PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kerim Ashiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pol Polite (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ashiev
vs
Polite

181 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kerim Ashiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pol Polite!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Polite keeps the fight on the outside.
Ashiev tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Polite counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ashiev!
Polite throwing strikes here but Ashiev is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Ashiev really wants to buck Polite off and get back to his feet.
Polite unloads with some shots from mount but Ashiev bucks and avoids them well.
Polite throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Ashiev is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Ashiev trying desperately to get to his feet.
Ashiev wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Polite.

Polite goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Ashiev turns into him and now he's in Polite's 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!
Ashiev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polite avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Polite controls Ashiev momentarily but Ashiev frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Polite is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ashiev tries to kick Polite off but Polite keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Polite controlling the pace.
Ashiev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Polite misses with a head shot. Ashiev uses the momentum to regain guard.
Polite is looking to work some ground and pound but Ashiev has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polite trying to control the position from guard on top but Ashiev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Polite throws a big right hand that misses.
Polite throwing strikes from guard but Ashiev blocks nicely.
Polite throws a big elbow that misses.
Polite looking to sit in guard and control but Ashiev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Polite bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ashiev's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Polite accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polite is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ashiev is breathing heavily.
Ashiev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Polite postures up in Ashiev's guard and throws a big left but Ashiev blocks it.
Polite wants to control from the top but Ashiev keeps moving.
Polite throws an elbow that misses. Ashiev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Polite's guard. Nice move by Ashiev!
Polite is looking to stand up but Ashiev isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashiev postures up.
Ashiev is looking to work some ground and pound but Polite has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Polite is looking for a triangle here but Ashiev uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Ashiev.
Ashiev tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Polite is looking to regain half guard here but Ashiev keeps moving and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Polite can't do much from the bottom here.
Ashiev sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Polite is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pol Polite dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ashiev looks to clinch
and Polite counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Ashiev gets caught napping as Polite dives in and scores a takedown. Ashiev manages to retain guard.
Ashiev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Polite is controlling him.

Polite stands and steps away. Ashiev gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ashiev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ashiev wants to clinch

and Polite counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ashiev won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Polite swings around for an armbar but Ashiev sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Polite's guard.
Polite preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Polite wants to control the position but Ashiev says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ashiev is pressing down on Polite's thigh, looking to free his foot. Polite is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashiev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ashiev with the ground and pound but Polite uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Polite keeping full guard, as Ashiev tries to pass.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ashiev is looking to work some ground and pound but Polite has wrist control.
Polite seems keen to control Ashiev's posture.
Ashiev preventing the sweep.
Polite really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ashiev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ashiev trying to control the position from guard on top but Polite is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Polite scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Polite shoots in and drives through. Ashiev sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polite changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ashiev tries to avoid it but Polite manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ashiev to the ground. Ashiev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Polite.
Kerim Ashiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pol Polite.

Ashiev has Polite up against the cage in a clinch.

Ashiev breaks the clinch.
Polite tries for a takedown but Ashiev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ashiev tries to clinch there but Polite circles away.
Ashiev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ashiev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashiev looks to clinch

and Polite counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Polite trying to control from Ashiev's half guard. Ashiev has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Polite looking to sit in guard and control but Ashiev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ashiev throwing strikes from guard but Polite blocks nicely.
Polite wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Ashiev manages to pass to side control.
Polite keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashiev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Polite is looking to improve his position.
Ashiev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Polite blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ashiev.
Ashiev thows a huge punch but Polite dodges it nicely.
Ashiev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Polite is trying to stand back up but Ashiev is controlling him
Ashiev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ashiev works his foot free and advances to mount.
Polite tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pol Polite showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Ashiev has closed the distance and engaged Polite in a clinch.
Ashiev is trying to break the clinch but Polite is controlling him.
Polite drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ashiev pulls his leg out and moves away.
Polite shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ashiev as he avoids it easily.
Kerim Ashiev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Polite looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Ashiev!
Ashiev trying desperately to get to his feet.
Ashiev is in a horrible position here. Polite smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Polite throws a strike there. Ashiev manages to avoid it well and slips a leg under to get to half guard.
Polite takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polite is looking to stall here but Ashiev recovers full guard.
Polite makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Polite in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Polite must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Polite throws a strike but Ashiev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ashiev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Polite is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ashiev defends well.
Ashiev won't allow Polite to get back to his feet.
Ashiev throwing strikes from guard but Polite blocks nicely.
Ashiev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Ashiev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Polite looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Polite looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Polite!
Pol Polite has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ashiev bucks up and tries to throw Polite off but instead Polite has got his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashiev looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Ashiev showing good submission defense here.
The referee is taking a good look at Ashiev as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Polite!
Polite is landing with strikes. Ashiev can't take much more of this.
Polite thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polite throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.

Ashiev preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Polite.
Polite looking to hold on to the position here but Ashiev rolls and ends up regaining guard.

Ashiev is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Ashiev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kerim Ashiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pol Polite is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kerim Ashiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pol Polite.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Polite tries to pull guard but Ashiev won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pol Polite comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Polite winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pol Polite!