PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jon Larkin (ranked 3833 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alkji Azhii (ranked 7478 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Larkin
vs
Azhii

185 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jon Larkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alkji Azhii!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larkin lands a head kick!
Larkin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Larkin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Azhii sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Larkin goes for a double leg but Azhii avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Azhii continues to drive forward.

Azhii clinches.

Larkin jumps into guard, dragging Azhii to the mat.
Larkin pulls Azhii in close to prevent any damage.
Larkin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Azhii looking to pass the guard.
Azhii stopping the sweep attempt from Larkin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larkin managing to control the position.
Larkin working a defensive guard here.
Larkin really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Azhii has passed into side control.
Larkin is looking for a sweep.
Larkin misses with a strike from the bottom.
Azhii with the ground and pound but Larkin regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Azhii with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Azhii moves into full mount! Larkin won't be happy about that!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Azhii looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larkin is squirming around, avoiding Azhii's attempts to control the action.
Poor strikes thrown by Azhii there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Larkin regains half guard.
Larkin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Azhii's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Azhii's back!

Larkin looking for the choke from the back.
Azhii rolls, trying to escape but Larkin keeps control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Azhii just trying to survive but Larkin is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Larkin tries to keep control of the position but Azhii is staying busy.
Azhii trying to control but not successfully.

Larkin is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Larkin tries to keep control of the position but Azhii is staying busy.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azhii trying to control the position but Larkin manages to sink in the hooks.

Larkin patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Larkin is hanging on to Azhii's back as he tries to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Larkin dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Azhii shoots and misses
and Larkin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Larkin looking to score a takedown here. Azhii is defending well but Larkin drives through and ends up in Azhii's guard.

Azhii kicks Larkin off and gets to his feet.
Azhii tries to clinch there but Larkin circles away.

Larkin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Azhii sprawls well initially but Larkin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Larkin stands up out of the half guard.
Jon Larkin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Azhii stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Azhii wants it to stay on the feet.
Azhii throws a big counter head kick but Larkin avoids it with no problem.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Larkin!
Larkin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Azhii.
Larkin attempts a counter takedown but Azhii avoids it well and moves away.
A head kick from Larkin lands but Azhii takes it in his stride.
Azhii doesn't manage to clinch there - Larkin circles away.

Azhii gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Larkin is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larkin gets to his feet. Azhii looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Larkin with a poor takedown
and Azhii counters with a left to the body.

Azhii moves into range and clinches up with Larkin.
Azhii leaning his opponent against the cage.

Larkin breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhii tries to close the distance and clinch up but Larkin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Larkin swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A punch combination from Larkin misses.
Azhii tries a head kick but it misses.
Jon Larkin is winning the standup battle so far.
Azhii shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Larkin as he jumps to the side.
Jon Larkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alkji Azhii.
Nice sprawl there from Azhii as Larkin shoots in.
Larkin gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Larkin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Azhii swivels and escapes.
Azhii steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Larkin connects with a right hand. Azhii shakes it off.
Azhii goes for a double leg but Larkin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Larkin continues to drive forward.
Larkin swats away the attempt to clinch by Azhii.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Larkin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Larkin lands strikes from half guard.
Azhii desperately trying to maintain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Larkin throwing shots but Azhii is blocking nicely.
Azhii trying to hold on to Larkin's head to control him but Larkin postures up.

Larkin stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Azhii to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin misses with a takedown
and Azhii counters with a stiff right hand.
Azhii dives in for a single leg takedown but Larkin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Larkin tries to clinch there but Azhii circles away.
Larkin misses with a shot to the body
and Azhii counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Azhii keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
No luck for Azhii with that takedown attempt.
Azhii is breathing heavily.
Azhii throws a wild body kick that Larkin sees coming a mile off.
Larkin goes for a double leg but Azhii avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Azhii continues to drive forward.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Azhii is trying to break the clinch but Larkin has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jon Larkin will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Larkin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The fight stays on the outside here - Azhii looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Azhii tries to clinch but Larkin moves out of range.
Azhii tries to land a front kick but Larkin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Larkin misses with a looping left.

Azhii closes the distance and pushes Larkin back into the cage.
Larkin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Azhii's elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larkin is trying to pull guard but Azhii has him pressed against the cage.
Larkin has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Azhii is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Larkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Larkin pulls guard.
Azhii tries to free his leg and advance position but Larkin is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhii wants to control from the top but Larkin keeps moving.
Larkin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Larkin trying to keep a closed guard but Azhii is proving a slippery customer.
Azhii postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Azhii is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Larkin working for a triangle but Azhii defends it easily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Azhii tries for a takedown but Larkin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Azhii shoots in looking for a takedown. Larkin tries to sprawl out of it but Azhii keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Larkin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Larkin blocks a head kick by Azhii.
Azhii tries to clinch up.
Larkin throwing a counter right hand but Azhii manages to avoid it.
Azhii tries to clinch but Larkin moves out of range.
Azhii leaves Larkin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhii tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Azhii throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Larkin walks into a straight right hand from Azhii.
Azhii moves in looking to clinch but Larkin pushes him off.
Larkin seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Larkin tries to clinch there but Azhii circles away.
Larkin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Larkin slaps away a takedown attempt from Azhii, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Azhii takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Larkin keeps the fight on the outside.

Larkin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Azhii tries to pull guard but Larkin won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin leaning his opponent against the cage.

Larkin breaks the clinch.
Larkin shoots in looking for a takedown but Azhii manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Larkin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Larkin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Azhii counters with a two punch combo.
Azhii fails with a takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Larkin fails with the takedown.
Alkji Azhii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jon Larkin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Azhii misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alkji Azhii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Larkin 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Larkin!