PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Serafim Lupei (ranked 337 p4p, 168 weight class) and Azor Ahai (ranked 55 p4p, 27 weight class). Azor Ahai acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Lupei
vs
Ahai

184 cm
40
211
33 - 25 - 2

188 cm
36
210
25 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Hoarse Pills

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 33 - 25 - 2, fighting out of London, Serafim Lupei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Azor Ahai!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, William Gold and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahai scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lupei lands a jab to the nose.
Lupei lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Lupei thows a leg kick but Ahai checks it
and Ahai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lupei throws a lazy head kick
letting Ahai counter with a right hand.
Serafim Lupei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lupei shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ahai eats them both and turns towards Lupei to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Lupei throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ahai darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lupei fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ahai throws a head kick that misses.
Ahai misses with an uppercut
and Lupei counters with a nice uppercut.
Lupei lands with a shot to the body.
Lupei throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Despite the aggression on Ahai's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nice straight punches there by Lupei. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lupei.
Ahai throws a looping overhand right but Lupei ducks down to avoid it.
Lupei cracks a nice hook into Ahai's ribs.

Ahai closes the distance and clinches.
Lupei digs a right hand into Ahai's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ahai's gas tank.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupei tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ahai just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ahai lands an uppercut.
Lupei prevents a body shot from Ahai.
Ahai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lupei misses with a punch to the body.
Ahai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ahai lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lupei backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Lupei.
Lupei pressing his opponent against the cage.
Lupei takes a shot to the head.
Lupei blocks a body shot from Ahai.
Lupei tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A right hand to the body from Lupei.
A short right from Ahai.
Ahai leaning against his opponent.
Lupei goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ahai scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ahai tries a body shot but Lupei blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lupei struggles to land a body shot inside as Ahai controls his hands.
Lupei cracks Ahai with a nice body shot.
Lupei doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lupei lands with a left to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ahai misses with a punch on the inside.
Lupei cracks Ahai with a nice body shot.
Nice body punch from Lupei - that landed with a thud.
Ahai lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lupei struggles to land a body shot inside as Ahai controls his hands.

Lupei decides to pull guard.
Lupei not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Lupei has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ahai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ahai stands up from Lupei's guard - Ahai perhaps looking for a knockout.
Lupei looks to throw the jab but Ahai is out of range.
Lupei swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lupei. Ahai does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupei bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lupei takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Lupei throws an overhand right that lands on Ahai's shoulder, as Ahai tries to avoid the shot.
Lupei swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ahai.
Lupei throws a hook but Ahai avoids it easily.
Lupei throws the left hand but Ahai avoids the punch easily.
Ahai scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lupei is looking to slow Ahai down with leg kicks.
Ahai slips a jab from Lupei.
Ahai thinks about the counter body kick.
Lupei misses with a double jab
and Ahai counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ahai scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lupei doesn't seem bothered though.
A punch combination from Lupei misses.
Ahai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ahai scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ahai fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lupei.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupei throws a shot from downtown. Ahai moves away and avoids it.
Lupei misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circling - Ahai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ahai needs to keep his hands up - Lupei had a free shot at his head there.

Lupei gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Lupei struggles to land a body shot inside as Ahai controls his hands.
Lupei tries to pull guard but Ahai forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Serafim Lupei. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lupei is trying to stall.
Ahai pushes Lupei back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Lupei tries to throw a body punch but Ahai avoids it by throwing Lupei back against the cage.
Ahai slowing the pace effectively.
Lupei swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lupei doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Ahai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jab by Lupei.
Ahai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lupei was well out of range. Poor timing from Ahai.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Serafim Lupei will probably get the nod.
That's time! Lupei's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A shot to the body from Lupei misses
and Ahai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ahai digs a good body shot into Lupei's ribs.
Ahai lands a body shot.
Ahai connects with a body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ahai.
Lupei misses with a lunging right hand
and Ahai counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Lupei checks the leg kick.
Lupei slips a jab from Ahai.
Decent striking displayed by Lupei there.
A jab from Ahai finds it's way through Lupei's defenses.
Lupei comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ahai moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ahai tries to clinch up.
Ahai jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Lupei lands the left hand.
Ahai takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupei throws the left hand but Ahai avoids the punch easily.
Lupei throws a series of punches but Ahai avoids them all with ease.
Ahai throws a looping overhand right but Lupei ducks down to avoid it.
Lupei tries to clinch but Ahai is having none of it.
Ahai waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lupei.
Lupei walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ahai checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Lupei works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lupei misses with a kick to the body.
Ahai fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lupei looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lupei scores with a hook.
Lupei misses the shot to the body.
Serafim Lupei is winning the standup battle so far.
Lupei scores with a kick to the body.
Ahai chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lupei can pounce on him.
A big left from Lupei misses.
Ahai follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A low kick from Lupei is predictable there
and Ahai counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lupei throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ahai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ahai scores with a jab to the body.

Ahai gets a clinch.
Lupei can't find room to land a body shot as Ahai controls the action.
Lupei is trying to pull guard but Ahai has him pressed against the cage.
Ahai will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Lupei up against the cage.
Ahai has a couple of punches blocked by Lupei.
Ahai misses with a punch to the body.
Ahai lands a left hand.
Lupei throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ahais head.
Lupei throws an elbow but it misses.
Ahai has a couple of punches blocked by Lupei.
Lupei misses with a punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Ahai scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ahai lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Ahai on the inside.
Lupei misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ahai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Lupei fails to land.
Lupei scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ahai.
A right hand to the body from Lupei.
Lupei working aggressively here.
Lupei lands a body shot.
Still in the clinch, Lupei scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lupei.
Ahai is breathing heavily.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ahai as Lupei tries to tie him up.
Lupei blocks an uppercut.
Lupei blocks an uppercut.
Ahai blocks an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Lupei - that landed with a thud.
Lupei tries to pull guard but Ahai holds him up against the cage and eventually Lupei drops back down to his feet.
Ahai lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahai is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lupei working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ahai throws a punch but it's blocked by Lupei.
A short body shot lands from Lupei as the two fighters clinch.
Ahai lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ahai working aggressively here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ahai.
Lupei lands a right hand.
Ahai prevents a body shot from Lupei.
Lupei blocks an uppercut.
Lupei lands with a right to the head.
Lupei trying to stall but Ahai improves his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ahai working aggressively here.
Lupei misses with a hook to the ribs.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Lupei lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ahai misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Azor Ahai will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Lupei misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ahai.
Ahai takes a swing at Lupei's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lupei. Ahai does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lupei swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lupei throws a lazy body kick
and Ahai counters with a leg kick.
Ahai connects with a body shot.
Ahai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ahai feints a counter leg kick.
Ahai slips under a jab.
Lupei tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ahai was well out of range. Poor timing from Lupei.
Ahai motions for Lupei to come forward. Ahai throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahai blocks a jab.
Lupei throws a body shot but no joy.
Lupei keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lupei just misses with a punch to the body.
Good shot there by Ahai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupei moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Lupei sizes up Ahai with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Lupei takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ahai scores with a hook to the body. Lupei takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ahai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lupei ducks under a wild hook from Ahai.
Ahai moves away from the strike by Lupei.
Ahai misses with an uppercut.
Lupei fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Lupei avoids the body shot from Ahai.
Lupei looks for the body kick but Ahai saw that one coming.
Lupei throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ahai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lupei paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Lupei tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ahai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lupei ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lupei moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Lupei is looking to clinch but Ahai is avoiding it.
Lupei looks to score with a jab to the body but Ahai is just out of range.
Lupei just misses with a punch to the body.
Ahai looks to land a left hand but Lupei moved out of range nicely.
Lupei takes a swing at Ahai's ribcage but misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lupei.
Lupei with a nice calf kick.
Ahai with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A big left from Lupei misses.
Ahai only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ahai chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lupei can pounce on him.
Ahai is looking to clinch.
Ahai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ahai! But no joy.
Ahai connects with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupei throws a low kick, looking for Ahai's leg but Ahai calmly moves out of range.
Lupei backing away here, and Ahai unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Ahai is looking to slow Lupei down with leg kicks.
Nice defenses there by Ahai.
A big left from Lupei misses.
Ahai jabs Lupei to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ahai tried to score with a low kick but Lupei checks it.
Ahai moves out of range as Lupei strikes.
Ahai walks into a straight right hand from Lupei.
Lupei misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ahai.
Lupei backing away here, and Ahai unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Ahai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ahai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ahai swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lupei tries to close the distance and clinch but Ahai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ahai.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Lupei - that will leave a mark!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupei misses with a straight left.
Ahai scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lupei moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lupei moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ahai throws out a loose jab but Lupei uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ahai looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lupei is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ahai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ahai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lupei.
Ahai slips a straight right by Lupei.
Lupei misses with a shot to the body
enabling Ahai to counter with a crisp jab.
Ahai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ahai loads up on a big right hand but Lupei slips the punch.
Lupei will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Lupei tests Ahai's chin there with a solid looking shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Serafim Lupei.
I think Lupei 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!