PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Albert Azagu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alves has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! Thiago Alves is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Azagu
vs
Alves

178 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

181 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

Win Nutritional - proof of quality

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Albert Azagu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Alves!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Luis Engracia and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Azagu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Alves looks gassed!
Alves takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Azagu lunges at Alves with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Alves's hand.
Azagu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Azagu moves into the clinch.
Azagu lands a hook that snaps the head of Alves backwards.
Azagu lands an uppercut.
Azagu wants to get back to striking at distance but Alves won't allow it.
Azagu lands a hook to the side of the head.
Azagu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Azagu.
Azagu wants to break the clinch but can't.
Azagu wants to break free but Alves has control.
Azagu lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Azagu is trying to break the clinch but Alves has him pressed against the cage.
Alves prevents Azagu from breaking the clinch.
Azagu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Azagu scores with a shoulder strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Azagu.
Alves is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Alves drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Azagu.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alves changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Azagu fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Albert Azagu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Alves.

Azagu rushes Alves and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azagu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alvess head.
Azagu wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Alves has him pressed against the cage.
Azagu lands with a light punch inside.
Azagu lands a right hand.
Azagu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Azagu working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Azagu gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Alves.
Azagu pushes Alves back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Azagu.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Azagu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Azagu wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Alves has him pressed against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Azagu scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short left from Azagu.
Azagu lands with a light punch inside.
Alves has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Azagu is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Azagu lands a left hand that snaps the head of Alves backwards.
Alves is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Azagu pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Azagu gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Alves.
Azagu is trying to break free.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Azagu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Azagu is trying to break the clinch but Alves has him pressed against the cage.
Azagu lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Azagu.
Alves is working for takedown but Azagu is calmly controlling the position for now.
Azagu lands a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azagu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Azagu is trying to break free.
Alves tries to score a body lock takedown but Azagu shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Alves has Azagu pressed against the cage, preventing Azagu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Azagu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alvess head.
Azagu scores with a shot to the side of Alves's head.
Alves blocks an uppercut.
Azagu prevents a takedown attempt there.

Alves has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Azagu is trying to keep an underhook but Alves manages to get the takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Azagu is positioning himself well to prevent Alves advancing to mount.
Azagu on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Alves throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Alves thows a huge punch but Azagu dodges it nicely.
Azagu is trying to control but can't.
Alves throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Alves looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Alves throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Azagu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Azagu jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Alves shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Azagu is trying to defend but Alves finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Alves sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Azagu defending well though.
Azagu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alves.
Alves missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Azagu wants to control but Alves is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Alves landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Alves not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Alves missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Alves winds up and cracks Azagu with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Alves throws a nice looking combination but Azagu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice body punch from Azagu.
Azagu falls off balance throwing a combination

and Alves counters with a single leg into guard. Azagu didn't expect that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Alves is working Azagu over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Azagu has his hands on Alves's head, controlling the position.
Alves tries to free his leg and advance position but Azagu is retaining full guard.
Azagu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alves.
Alves stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Azagu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Alves distracts Azagu with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alves throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Azagu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Azagu wants to sweep here but Alves controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Azagu lands with a nice body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Azagu dominated that round.
That's time! Azagu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Alves throws a series of punches but Azagu moves out of range.
Azagu throws a series of punches but Alves moves out of range.

Azagu rushes Alves and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Azagu wants to break free but Alves has control.
Azagu wants to break free but Alves has control.
Alves has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Azagu is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Azagu lands a shoulder strike.
Alves has Azagu pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Azagu manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Azagu is trying to force a seperation but Alves has the dominant position.
Alves is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Azagu pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Albert Azagu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Alves.
Azagu working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A nice right hand lands inside from Azagu.

Alves gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Alves connects with a couple of short punches.
Alves scoring with punches to the head and body.
Alves throwing strikes but missing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alves throwing strikes but missing.
Alves is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azagu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Alves working some strikes from top position.
Azagu trying to keep a closed guard but Alves is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Azagu misses with a wild combination.
Azagu tries to clinch but Alves moves away

and Alves counters with a shoot takedown. Azagu fights it but they end up in guard.
Alves postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alves postures up in Azagu's guard and throws a big left but Azagu blocks it.
Alves throws a big right hand that misses.
Alves loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alves preventing the sweep.
Alves lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alves accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Azagu trying to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Azagu throws a series of punches but Alves moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alves scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Azagu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alves.
Azagu is looking to control Alves's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Azagu avoid being mounted?
Alves scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Azagu has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Alves is working away from the top position though.
Azagu gets back to full guard.
Alves lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Alves postures up in Azagu's guard and throws a big left but Azagu blocks it.
Alves throwing strikes but missing.
Azagu bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Alves's guard.
Azagu throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azagu thows a big elbow that misses.
Azagu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Azagu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Azagu throwing strikes but missing.
Azagu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Azagu throws a big right hand that misses.
Alves looking for a sweep. Not yet Alves, not yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Alves uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Azagu.

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.
Azagu misses with a few strikes there.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Azagu, as that shot connected.
Azagu tries to clinch but Alves is having none of it.
Azagu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Alves closes this distance looking for a takedown but Azagu circles away.
Azagu misses with a series of wild punches.
Azagu misses with a two punch combination.
Azagu defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Alves.
Azagu throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Alves shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Alves is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Alves not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Alves showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Azagu throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Alves.
Alves keeps the fight on the outside.

Alves drives through with a takedown into guard.
Azagu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Azagu is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Alves in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alves throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Azagu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alves.
Alves working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Azagu's head.
Alves working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Alves is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Alves changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Azagu looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Thiago Alves has got the better of the ground game so far.
Alves sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Azagu is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Azagu on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Alves misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azagu can't do much from the bottom here.
Alves lands a nice forearm strike.
Alves lands some shots froms side control.
Alves throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Azagu wants to control but Alves postures up.
Azagu is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Alves is controlling him well.
An elbow from Alves crashes against the mat.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Alves drives through and clinches with Azagu against the cage.
Alves can't get the takedown.

Alves has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Azagu regains guard immediately.
Azagu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alves won't allow Azagu to sweep him here.
Azagu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alves landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alves stopping the sweep attempt from Azagu.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alves's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Alves lands a couple of elbows.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Azagu throws a combination. Alves tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Azagu throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Some wild striking there from Azagu.

Azagu gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Alves working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Azagu is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves lands a couple of elbows.
Azagu wants to sweep here but Alves controlling him for the moment.
Alves throwing strikes from guard but Azagu blocks nicely.
Alves stopping the sweep attempt from Azagu.
Azagu lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Alves!
Alves is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Azagu sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Azagu landing strikes from the mount.
Azagu throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Alves because Azagu loaded up on that one.
Alves avoids a series of strikes thrown by Azagu.
Alves keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Azagu lands a nice shot to the head.
Azagu misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Alves wants to control but Azagu is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Alves comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Alves has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Alves!