PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bruno Aires (ranked 1069 p4p, 134 weight class) and Vadim Nazarov (ranked 3895 p4p, 391 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Aires
vs
Nazarov

188 cm
35
203 lbs
32 - 18 - 2

187 cm
42
195 lbs
39 - 20 - 4

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Bruno Aires!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 20 - 4, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vadim Nazarov!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aires scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Aires moves away from the strike by Nazarov.
Aires looks to land a body kick but Nazarov moved away.
Nazarov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Aires misses with a low kick.
Aires fails with a takedown attempt.
Bruno Aires seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aires swings widly with a right hand
and Aires takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A big right from Nazarov misses.
Nazarov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aires.
A shot to the liver by Nazarov. Beautiful body shot.
Nazarov moves forwards but Aires connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot by Nazarov.
Aires scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nazarov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aires manages to avoid it.
Aires is looking to counter with a body kick.
Aires scores with a jab. Nazarov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aires just misses with a punch to the body.
Aires swings for the body but Nazarov moves out of range.
Nazarov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nazarov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Aires.
Nazarov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Aires in his tracks.
Aires pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nazarov is out of range and Aires settles back down.
A big left from Nazarov misses.
Aires changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nazarov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Aires's head backwards.
Nazarov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nazarov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Aires. Aires circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Aires paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nazarov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Aires misses with a takedown attempt - Nazarov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aires doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nazarov misses with a straight right.
Aires scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nazarov in his tracks.
Nazarov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nazarov swings for the body but Aires moves out of range.
Nazarov stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruno Aires. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nazarov misses the shot to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Aires 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Aires swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aires connects with a nice looking jab.
Nazarov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nazarov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Aires swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nazarov looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aires's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nazarov under the eye.
Aires getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Aires waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nazarov.
Aires uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nazarov.
Aires thows a left - swing and a miss!
Aires fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nazarov moves out of range as Aires strikes.
Good leg kick by Aires there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A big right from Nazarov misses.
Nazarov checks a low kick from Aires.
Nazarov throws out a counter right but Aires avoids it with no problem.
Aires uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nazarov.
Aires swings for the body but Nazarov moves out of range.
Aires looks for the body kick but Nazarov saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aires uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nazarov.
Aires lands a jab to Nazarov's midsection.
Aires is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nazarov.
Aires with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nazarov avoids a kick to the body.
Nazarov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aires was well out of range. Poor timing from Nazarov.
A counter left hand to the body from Aires misses its target.
Aires lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nazarov throws a hook to the side of Aires's head but Aires sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nazarov takes one to the side of the head.
Nazarov checks a leg kick.
Aires throws a low kick but it's checked well by Nazarov.
Aires fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nazarov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Aires.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bruno Aires 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.

Aires dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nazarov. That did some damage!
Aires throws a right hand that misses
and Nazarov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nazarov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aires.
Aires pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nazarov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Aires.
Nazarov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Aires looks to score with a jab to the body but Nazarov is just out of range.
A little jabbing left from Nazarov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nazarov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aires circles away.
Nazarov looks to land a right hand but Aires moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aires throws a hook but Nazarov avoids it easily.
Bruno Aires is winning the standup battle so far.
Aires lands with a straight right. Nazarov didn't see that one coming.
Aires moves out of range of the strikes.
Nazarov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nazarov throws a body punch but Aires moves out of range.
Aires looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Aires - just one landing.
Aires throws a shot from downtown. Nazarov moves away and avoids it.
Nazarov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Aires, as that shot connected.
Nazarov misses with a right hand
and Aires counters with a right hand to the body.
Aires with a poor takedown
and Nazarov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Aires fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nazarov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nazarov connects with a nice looking jab.
Aires throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nazarov connects with a crisp jab.
Nazarov throws a good cross that connects.
Nazarov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Aires doesn't seem bothered though.

That's two 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!
Aires fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nazarov avoids it really well and circles away.
Nazarov throws a hook but Aires avoids it easily.
Aires thows a leg kick but Nazarov checks it
and Nazarov counters with a nice uppercut.
Aires throws a chopping leg kick but Nazarov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Aires with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Aires tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nazarov was well out of range. Poor timing from Aires.
A slow jab from Nazarov misses its intended target.
Nazarov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Aires.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruno Aires. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nazarov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aires at a distance.
Nazarov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Aires takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov misses with a looping right.
Aires misses the shot to the body.
Aires displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nazarov throws out the jab.
Aires waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nazarov.
Nazarov throws a jab but it's blocked by Aires.
Nazarov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A cross from Aires lands.
Nazarov blocks a head kick by Aires.
Nazarov ducks under a wild hook from Aires.
The fighters circling - Nazarov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nazarov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aires throws a hook but Nazarov avoids it easily.
And Nazarov tries to counter it with a takedown but Aires pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Aires thows a leg kick but Nazarov checks it
and Nazarov counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aires throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Aires displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nazarov throws out the jab.
Aires on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nazarov avoids a kick to the body.

Aires gets a 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!
Nazarov is looking to control Aires's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nazarov avoid being mounted?
Aires sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nazarov defending well though.
Aires not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Aires landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vadim Nazarov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Aires connects with a solid leg kick.
Aires walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nazarov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Aires throws out a loose jab but Nazarov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aires feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Nazarov's calf.
Aires uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nazarov.
Aires just misses with a punch to the body.
Aires works Nazarov's body with a nice hook.
Nazarov slips under a jab.
Nazarov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Aires fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nazarov checks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aires looks to land a combination but Nazarov avoids it well.
Nazarov walks into a straight right hand from Aires.
A slow jab from Aires misses its intended target.
Nazarov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Nazarov lands with an overhand left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aires swings for the body but Nazarov moves out of range.
Nazarov misses with a looping left.
It looked like Aires wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Aires motions for Nazarov to come forward. Aires throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice shot by Nazarov.
Aires looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nazarov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Aires walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nazarov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A swing and a miss from Nazarov.
Aires throws a solid leg kick but Nazarov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Aires.
Aires misses with a two punch combination.
Aires missing with a left hand there. Nazarov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nazarov misses with a wild body shot.
Nazarov looks to land a right hand but Aires moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aires closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Nazarov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Aires's guard.
Nazarov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nazarov stopping the sweep attempt from Aires.
Nazarov wants to pass the guard but Aires is keeping the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Aires looking for a guillotine here but Nazarov defends easily.
Nazarov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nazarov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Aires looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aires bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nazarov's guard.

Aires looking to pass the guard.
Nazarov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nazarov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aires is one step ahead there.
Nazarov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nazarov is pulling down on Aires's head. It's preventing any offense from Aires, at least for the moment.
Aires throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nazarov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nazarov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Aires connects with a couple of short punches.
Aires throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nazarov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Aires controls the pace.
Aires lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

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 Bruno Aires.
Well Aires 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Bruno Aires!
During a confident post fight interview, Bruno Aires thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.