PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Amirov (ranked 7761 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shamil Abusupyanov (ranked 5026 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Shamil Amirov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Amirov
vs
Abusupyanov

178 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

177 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shamil Amirov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shamil Abusupyanov!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Winston Alpacca and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Amirov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Abusupyanov, pushing him back against the cage.
Amirov is pressed up against the cage. Abusupyanov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Amirov down to the mat. Amirov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Amirov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Abusupyanov.
Amirov lands a high kick!

It looks like Shamil Abusupyanov has been cut.
Horrible takedown attempt by Amirov or perhaps it was just good defense by Abusupyanov, which made it look bad.

Amirov closes the distance and pushes Abusupyanov back into the cage.

Abusupyanov successfully pulls guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Abusupyanov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Amirov being controlled here momentarily.
Amirov won't allow Abusupyanov to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abusupyanov managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abusupyanov keeping full guard, as Amirov tries to pass.
Amirov won't allow Abusupyanov to sweep him here.
Amirov throws a big right hand that misses.
Abusupyanov is controlling Amirov's posture.
Abusupyanov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Amirov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Abusupyanov will feel that in the morning.
Abusupyanov with a poor takedown
and Amirov counters with a series of strikes. Abusupyanov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Shamil Amirov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shamil Abusupyanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abusupyanov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Abusupyanov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Amirov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Abusupyanov looks winded!

Amirov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Well, if Amirov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Amirov is trying to control. Abusupyanov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Abusupyanov tries to get to full guard but Amirov has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amirov working the head and body with strikes.
Amirov throwing shots but Abusupyanov is blocking nicely.
Abusupyanov is trying to stand.
Amirov tries to pass to full mount but Abusupyanov defends it.
Abusupyanov is staying active underneath Amirov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Abusupyanov is trying to stand up here but Amirov is controlling him well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Abusupyanov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Amirov circles away.

Amirov clinches up with Abusupyanov and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abusupyanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Amirov has him pressed against the cage.
The referee calls for Amirov to work.

Amirov decides to pull guard.
Amirov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Abusupyanov's guard.

Abusupyanov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Amirov trying to control the position from guard on top but Abusupyanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Abusupyanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Amirov is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shamil Amirov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shamil Abusupyanov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Abusupyanov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Amirov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Abusupyanov controlling the position.
Abusupyanov is trying to ground and pound but Amirov uses the momentary lack of control by Abusupyanov to regain half guard.
Amirov is looking to control Abusupyanov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Amirov avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abusupyanov wants to take a breather but Amirov is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abusupyanov is controlling the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Amirov wants to get back to full guard.
Abusupyanov wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Abusupyanov is trying to work for a kimura but Amirov is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Abusupyanov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Amirov wants to control but Abusupyanov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Amirov lands with a nice body punch.
Amirov shoots in and drives through. Abusupyanov sprawls well.
Abusupyanov throws a leg kick but Amirov checks it.
Abusupyanov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Abusupyanov stuffs the takedown.
Amirov closes the distance and clinches up with Abusupyanov, looking for a takedown. Amirov pushes Abusupyanov against the cage but Abusupyanov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shamil Amirov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Abusupyanov misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Abusupyanov tries to pull guard but Amirov holds him up against the cage and eventually Abusupyanov drops back down to his feet.
Amirov is trying to break the clinch but Abusupyanov is controlling him.

Amirov pulls guard effortlessly.
Amirov wants to sweep here but Abusupyanov controlling him for the moment.
Abusupyanov stands up over Amirov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abusupyanov postures up and lands a big shot to Amirov's brow.
Abusupyanov tries to free his leg and advance position but Amirov is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abusupyanov wanted to stand there but Amirov had control of the position.
Abusupyanov postures up in Amirov's guard and throws a big left but Amirov blocks it.
Abusupyanov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Amirov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Abusupyanov tries to stand but Amirov is controlling from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Abusupyanov tries to clinch up but Amirov circles away and keeps his distance.
Amirov leaves Abusupyanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shamil Abusupyanov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Shamil Abusupyanov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Abusupyanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Amirov.
Abusupyanov wants to clinch but Amirov slips to the side
enabling Amirov to counter with a crisp jab.
Amirov looks for a takedown but Abusupyanov sprawls well.

Amirov rushes Abusupyanov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Abusupyanov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Amirov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Amirov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Amirov throws an elbow but it misses.
Abusupyanov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Amirov.

Amirov lands a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amirov trying to control the position from guard on top but Abusupyanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Amirov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Abusupyanov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Abusupyanov trying to control the position.
Amirov wants to control from the top but Abusupyanov keeps moving.
Amirov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Abusupyanov can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Abusupyanov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Amirov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Amirov blocks a body shot from Abusupyanov.
Abusupyanov tries to break free but Amirov pushes him back against the cage.

Amirov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Abusupyanov uses from the top position.
Abusupyanov trying to control but Amirov is working from the bottom.
Amirov is trying to control the position but Abusupyanov postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Abusupyanov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Amirov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abusupyanov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Amirov is proving hard to escape from.
Abusupyanov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Shamil Amirov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Abusupyanov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Abusupyanov trying to control the action but Amirov is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Abusupyanov slows the pace down.
Amirov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Amirov wants to control but Abusupyanov is keeping busy.
Abusupyanov slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Amirov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Amirov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shamil Amirov.
Well Amirov 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 David Hoff scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Shamil Amirov!