PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Frank Irrozios (ranked 3586 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 9697 p4p, 0 weight class). Irrozios comes to the cage accompanied by L'Algérino - Hasni. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Irrozios
vs
Azhiev

152 cm
28
137 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

177 cm
43
144 lbs
23 - 79 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

IniTech Nutrition
Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Frank Irrozios!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 79 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anzhor Azhiev!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Sano and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Azhiev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Irrozios looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Irrozios throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Azhiev moves away from the strike by Irrozios.
Azhiev slips a straight right by Irrozios.
Irrozios is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Azhiev.
Irrozios looks to throw the jab but Azhiev is out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Irrozios clobbers Azhiev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Azhiev staying out of range there.
Irrozios is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Azhiev's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Azhiev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Irrozios.
Azhiev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Irrozios has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Azhiev slips under a jab.
Azhiev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Irrozios.
Irrozios throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Irrozios throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Azhiev ducks under a wild hook from Irrozios.
Anzhor Azhiev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Irrozios throws an overhand right that lands on Azhiev's shoulder, as Azhiev tries to avoid the shot.
Azhiev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Irrozios.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a takedown but Irrozios manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Azhiev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Irrozios swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Azhiev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Azhiev shoots for a takedown but Irrozios saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Irrozios throws a jab when Azhiev was well out of range.
Irrozios throws a jab but it's blocked by Azhiev.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Azhiev.
Frank Irrozios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhiev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Irrozios circles away.
Irrozios misses with a straight left.
Irrozios connects with a right hand. Azhiev shakes it off.
Azhiev defending well as Irrozios loads up on a big left hand.

Azhiev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Irrozios looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Azhiev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Azhiev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Irrozios tries to escape but Azhiev is in control.

Irrozios explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azhiev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Irrozios.
Irrozios misses with a straight right.
Horrible takedown attempt by Azhiev or perhaps it was just good defense by Irrozios, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Irrozios as Azhiev shoots in.
Azhiev moves out of range as Irrozios strikes.
Irrozios misses with a looping right.
Azhiev shoots in and drives through. Irrozios sprawls well.
Irrozios misses with a straight right.
Azhiev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Irrozios.

Azhiev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Irrozios sprawls well initially but Azhiev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Irrozios kicks Azhiev off and gets back to his feet.
Irrozios throws a jab when Azhiev was well out of range.
Azhiev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Irrozios swivels and escapes.
Azhiev dives in and grabs Irrozios's left leg, looking for a takedown. Irrozios pushes down on Azhiev's head and hops out.
Irrozios pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Azhiev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Irrozios misses with a looping left.
The fighters circling - Irrozios throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Irrozios misses the jab.
Irrozios throws a hook but Azhiev avoids it easily.
Irrozios leaves Azhiev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Azhiev slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irrozios throws a jab when Azhiev was well out of range.
Irrozios misses with a looping right.
Azhiev moves out of range as Irrozios strikes.
And Azhiev tries to counter it with a takedown but Irrozios pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Irrozios is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Azhiev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Irrozios misses with an uppercut.
Irrozios throws a jab when Azhiev was well out of range.
Azhiev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Irrozios's waist but Irrozios gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Azhiev off to one side.
A jab from Irrozios misses.
Irrozios throws a jab when Azhiev was well out of range.
Azhiev with the counter takedown but Irrozios avoids it easily.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Irrozios defends it nicely.
Irrozios lands a head shot.
Azhiev tries for a takedown but Irrozios sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A big left from Irrozios misses.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Irrozios sprawls well. Irrozios wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Azhiev gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azhiev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Irrozios.
Irrozios moves into range and connects with a jab.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt - Irrozios sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Azhiev moves out of range of the strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Azhiev slips a straight right by Irrozios.
Irrozios misses the jab.
Azhiev slips a straight right by Irrozios.
Azhiev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Irrozios stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Irrozios wants it to stay on the feet.
Irrozios swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Azhiev moves away from the strike by Irrozios.
Azhiev with the counter takedown but Irrozios avoids it easily.
Azhiev fails with a takedown attempt.
Azhiev slips under a jab from Irrozios.
Azhiev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Irrozios circles away.
Frank Irrozios is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Azhiev.
Irrozios throws a big shot that misses.
Azhiev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Azhiev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Irrozios dominated that round.
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.

Irrozios's jab looks to have found its range, popping Azhiev under the eye.
Azhiev shoots in but no luck this time.

Azhiev feints and as Irrozios raises his hands in defense, Azhiev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Irrozios scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Azhiev slips a straight right by Irrozios.
Irrozios misses with a hook. Azhiev ducked under it nicely.
Decent striking displayed by Irrozios there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Azhiev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Azhiev is defended easily by Irrozios.
Irrozios pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Azhiev gets a double leg takedown into Irrozios's guard.

Irrozios is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Azhiev presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Irrozios escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Irrozios misses with a straight left.
Azhiev moves out of range of the strikes.
Irrozios looks to land a right hand but Azhiev moved out of range.
Azhiev darts in looking for a takedown but Irrozios gets double underhooks and turns Azhiev into the cage.
Frank Irrozios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irrozios's jab looks to have found its range, popping Azhiev under the eye.
A telegraphed right hand from Irrozios misses the target.
Azhiev feints the counter takedown.
Irrozios is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Azhiev can do to turn this around?
A big right from Irrozios misses.
Azhiev slips a jab from Irrozios.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt
and Irrozios counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Azhiev is rocked!
Azhiev darts in looking for a takedown but Irrozios gets double underhooks and turns Azhiev into the cage.
Azhiev is still on wobbly legs! Can Irrozios finish him?
Irrozios misses with a straight left.
Azhiev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Irrozios.

Azhiev shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Irrozios manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Azhiev seems to have recovered his senses.
Azhiev stops Irrozios from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Azhiev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Azhiev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Azhiev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Irrozios manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Azhiev has Irrozios in his guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Irrozios gets to his feet - Azhiev follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azhiev shoots in for a double leg but Irrozios sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Irrozios jabs at Azhiev's body.
Irrozios uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Azhiev has time to react.
Irrozios misses with an uppercut. Azhiev saw that one coming.
Azhiev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Azhiev is breathing heavily.
Irrozios throws a hook to the side of Azhiev's head but Azhiev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Irrozios looks to throw the jab but Azhiev is out of range.
Azhiev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Irrozios.
Irrozios scores with a nice strike.
Irrozios waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Azhiev.
And Azhiev tries to counter it with a takedown but Irrozios pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a takedown but Irrozios manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Azhiev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Irrozios misses with an uppercut. Azhiev saw that one coming.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown but Irrozios shows good takedown defense.
Irrozios pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Azhiev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Irrozios defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irrozios lands with an overhand left.
Irrozios waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Azhiev.
Irrozios looks to land a left hand but Azhiev moved out of range nicely.
Irrozios looks to land a right hand but Azhiev moved out of range.
Azhiev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Azhiev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Irrozios misses with a hook.
Azhiev with the counter takedown but Irrozios avoids it easily.
Irrozios throws a series of punches but Azhiev moves out of range.
Irrozios misses with a looping right.
Irrozios displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Azhiev.
Irrozios looks to land a right hand but Azhiev moved out of range.
Irrozios missing with a left hand there. Azhiev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Irrozios tries to sprawl but Azhiev drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Irrozios manages to escape and get 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!
A jab from Irrozios misses.
Irrozios cracks Azhiev with a right hand to the side of the head.
Azhiev's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Irrozios connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Azhiev scrambles back to his feet.
Irrozios throws a lazy right hand but Azhiev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Irrozios takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Irrozios throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Irrozios throws a shot from downtown. Azhiev moves away and avoids it.
Azhiev moves away from the strike by Irrozios.
Azhiev has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Azhiev there as he acknowledges the shot.
Azhiev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Irrozios sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Azhiev somewhat.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Horrible takedown attempt by Azhiev or perhaps it was just good defense by Irrozios, which made it look bad.
Azhiev tries for a takedown but Irrozios sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Irrozios as he connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Irrozios dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Irrozios sprawls well. Irrozios wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Azhiev gets slowly back to his feet.
Irrozios displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Azhiev.
An attempted straight right counter from Irrozios misses the target.
Irrozios throws a hook to the side of Azhiev's head but Azhiev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Irrozios misses with a looping left.
No luck for Azhiev with that takedown attempt.
Frank Irrozios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anzhor Azhiev.
Azhiev defending well as Irrozios loads up on a big left hand.
Azhiev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Irrozios as he jumps to the side.
It looked like Irrozios wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Irrozios throws an overhand right that lands on Azhiev's shoulder, as Azhiev tries to avoid the shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Irrozios, as that shot connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irrozios misses with a hook. Azhiev ducked under it nicely.
Azhiev with the counter takedown but Irrozios avoids it easily.
Irrozios drops Azhiev with a naaaaasty hook - Azhiev is in real trouble here! Irrozios dives in to side control and pounds out his opponent for a TKO victory! The crowd goes nuts!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:49 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Frank Irrozios!
The defeated Anzhor Azhiev had this to say: '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.'.