PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kustarbek Ashimov (ranked 2622 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Coranin (ranked 4347 p4p, 0 weight class). Kustarbek Ashimov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ashimov
vs
Coranin

173 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kustarbek Ashimov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Coranin!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, John Roberts and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Coranin shoots in and gets a takedown into Ashimov's guard.
Coranin trying to control but Ashimov is working from the bottom.
Ashimov is pulling down on Coranin's head. It's preventing any offense from Coranin, at least for the moment.
Coranin looking to sit in guard and control but Ashimov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ashimov sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashimov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ashimov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Coranin's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashimov landing some decent shots from guard.
Ashimov throws a big elbow that misses.
Ashimov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Coranin wants to improve his position but instead Ashimov has moved into half guard.

Coranin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ashimov pulls his head out easily.
Ashimov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two 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.

Ashimov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Coranin doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ashimov.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coranin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ashimov is working away from the top position though.
Ashimov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ashimov tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Ashimov pushes Coranin up against the cage in a clinch.
Coranin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ashimov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Coranin looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Coranin is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kustarbek Ashimov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Coranin.
Coranin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ashimov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Coranin fails to pull guard.
Coranin looks winded!
Coranin struggles to land a body shot inside as Ashimov controls his hands.
Ashimov is trying to drag Coranin to the mat but Coranin just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Coranin is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ashimov to keep the fight standing.
Ashimov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ashimov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Coranin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ashimov is trying to break the clinch but Coranin has him pressed against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Coranin tries to pull guard but Ashimov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Coranin struggles to land a body shot inside as Ashimov controls his hands.
Coranin is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ashimov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Coranin is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kustarbek Ashimov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ashimov looks for a takedown but Coranin sprawls well.
Coranin shapes to counter with a head kick.
Coranin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ashimov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ashimov tries to close the distance and clinch but Coranin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A nice side step and Coranin releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Coranin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ashimov avoids it really well and circles away.
Ashimov tries to clinch up.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Coranin! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashimov throws the kick towards the body but Coranin avoids it.

Coranin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Coranin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ashimov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Coranin wants to stand but Ashimov is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashimov trying to control the position here.
Ashimov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Coranin can do to turn this around?
Coranin stops Ashimov from standing up.
Kustarbek Ashimov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ashimov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Coranin trying to control the position from guard on top but Ashimov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Coranin is fighting to break Ashimov's control of his arms but Ashimov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ashimov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Coranin is fending him off so far but Ashimov persists. Nope, Coranin circles away and we're back to standing.
Coranin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ashimov pinned against the cage. Ashimov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kustarbek Ashimov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Coranin.

Ashimov drives through with a takedown into Coranin's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ashimov trying to control but Coranin is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashimov is stalling in the full guard.
Ashimov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Ashimov drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Ashimov as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Coranin screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Ashimov! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Kustarbek Ashimov!