PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yodthanong Photirat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Photirat
vs
Azhiev

171 cm
27
159 lbs
7 - 17 - 0

177 cm
27
162 lbs
9 - 29 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 7 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yodthanong Photirat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 29 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anzhor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Photirat misses with a jab, cross combination.
Azhiev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Azhiev.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Azhiev tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Azhiev has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Azhiev swings around for an armbar but Photirat sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Azhiev's guard.

Photirat stands up from Azhiev's guard - Photirat perhaps looking for a knockout.

Photirat clinches up against the cage.

Photirat breaks the clinch.
Photirat swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No joy there for Photirat, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Photirat swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Azhiev dodges the punch combination from Photirat.
Azhiev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Photirat sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Azhiev somewhat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Photirat drives through and clinches with Azhiev against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Photirat escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Photirat throws a series of punches but Azhiev avoids them all with ease.
Photirat misses with a jab, cross combination.
Azhiev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Azhiev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Photirat's waist but Photirat gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Azhiev off to one side.
Yodthanong Photirat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Azhiev dodges the punch combination from Photirat.
Photirat rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Azhiev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but Photirat shows good takedown defense.
Azhiev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Photirat is fending him off so far but Azhiev persists. Nope, Photirat circles away and we're back to standing.
Azhiev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Photirat's waist but Photirat gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Azhiev off to one side.
Azhiev looks for a takedown but Photirat sprawls well.
Azhiev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Photirat tries to avoid it but Azhiev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Photirat to the ground. Photirat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Azhiev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Photirat to the mat! Photirat manages to get full guard.

Azhiev is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Photirat is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Photirat has escaped and now he's on top!
Photirat has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Azhiev is proving hard to escape from.
Photirat has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Photirat controlling from the top position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Azhiev is looking for a triangle but Photirat pushes his legs off easily.
Photirat wanted to stand there but Azhiev had control of the position.

Photirat avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Photirat has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Azhiev is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev has his foot on Photirat's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Photirat works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Photirat wants to stand but Azhiev has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Azhiev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Photirat can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Azhiev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Photirat defends it easily.

Azhiev looking for a guillotine here but Photirat defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Azhiev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Photirat stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Azhiev dodges the punch combination from Photirat.
Photirat misses with a double jab.
Azhiev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Photirat defends well and Azhiev ends up having to push Photirat into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Azhiev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Photirat smiles and moves away.
Azhiev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Azhiev looks winded!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Azhiev dodges the punch combination from Photirat.
Photirat throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Azhiev dodges the punch combination from Photirat.
Photirat throws a series of punches but Azhiev avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anzhor Azhiev will probably get the nod.
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.

Azhiev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Some wild striking there from Photirat.

Photirat gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Azhiev to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Azhiev has gone for a leg lock! Photirat slips out almost immediately though and dives into Azhiev's guard.
Azhiev keeping moving, preventing Photirat from controlling successfully.
Photirat postures up in Azhiev's guard and throws a big left but Azhiev blocks it.

Photirat stands up from Azhiev's guard - Photirat perhaps looking for a knockout.
Azhiev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Photirat.
Photirat throws a right hand that Azhiev ducks under and follows up with a left that Azhiev also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Photirat will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Horrible takedown by Azhiev or perhaps it was just good defense by Photirat which made him look bad.
Photirat swinging wildly here.

Photirat drives through and clinches with Azhiev against the cage.
Azhiev tries to pull guard but Photirat holds him up against the cage and eventually Azhiev drops back down to his feet.
I was talking to Photirat's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Yodthanong Photirat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Azhiev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Photirat to keep the fight standing.
Photirat is struggling to control the position.

Photirat breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Photirat keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Photirat scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Photirat throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Photirat misses with the combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Azhiev avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev closes the distance and clinches up with Photirat, looking for a takedown. Azhiev pushes Photirat against the cage but Photirat circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Azhiev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Photirat tries to avoid it but Azhiev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Photirat to the ground. Photirat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Azhiev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Yodthanong Photirat is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Photirat sprawls well. Photirat wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Azhiev gets slowly back to his feet.

Azhiev throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Photirat was covering up waiting for the punch and Azhiev finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Anzhor Azhiev has got the better of the ground game so far.

Azhiev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Photirat looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Photirat looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Photirat!

Photirat decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Sloppy strikes from Photirat. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev darts in looking for a takedown but Photirat gets double underhooks and turns Azhiev into the cage.

Photirat breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Photirat swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Photirat fails to land with a series of punches.
Photirat closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Horrible takedown by Azhiev or perhaps it was just good defense by Photirat which made him look bad.
Azhiev closes the distance and clinches up with Photirat, looking for a takedown. Azhiev pushes Photirat against the cage but Photirat circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A punch combination from Photirat misses.
Photirat throws a series of punches but Azhiev avoids them all with ease.
Photirat pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Photirat throws a right and a left that Azhiev avoids nicely.
Azhiev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Photirat avoids it really well and circles away.
Photirat stuffs the takedown attempt from Azhiev. Azhiev gets slowly back to his feet.
Photirat swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Photirat lands with a nice combination. Azhiev backs away looking to recover.
Yodthanong Photirat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Azhiev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Photirat avoids it really well and circles away.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Photirat defends it nicely.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but Photirat shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Photirat throws a nice looking combination but Azhiev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Photirat throws a right and a left that Azhiev avoids nicely.
Photirat rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Azhiev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Azhiev avoids a punch combination nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Azhiev.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Azhiev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Photirat sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Photirat throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Azhiev is defended easily by Photirat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yodthanong Photirat dominated that second round.
That's time! Photirat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Photirat throws a series of punches but Azhiev moves out of range.
Azhiev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Photirat darts in and clinches Azhiev up against the cage.
Azhiev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Azhiev tries to pull guard but Photirat forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Photirat manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Photirat is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Azhiev tries to free his leg and advance position but Photirat is retaining full guard.

Azhiev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Photirat dives on top into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Photirat sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Azhiev keeping moving, preventing Photirat from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azhiev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Photirat knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Azhiev on the ground.

Azhiev working for a triangle but Photirat defends it easily.

Photirat stands up and waves to Azhiev to follow him.
Nice sprawl there from Photirat as Azhiev shoots in.
Yodthanong Photirat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Photirat misses with a wild combination.
Photirat throws a right and a left that Azhiev avoids nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Photirat. Those never looked like landing.
Photirat misses with a series of wild punches.
Photirat pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev dives in for a single leg takedown but Photirat sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Azhiev pulls guard effortlessly.

Azhiev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Photirat wants to stand but Azhiev has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Azhiev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Azhiev working for a triangle but Photirat defends it easily.

Azhiev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Photirat defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Photirat wants to stand but Azhiev has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Photirat throws a big right hand that misses.
Photirat missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Photirat looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Azhiev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Photirat slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Photirat gets to his feet. Azhiev looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Photirat throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Photirat.
Photirat displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Azhiev.

Photirat has closed the distance and engaged Azhiev in a clinch.

Photirat's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Photirat keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Photirat as he avoids it easily.
Azhiev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Photirat's waist but Photirat gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Azhiev off to one side.
Photirat looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Photirat throws a right and a left that Azhiev avoids nicely.
Azhiev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Photirat is fending him off so far but Azhiev persists. Nope, Photirat circles away and we're back to standing.
Photirat misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Azhiev fails with a takedown attempt.
Photirat misses with a two punch combination.
No joy there for Photirat, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Photirat throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

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 Yodthanong Photirat.
I think Photirat has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yodthanong Photirat!
Yodthanong Photirat thanked the fans post fight for their support.
In defeat, Anzhor Azhiev stepped up to the mic, saying 'I still want that title shot. Im the most experienced fighter here and everyday wants to see me smash the champ so lets do it whenever he starts ducking me.'.