PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sabed Azbuhlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edu Fola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Edu Fola told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Azbuhlev
vs
Fola

172 cm
23
155 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

173 cm
27
165 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

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 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sabed Azbuhlev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Edu Fola!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azbuhlev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Azbuhlev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fola swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Azbuhlev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Azbuhlev looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Fola!

Fola explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Azbuhlev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fola manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fola throws a wild body kick that Azbuhlev sees coming a mile off.
Azbuhlev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fola as he jumps to the side.
Fola scores with a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Azbuhlev avoids a kick to the body.
Fola connects with a leg kick. Azbuhlev looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
We've been informed that Fola has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Fola lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fola scores with a spinning back kick!
Fola throws a wild body kick that Azbuhlev sees coming a mile off.
Azbuhlev was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Fola scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Azbuhlev is breathing heavily.

Fola working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Azbuhlev is looking for a sweep.
Fola happy to just control the position for now.
Fola tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fola swings around for an armbar but Azbuhlev sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Fola's guard.
Fola wants to stand and escape but Azbuhlev is having none of it.

Fola pushes Azbuhlev off and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fola pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Fola lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Edu Fola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fola scores with a push kick.
Azbuhlev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Azbuhlev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Azbuhlev misses with a two punch combination.

Fola gets tackled into the cage by Azbuhlev. Azbuhlev maintains the clinch.
Azbuhlev tries a body shot but Fola blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Azbuhlev.
Azbuhlev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fola.
Fola dodges an elbow strike from Azbuhlev.
Azbuhlev trying to stall but Fola improves his position.
Fola is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Azbuhlev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fola's elbow.
Azbuhlev taking a breather.
Azbuhlev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fola wants a takedown but no success here.
Sabed Azbuhlev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edu Fola.
Azbuhlev struggles to land a body shot inside as Fola controls his hands.
Azbuhlev pushes off an throws an elbow but Fola leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Azbuhlev.
Fola is looking for a takedown.
Fola is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fola blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Azbuhlev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Azbuhlev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Azbuhlev is trying to stall.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Azbuhlev slows down the pace here.
Fola wants a takedown but no success here.
Azbuhlev slowing the pace effectively.
Azbuhlev looking to slow down the pace here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Sabed Azbuhlev.
Azbuhlev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Azbuhlev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Azbuhlev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Fola throws a push kick but Azbuhlev slaps the foot to one side.
Fola lands a nice leg kick that just misses Azbuhlev's sensitive parts.
Azbuhlev blocks a leg kick.
Azbuhlev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Edu Fola seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fola scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

It looks like Sabed Azbuhlev has been cut.
Sabed Azbuhlev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fola keeps the fight on the outside.
Azbuhlev is looking to clinch.
Fola lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Azbuhlev doesn't manage to clinch there - Fola circles away.
Azbuhlev fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fola lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Azbuhlev fails with the takedown.
Azbuhlev has a takedown stuffed.
Azbuhlev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azbuhlev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Fola swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Azbuhlev.
Azbuhlev slips a jab from Fola.
Azbuhlev appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Fola explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Fola fails with a takedown attempt.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Azbuhlev crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Fola - the referee stops the clock and Azbuhlev gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Fola. Azbuhlev manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Fola shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Fola trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fola is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Fola jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Azbuhlev is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Azbuhlev and Fola has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fola prevents Azbuhlev from escaping the position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azbuhlev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Azbuhlev is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Fola has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Edu Fola has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fola controlling the position.

Fola tries for a kimura but Azbuhlev is defending well.
Fola wants to lay and pray for a moment but Azbuhlev keeps working.

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.
Azbuhlev is trying to control Fola's posture but Fola avoids it.
Azbuhlev sneaks back into half guard.
Fola tries to pass the half guard into mount. Azbuhlev knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fola is figuring out what he wants to do next.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edu Fola showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sabed Azbuhlev's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Azbuhlev tries for a takedown but Fola sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Fola is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Azbuhlev's half guard.
Fola trying to control the action but Azbuhlev is working from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Fola prevents Azbuhlev from standing back up.
Azbuhlev trying to control from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fola working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Azbuhlev's thigh. Azbuhlev counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Azbuhlev has his feet on Fola's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fola misses with a jab, cross combination.
Azbuhlev dives in for a single leg takedown but Fola sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Fola thuds his right hand into Azbuhlev's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Azbuhlev gets caught flat footed, as Fola shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Azbuhlev is trying to keep Fola in close.
Fola wants to pass the guard but Azbuhlev is keeping the position.
Fola trying to control but Azbuhlev is working from the bottom.
Fola has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Azbuhlev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fola is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fola wants to control from the top but Azbuhlev keeps moving.

Azbuhlev is looking for a triangle but Fola pushes his legs off easily.
Fola is pushing down on Azbuhlev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Azbuhlev is fighting to maintain full guard but Fola has managed to sneak the leg through.
Fola prevents Azbuhlev from standing back up.
Fola is trying to control the action in half guard but Azbuhlev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Fola controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Azbuhlev as Fola shoots in.
Azbuhlev tries for a takedown but Fola sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sabed Azbuhlev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jab, jab by Fola - just one landing.
Fola lands a jab.
Edu Fola is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Azbuhlev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Fola.
Fola throws a half hearted mid kick.
Azbuhlev is looking to clinch.
Azbuhlev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Fola scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Azbuhlev kicks off Fola and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fola lands a nice leg kick that just misses Azbuhlev's sensitive parts.
Fola misses with a series of wild punches.
Azbuhlev tries to clinch but Fola is having none of it.
Azbuhlev shoots in for a double leg but Fola sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Azbuhlev tries to clinch but Fola is having none of it.
Azbuhlev moves out of range as Fola throws a body kick.
Fola bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Azbuhlev's head.

Fola shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Azbuhlev kicks Fola off and gets back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sabed Azbuhlev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Fola has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Edu Fola!
During a confident post fight interview, Edu Fola thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.