grabs Shaker's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shaker pushes down on Azevedo's head and hops out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Azevedo misses the target.
Shaker is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Azevedo with a body shot.
Shaker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Azevedo as he jumps to the side.
Shaker ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Shaker lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Shaker lands a body punch in the clinch.
Shaker drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Azevedo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Shaker makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo dodges an elbow strike from Shaker.

Shaker turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Shaker manages to end up in side control.
Azevedo is trying to work for a sweep but Shaker has mounted him!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azevedo is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Shaker with good strikes from the mount here!
Shaker sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Let's hope that Shaker 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.
Azevedo is looking to improve his position but Shaker isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arman Shaker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Azevedo darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Shaker wants to control but Azevedo is keeping busy.
Shaker gets full guard.
Azevedo preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Azevedo has gone for a leg lock! Shaker slips out almost immediately though and dives into Azevedo's guard.

Shaker tries to free his leg and advance position but Azevedo is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo keeping moving, preventing Shaker from controlling successfully.

Azevedo is looking for a triangle but Shaker pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shaker sitting in guard here, content to control.
Shaker preventing the sweep.
Shaker sitting in guard here, content to control.
Azevedo is looking to sweep but instead, Shaker has passed into half guard.
Shaker has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Shaker content just to control the position here.
Thiago Azevedo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Shaker landing shots from mount.
Azevedo can't escape the position.
Shaker sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Azevedo is trying to escape the mount.
Shaker sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Shaker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo tries to reverse the position but Shaker maintains control.
Shaker sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
My spies in Koru MMA inform me that Shaker has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Arman Shaker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shaker with the ground and pound from mount.
Azevedo is working to get back to half guard.
Shaker lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Arman Shaker is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shaker controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo is trying to escape the mount.
Shaker tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Shaker can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Azevedo is looking to escape.
Shaker content just to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Azevedo is looking to get to half guard.
Shaker sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arman Shaker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shaker 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arman Shaker!