PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abusupyan Khalilov (ranked 3961 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alberto Moreno (ranked 5308 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Khalilov
vs
Moreno

178 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

172 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abusupyan Khalilov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alberto Moreno!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Franklyn Lucas and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moreno moves in looking to clinch but Khalilov pushes him off.
Moreno lands a head shot.

It looks like Abusupyan Khalilov has been cut.
Moreno throws a series of strikes that have Khalilov backpedaling.

Khalilov has Moreno up against the cage in a clinch.
Moreno working hard to break the clinch.

Khalilov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Moreno can't fight it off and eventually Khalilov manages to take the fight to the floor. Moreno looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Moreno wants to get back to his feet but Khalilov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Moreno keeping full guard, as Khalilov tries to pass.
Moreno wants to stand up but Khalilov is controlling him.
Khalilov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalilov prevents Moreno from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Moreno wriggles free and stands up.
Moreno tries to clinch but Khalilov is having none of it.
Khalilov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Khalilov misses with a series of wild punches.
Khalilov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Moreno finds it's way round the side to connect with Khalilov's head.
Khalilov dives in and grabs Moreno's left leg, looking for a takedown. Moreno pushes down on Khalilov's head and hops out.
Moreno tries to close the distance and clinch up but Khalilov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Khalilov drives through with a takedown into Moreno's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Khalilov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Khalilov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Moreno on the ground.
Khalilov prevents Moreno from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalilov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Moreno wants to get back to his feet but Khalilov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khalilov wants to pass the guard but Moreno is keeping the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Moreno is looking to stand up but Khalilov isn't so interested in that idea.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Moreno is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Moreno looks to land a combination but Khalilov avoids it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Moreno tries to sprawl but Khalilov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Moreno wants to get back to his feet.
Khalilov moves into full mount! Moreno won't be happy about that!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreno really wants to buck Khalilov off and get back to his feet.
Khalilov controlling from mount.
Khalilov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
BOOM! Khalilov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Moreno is trying to stand.
Khalilov landing shots from mount.

Khalilov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Moreno has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Moreno wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Khalilov controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Khalilov jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Moreno manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Khalilov trying to control the action but Moreno is working from the bottom.

Khalilov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Moreno to his feet.
Moreno tries to clinch there but Khalilov circles away.
Moreno lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Moreno.
Khalilov ducks right into an uppercut from Moreno.

Abusupyan Khalilov's cut is getting worse.

Moreno gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Khalilov stands and steps away. Moreno gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Khalilov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Moreno is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Abusupyan Khalilov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Abusupyan Khalilov's cut.
That's time! Khalilov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Khalilov shoots in for a takedown but Moreno shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Alberto Moreno seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Moreno throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Khalilov counters by moving into the clinch.
Moreno tries to break the clinch but Khalilov is controlling the position.
Khalilov missing with knees to the body.
Moreno tries to break the clinch but Khalilov is controlling the position.
Moreno is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Khalilov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Khalilov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Khalilov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Moreno wants to stand up but Khalilov is controlling him.
Khalilov wanted to stand there but Moreno had control of the position.
Khalilov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khalilov wants to stand but Moreno has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Moreno wants to stand but Khalilov is controlling the position.
Khalilov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Moreno is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalilov content to stall in guard here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Moreno wants to stand but Khalilov is controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Moreno throws the left hand but Khalilov avoids the punch easily.

Khalilov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Moreno!
Moreno is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Khalilov is controlling him well.
Khalilov taking a breather here.
Moreno tries to escape but Khalilov is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Khalilov stands up and we're back to a striking position.
A nice combination there by Moreno.
Moreno tries to clinch up but Khalilov circles away and keeps his distance.
Khalilov is looking for a counter combo.

Khalilov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Khalilov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Moreno clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Khalilov looking for the RNC.
Khalilov controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreno covers up after that shot from Khalilov.
Khalilov looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Moreno is keeping busy.
Moreno is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Khalilov punishes Moreno with strikes from the back mount.
Khalilov is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Moreno is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khalilov just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

Khalilov working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Moreno is trying to get back to his feet but Khalilov has full control of the position and if anything, Moreno has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Good control from Khalilov.
Moreno trying to get back to his feet but Khalilov is in full control for now.
Abusupyan Khalilov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Khalilov is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Moreno defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Khalilov is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abusupyan Khalilov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Abusupyan Khalilov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Khalilov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Khalilov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Moreno throws a series of strikes that have Khalilov backpedaling.
Moreno tries to clinch up but Khalilov circles away and keeps his distance.
Khalilov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Khalilov.
Moreno lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Khalilov drives through with a takedown into Moreno's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Moreno wants to stand and escape but Khalilov is having none of it.
Khalilov stays in close to Moreno's body and controls the position.
Khalilov stops Moreno from standing up.
Khalilov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalilov postures up and lands a big shot to Moreno's brow.

Moreno manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Khalilov prevents Moreno from breaking the clinch.
Moreno working hard to break the clinch.
Khalilov is trying to pull guard but Moreno turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Moreno wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Khalilov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Moreno fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abusupyan Khalilov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khalilov misses with a head kick.
Moreno cracks Khalilov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Moreno looks to land a left hand but Khalilov moved out of range nicely.
Moreno just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKhalilov.
Some wild striking there from Moreno.
Moreno scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalilov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Abusupyan Khalilov's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Moreno takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A swing and a miss from Moreno.
Khalilov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Abusupyan Khalilov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Khalilov looking to score a takedown here. Moreno is defending well but Khalilov drives through and ends up in Moreno's guard.
Khalilov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Moreno swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Moreno is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Khalilov controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalilov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Moreno for as long as he can get away with.
Khalilov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Khalilov stays in close to Moreno's body and controls the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Moreno doesn't manage to clinch there - Khalilov circles away.
Khalilov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Moreno gets caught flat footed, as Khalilov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Moreno wants to stand up but Khalilov is controlling him.
Khalilov is looking to stand up but Moreno won't let him.
Moreno wants to get back to his feet but Khalilov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Khalilov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Khalilov rushes Moreno and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Moreno is looking to break free of the clinch but Khalilov has double underhooks.
Khalilov has Moreno pressed against the cage, preventing Moreno from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Moreno tries to break free but Khalilov pushes him back against the cage.
Moreno is pressed up against the cage. Khalilov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Moreno down to the mat. Moreno avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Khalilov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Khalilov backs off Moreno throws a huge counter combo but Khalilov manages to avoid it all.
Alberto Moreno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khalilov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Moreno tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Khalilov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Khalilov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Khalilov pushes Moreno up against the cage in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Moreno is trying to push Khalilov away but Khalilov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Moreno blocks a body shot from Khalilov.
Moreno is looking to break free of the clinch but Khalilov has double underhooks.
Alberto Moreno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abusupyan Khalilov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Moreno is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alberto Moreno comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Khalilov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Abusupyan Khalilov!