PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anzhor Azhiev (ranked 6559 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Cordolha (ranked 22370 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Azhiev
vs
Cordolha

177 cm
44
144 lbs
30 - 85 - 0

165 cm
23
135 lbs
5 - 11 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 30 - 85 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anzhor Azhiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jose Cordolha!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yuuki Gou and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cordolha gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cordolha looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Azhiev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Azhiev tries to free his leg and advance position but Cordolha is retaining full guard.

Cordolha is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cordolha is trying to control the position but Azhiev postures up.

Azhiev postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Cordolha is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Azhiev, into his guard.

Cordolha trying to stand up but can't free himself from Azhiev's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Azhiev looking for a guillotine here but Cordolha defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Azhiev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cordolha trying to control but Azhiev is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azhiev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cordolha doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cordolha manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cordolha stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Azhiev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cordolha sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Cordolha trying to control the position from guard on top but Azhiev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Azhiev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Azhiev keeping moving, preventing Cordolha from controlling successfully.

Cordolha is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Azhiev looking for a guillotine here but Cordolha defends easily.

Azhiev pushes a forearm under Cordolha's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Cordolha is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Anzhor Azhiev!
Anzhor Azhiev opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.
Jose Cordolha spoke after the fight, saying 'Shiiiiit'.