PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lauro Turturro (ranked 365 p4p, 52 weight class) and Zabit Samedov (ranked 1832 p4p, 276 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Turturro
vs
Samedov

184 cm
27
208 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

182 cm
27
209 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Woodshins' Ship
THE END 32

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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lauro Turturro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Zabit Samedov!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Samedov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Samedov has Turturro up against the cage in a clinch.
Samedov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Samedov stops a takedown attempt from Turturro.
Samedov stops a takedown attempt from Turturro.
A right hook to the body lands for Samedov.

Turturro is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Samedov can't fight it off and eventually Turturro manages to take the fight to the floor. Samedov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Samedov wants to get back to his feet but Turturro is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Turturro drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Turturro jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Turturro wants to pass the guard but Samedov is keeping the position.

Samedov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Turturro off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samedov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Turturro keeps the fight on the outside.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Samedov enables Turturro to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Samedov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Turturro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Turturro won't allow Samedov to get back to his feet.

Samedov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Samedov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Samedov misses with a punch to the body.
Turturro drops down looking for an ankle pick but Samedov pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lauro Turturro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Samedov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Samedov duly obliges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Samedov wants to clinch but Turturro slips to the side

and Turturro counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Turturro.
Turturro looking to pass the guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turturro wants to pass the guard but Samedov is keeping the position.

Samedov has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Turturro is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Turturro.
Samedov tries a body shot but Turturro blocks it.
Turturro can't get the takedown.
Samedov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A hook to the body from Samedov.

Turturro has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Samedov clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Turturro working for the choke.
Samedov is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Turturro off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Samedov manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.

Turturro manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Samedov on his heels. He'll look to pass Samedov's guard now, I'm sure.
Turturro won't allow Samedov to get back to his feet.
Turturro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turturro trying to control but Samedov is working from the bottom.
Turturro looking to pass the guard.
Turturro controlling from the top position.
Samedov wants to stand up but Turturro is controlling him.
Turturro looking to pass the guard.
Turturro trying to control the position from guard on top but Samedov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Samedov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Samedov throws a right and a left that both miss.

Turturro has Samedov up against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Samedov fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Turturro has hold of one of Samedov's legs. Samedov is fighting the takedown attempt but Turturro gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Turturro drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Turturro jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Turturro works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Samedov tries to kick Turturro off but Turturro keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Turturro wants to work for an arm triangle but Samedov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Samedov is trying to stand back up but Turturro is controlling him
Turturro trying to pass the guard but Samedov defending well.
Turturro is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Samedov!
Turturro controlling his opponent.

Turturro with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Turturro won't let Samedov get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Turturro trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Samedov bucks up and throws Turturro to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zabit Samedov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Samedov wants to clinch up but Turturro keeps it at a distance.
Turturro appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Some wild striking there from Samedov.
Samedov tries to clinch there but Turturro circles away.
Samedov wants to clinch

and Turturro decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Samedov's guard.
Our spies down at at Spartans Gym inform us that Samedov has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Samedov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Samedov can't keep his opponent in guard - Turturro advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Samedov pushes Turturro off and gets back to his feet.
Samedov connects with a high kick.

It looks like Lauro Turturro has been cut.
Samedov tries to clinch but Turturro is having none of it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Turturro.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Samedov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zabit Samedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Turturro looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Samedov is fending him off so far but Turturro persists. Nope, Samedov circles away and we're back to standing.
Turturro has been working on his balance at Kevin Spacey's House of Squats & Grabs, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Samedov.
Turturro circles away from the clinch attempt

and Turturro counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Turturro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samedov wants to stand up but Turturro is controlling him.
Turturro passes into half guard.
Samedov is looking to escape.

Turturro is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Samedov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Turturro.
Turturro is pressing down on Samedov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Samedov is holding on for now.

Turturro is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Samedov defends it well.
Samedov is trying to stand back up but Turturro is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Turturro is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Turturro seems to be working for a kimura but Samedov defends the submission attempt.
Turturro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Samedov keeps working.

Samedov manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Turturro fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lauro Turturro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Samedov tries to clinch but Turturro moves out of range.
Samedov lands with a slapping head kick.
Samedov wants to clinch

and Turturro counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Turturro wants to control from the top but Samedov keeps moving.
Samedov is looking to stand up but Turturro isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turturro trying to control but Samedov is working from the bottom.
Turturro wants to pass the guard but Samedov is keeping the position.

Samedov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Samedov tries to land knees in the clinch but Turturro avoids the damage to the body.
Turturro has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Samedov after a bit of a struggle.
Samedov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Turturro avoids it.
Turturro goes for a takedown in the clinch but Samedov prevents it.
Samedov lands a body shot.
Samedov prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Samedov lands a damaging elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samedov misses with the head strike.
Samedov misses with a body punch.
A hook to the body from Samedov.
Samedov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Turturro is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Samedov lands a knee to the body.
Samedov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
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!
Samedov misses with a punch on the inside.
Samedov misses with an elbow over the top.
Samedov lands an elbow inside that Turturro shrugs off.
Samedov lands a nice elbow.
Samedov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Samedov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Turturro's defenses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Samedov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Turturro's brow.
Samedov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Zabit Samedov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Samedov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Turturros head.
Samedov pushes Turturro back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Samedov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Turturro has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zabit Samedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lauro Turturro's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Turturro shoots for a takedown but Samedov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Samedov is looking to clinch but Turturro is avoiding it.
Zabit Samedov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Samedov tries to clinch but Turturro moves out of range.
Samedov throws a combination. Turturro tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Turturro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Samedov as he avoids it easily.

Samedov drives through and clinches with Turturro against the cage.
Samedov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Turturro managing to block the knees to the body from Samedov.
Samedov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lauro Turturro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Turturro looking for a takedown.
Samedov gets underhooks to prevent Turturro's takedown attempt.
Samedov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Samedov lands an elbow just above Turturro 's eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samedov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Turturro's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Samedov can't find room to land a body shot as Turturro controls the action.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Turturro tightens his grip and picks Samedov up, before dumping him to the ground. Samedov manages to land in guard.
Samedov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samedov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Turturro is trying to drag Samedov to the mat but Samedov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Samedov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Turturro blocks the elbow strike.
Turturro drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Samedov tries to work over Turturro's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Samedov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Turturro drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Samedov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Samedov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Samedov stops a takedown attempt from Turturro.
Samedov presses Turturro against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Turturro can't get the takedown.
Turturro's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Lauro Turturro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samedov lands a nice knee to the body.
Samedov scores with a hook to the body.
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!
Samedov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Samedov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Samedov.
Samedov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Turturro is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Samedov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Samedov.
Samedov works on Turturro's body with a couple of short punches.
Samedov lands an elbow just above Turturro 's eye.
Samedov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Turturro avoids it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Samedov.
Samedov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Samedov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Turturro blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Samedov lands a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Samedov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Turturro managing to block the knees to the body from Samedov.
Turturro blocking some punches.
Samedov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turturro prevents a body shot from Samedov.
Samedov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Turturro drops down looking for an ankle pick but Samedov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Samedov tries to clinch up.

Samedov has closed the distance and engaged Turturro in a clinch.

Turturro gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Samedov wants to get back to his feet.
Samedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Turturro is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Samedov sees it coming and defends easily.
Samedov is looking to escape.
Turturro looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Turturro is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Samedov is trying to stand up here but Turturro is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turturro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Samedov keeps working.

Turturro is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Samedov defends it well.
Samedov is trying to stand back up but Turturro is controlling him

Turturro is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Turturro throwing shots but Samedov is blocking nicely.
Lauro Turturro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Turturro is looking for a kimura but Samedov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Turturro to get the leverage.
Samedov wants to get back to his feet.

Turturro seems to be working for a kimura but Samedov defends the submission attempt.
Samedov wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zabit Samedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Samedov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zabit Samedov!
Zabit Samedov took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Phantom Fightwear for their support in the buildup to the fight.