PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hikaru Naoi (ranked 4631 p4p, 3354 weight class) and Akim Afanasy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Afanasy comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Положение (2 Remix) kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Naoi
vs
Afanasy

176 cm
25
212
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
212
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hikaru Naoi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Akim Afanasy!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Afanasy scores with a takedown into Naoi's guard.
Naoi looking for a sweep. Not yet Naoi, not yet.

Afanasy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Naoi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Afanasy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Naoi has his foot on Afanasy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Afanasy works his way back into a safe position though.
Afanasy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Naoi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Afanasy tries to free his leg and advance position but Naoi is retaining full guard.
Afanasy is still trying to improve position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Afanasy postures up.
Afanasy looking to pass the guard.
Afanasy keeps trying to improve his position.
Naoi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Afanasy is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Afanasy cracks Naoi with a solid left hand.
Afanasy pushes down on Naoi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Naoi is looking for a sweep. Afanasy is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Naoi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Afanasy is pushing down on Naoi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Naoi is fighting to maintain full guard but Afanasy has managed to sneak the leg through.

Naoi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Naoi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Afanasy pulls his head out easily.
Afanasy slows the pace down in half guard.
Afanasy takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Naoi looking for submissions off his back.
Afanasy lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Naoi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Naoi actively working from the bottom here.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Afanasy working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Naoi moves into full guard.
Afanasy working some strikes from top position.

Naoi working for a triangle but Afanasy defends it easily.
Afanasy is working Naoi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Afanasy distracts Naoi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Naoi is rocked!
Afanasy gets to his feet and stands over Naoi, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Naoi felt that one! Afanasy unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Naoi from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Akim Afanasy!
Akim Afanasy decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.