PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anatoly Bazanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacoby Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bazanov
vs
Jones

170 cm
23
205 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
24
215 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anatoly Bazanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jacoby Jones!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones stuffs the takedown attempt from Bazanov. Bazanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Bazanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jones throws a hook but Bazanov blocks it.
Bazanov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bazanov.
Jones slaps away a takedown attempt from Bazanov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bazanov shoots in for a takedown but Jones shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Bazanov with that takedown attempt.
Bazanov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jones defends it nicely.
Bazanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jones tries to avoid it but Bazanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jones to the ground. Jones escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov shoots in for a double leg but Jones sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bazanov has a takedown stuffed.
Bazanov shoots in but Jones avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jones loads up on a big right hand but Bazanov slips the punch.
Jacoby Jones is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A good leg kick by Jones.
Bazanov drops his hands momentarily and Jones takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jones lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bazanov slips a straight right by Jones.
Anatoly Bazanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Bazanov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bazanov lands in his opponent's guard.
Bazanov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov throwing strikes but missing.
Jones trying to control the position here.
We've been hearing good reports from Bazanov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Bazanov throwing strikes from guard but Jones blocks nicely.
Bazanov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bazanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bazanov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bazanov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Jones looking to control.
Bazanov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jones is trying to control the position but Bazanov postures up.
Bazanov chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bazanov distracts Jones with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bazanov throwing strikes but missing.
Jones working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
Bazanov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jones is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jones has momentary wrist control but Bazanov slips an elbow through the middle.
Bazanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jones is trying to control the position but Bazanov postures up.
Bazanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bazanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bazanov throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bazanov throws a big elbow that misses.
Bazanov throws a big elbow that misses.
Bazanov landing with the ground and pound.
Bazanov works over Jones with some ground and pound from guard.
Bazanov is fighting to break Jones's control of his arms but Jones is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Let's hope that Jones has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Jones avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jones utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bazanov postures up and lands a big shot to Jones's brow.
Jones working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoly Bazanov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bazanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Jones sprawls well. Jones wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bazanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Jones delivers a nice body kick.
Bazanov shoots and misses
and Jones counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Anatoly Bazanov has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice shot by Jones.
Jones throws a hook to the side of Bazanov's head but Bazanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jones defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bazanov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bazanov is defended easily by Jones.
Jones leaves Bazanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jones misses with a left hand

and Bazanov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bazanov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Jones to regain full guard.
Bazanov postures up.
Jones is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Bazanov throws a big elbow that misses.
Bazanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bazanov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bazanov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bazanov passes Jones's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ground and pound from Bazanov.
Bazanov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jones's head.
Bazanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jones blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bazanov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bazanov is thwarting Jones's attempts to control the position.
Anatoly Bazanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jones blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bazanov.
Jones felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Bazanov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Jones trying to control but Bazanov postures up.
Bazanov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Jones with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Jones is trying to stand.
Bazanov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Bazanov misses with a head shot. Jones uses the momentum to regain guard.
Jones is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bazanov postures up in Jones's guard and throws a big left but Jones blocks it.
Bazanov is in close to Jones's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Bazanov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jones avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bazanov throws a big right hand that misses.
Bazanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jones working a defensive guard here.
Bazanov throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jones looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bazanov is looking to work some ground and pound but Jones has wrist control.
Jones working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
Bazanov with a nice head shot there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bazanov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bazanov is working Jones over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bazanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bazanov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bazanov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bazanov chips away with some ground and pound.
Jones preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoly Bazanov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Anatoly Bazanov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Jones stuffs the takedown attempt from Bazanov. Bazanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Jones looks to land a right hand but Bazanov moved out of range.
Bazanov shoots in but no luck this time.
Jones stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jones wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bazanov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jones misses with the combination.
Bazanov shoots in and drives through. Jones sprawls well.
Jones sizes up Bazanov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Bazanov shoots in for a takedown but Jones shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bazanov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov fails with the takedown.
Anatoly Bazanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jones misses with a hook.
Bazanov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Jones misses with a straight left.
No luck for Bazanov with that takedown attempt.
Bazanov shoots in for a double leg but Jones sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jones misses the jab.
Jones misses with a straight right.
Jones stuffs the takedown.
Bazanov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Anatoly Bazanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov shoots in for a double leg but Jones sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jones is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bazanov.
Bazanov misses with a takedown attempt - Jones sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jones looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Bazanov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Jones's half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bazanov is looking to stall here but Jones recovers full guard.
Bazanov wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bazanov is one step ahead there.
Bazanov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Bazanov won't allow Jones to sweep him here.
Jones trying to keep a closed guard but Bazanov is proving a slippery customer.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Bazanov from controlling successfully.
Jacoby Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Bazanov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Jones wants to control but Bazanov is keeping busy.
Jones keeping hold of Bazanov's head, controlling as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov controlling the action here.
Jones wants to improve his position but Bazanov is controlling well.
Jones has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bazanov is working away from the top position though.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Jones keeping control of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jacoby Jones was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Bazanov gets a takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacoby Jones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bazanov 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anatoly Bazanov!