PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikki Dub (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Azhiev
vs
Dub

177 cm
33
144 lbs
17 - 47 - 0

171 cm
19
147 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

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 17 - 47 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anzhor Azhiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikki Dub!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azhiev shoots in looking for a takedown. Dub tries to sprawl out of it but Azhiev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dub manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dub throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Anzhor Azhiev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sloppy strikes from Dub. Those never looked like landing.
Azhiev with a poor takedown
and Dub counters with a nice uppercut.
Dub swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Dub stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Dub defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Azhiev.
As Azhiev backs off Dub throws a huge counter combo but Azhiev manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anzhor Azhiev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dub stuffs the takedown.
Azhiev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
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!
Azhiev darts in looking for a takedown but Dub gets double underhooks and turns Azhiev into the cage.

Azhiev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Dub is trying to defend but Azhiev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Dub is defending against the submission attempts here by Azhiev.

Azhiev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dub sees it coming and defends easily.
Dub really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Azhiev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azhiev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Dub defends it well.

Azhiev is working for a submission of some sort.

Azhiev seems to be working for a kimura but Dub defends the submission attempt.

Azhiev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dub sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Azhiev is trying to work for a kimura but Dub is defending well.

Azhiev is working for a kimura but Dub is defending it quite comfortably.

Azhiev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Azhiev seems to be working for a kimura but Dub defends the submission attempt.

Azhiev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azhiev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dub doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Azhiev.
Azhiev wants to free his trapped foot but Dub is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Azhiev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Dub is concentrating on defense, preventing Azhiev from advancing position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Azhiev wants to work for an arm triangle but Dub is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Dub is looking for a sweep. Azhiev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but Dub shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As Azhiev backs off Dub throws a huge counter combo but Azhiev manages to avoid it all.
Nice takedown defense from Dub. No joy for Azhiev on that attempt.
Nikki Dub is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dub fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Dub throws a series of strikes that have Azhiev backpedaling.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Azhiev.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a takedown but Dub manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Azhiev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dub misses with a two punch combination.
Dub lands with a nice combination. Azhiev backs away looking to recover.

Azhiev is rocked!
Dub throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikki Dub dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dub throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dub lands with a right that hurts Azhiev. Azhiev looks to clinch but Dub throws a short knee that drops Azhiev. This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:09 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch and Knee). Nikki Dub!
Anzhor Azhiev was interviewed post fight and said '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.'.