PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between KJ Noons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anzor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Azhiev is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Czeczen Team. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Noons
vs
Azhiev

175 cm
25
152 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
24
152 lbs
6 - 13 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, KJ Noons!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 13 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Anzor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Noons. No joy for Azhiev on that attempt.
Noons stuffs the takedown.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
KJ Noons has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzor Azhiev.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Azhiev.
Both fighters circling a little - Noons finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Noons takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Anzor Azhiev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Azhiev scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Noons definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Noons is pushing Azhiev's head away, looking to escape. Azhiev manages to hold on to the position though.

Azhiev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Azhiev is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Noons is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noons wants to get back to his feet but Azhiev drags him back down.
Azhiev working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Noons is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Azhiev has just dragged him back down to the mat.

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!
Noons wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev throws a strike aimed at the side of Noons's head but Noons avoids it well.
Noons pushes Azhiev away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Azhiev gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Azhiev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Noons, who protects the arm well.
Noons is trying to get back to his feet.

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!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noons is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Noons is not content to let Azhiev control the position.
Noons is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Noons trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Azhiev connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Noons some visible discomfort.
Noons stops Azhiev from passing to mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Noons has escaped the position, nice work there.
Azhiev working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Azhiev tries for a takedown but Noons sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Azhiev fails with an attempt to clinch.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Noons.
Noons leaves Azhiev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice body kick there by Noons.

Noons lands a big head kick that sends Azhiev tumbling to the mat! Noons takes a step backwards and waves Azhiev back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Azhiev is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Azhiev moves out of range of the body kick.
Noons looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Azhiev tries for a takedown but Noons sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
KJ Noons has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzor Azhiev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick by Noons misses
and Azhiev counters with a body kick that stops Noons in his tracks momentarily.
Azhiev shoots for a takedown but Noons saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
KJ Noons is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Azhiev is breathing heavily.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt - Noons sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Noons looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Noons lands a big head kick that sends Azhiev tumbling to the mat! Noons takes a step backwards and waves Azhiev back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Azhiev is still on wobbly legs! Can Noons finish him?
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azhiev wants to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Noons.
Azhiev seems to have recovered his senses.
Noons lands a nice leg kick that just misses Azhiev's sensitive parts.
Noons throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Crack! A monster head kick from Noons and Azhiev falls like a tree - timbeeeeeeeeeeerrrr! A highlight reel knockout by Noons!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). KJ Noons!