PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Azor Ahai (ranked 153 p4p, 220 weight class) and Kollaa River (ranked 23 p4p, 34 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ahai
vs
River

188 cm
36
210
24 - 13 - 1

185 cm
37
205
23 - 13 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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NARCOS

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 24 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Azor Ahai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kollaa River!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Ackerman and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahai lands a glancing blow to the side of River's head.

It looks like Kollaa River has been cut.
River jabs Ahai right on the nose. Ahai blinks but takes it well.
We've been informed that River has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Ahai throws a body punch but River moves out of range.
River with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ahai throws a head kick but River moves out of range.
River takes a swing at Ahai's ribcage but misses.
Ahai was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ahai misses with a hook.
River just misses with a punch to the body.
Ahai listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ahai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from River.
Ahai lands a nice hook to River's body. River takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ahai staying out of range there.
Nice body punch from River.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ahai lands with a nice body punch.
Ahai scores with the left hand. River knows he should have avoided that one.
Ahai connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
River waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ahai.
Ahai swings for the body but River moves out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by River.
River scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ahai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
River throws a hook to the side of Ahai's head but Ahai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
River takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A swing and a miss from Ahai.
Ahai thows a left - swing and a miss!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ahai.
Ahai takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
River defending well as Ahai loads up on a big left hand.
Ahai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but River was well out of range. Poor timing from Ahai.
River misses with a body shot.
River throws out a loose jab but Ahai uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahai scores with a jab 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!
River pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ahai throws the kick towards the body but River avoids it.
Ahai lands a nice shot that snaps River's head back.
Ahai connects with an inside leg kick.
River blocks a head kick by Ahai.
River misses with a lunging right hand
and Ahai counters with a low kick, right behind River 's knee.
A jab from River misses.
Ahai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as River throws out the jab.
Kollaa River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
River throws a shot from downtown. Ahai moves away and avoids it.
A punch lands to the side of Ahai 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Ahai ducks under a wild hook from River.
River scores with a nice head shot.
River swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ahai with the inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ahai manages to avoid it.

Ahai drives through and clinches with River against the cage.
Ahai struggles to land a body shot inside as River controls his hands.
Ahai gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from River.
River lands a nice uppercut.
Ahai prevents the takedown attempt.
Ahai working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ahai taking a breather.
Ahai tries to work over River's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
River throws a head punch that misses.
River presses Ahai against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
River misses with the head strike.
River looking to slow down the pace here.
River tries to throw a body punch but Ahai avoids it by throwing River back against the cage.
Ahai lands a right hand that snaps the head of River backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ahai is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Azor Ahai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kollaa River.
River can't get the takedown.
Ahai misses with a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ahai.
Ahai tries to throw a body punch but River avoids it by throwing Ahai back against the cage.
River misses with a punch to the body.
Good body shot from Ahai.
Ahai letting River take a breather here.
River tries for a takedown. No joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ahai lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ahai digs a right hand underneath River's ribcage. River let out a lung full of air as it connected.
River struggles to land a body shot inside as Ahai controls his hands.
River's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ahai lands a nice shot to the body.
River looks winded!
Ahai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ahai tries to throw a body punch but River avoids it by throwing Ahai back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Ahai.
Ahai gets through River's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Azor Ahai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kollaa River's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

River takes one to the side of the head.
Ahai throws out a leg kick but River moves out of range and Ahai only half commits.
Azor Ahai is winning the standup battle so far.
Ahai fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. River looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
River lands a body shot.
River swings widly with a right hand
and Ahai counters with an inside leg kick.
Ahai digs a good hook to River's body.
Ahai with a nice cross.
River looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
River cracks Ahai with an open hand slap.
Ahai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River.
Ahai lands a jab to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ahai scores with a decent looking hook.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Ahai on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ahai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that River can do to turn this around?
The fight stays on the outside here - Ahai looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ahai.
River lands with a right hand.
Ahai lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A looping hook to the body misses from River. Ahai does a little dance to reset his feet.
River connects with the punch.
River fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ahai takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ahai drops his hands momentarily and River takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ahai moves away from the strike by River.
Ahai lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
River rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ahai makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nice defenses there by River.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
River lands a right hook to the body.
Ahai just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River throws an off balance right hand
enabling Ahai to counter with a crisp jab.
Ahai pivots, looking for a leg kick but River is out of range and Ahai settles back down.
River on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ahai. Ahai obviously looking to wear him down.
A jab from River does it's job there.
Azor Ahai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
River has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from River there as he acknowledges the shot.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ahai - that will leave a mark!
River uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ahai.
Ahai ducks under a wild hook from River.
River just misses with a punch to the body.
River throws a body shot but no joy.
River moves out of range as Ahai throws a body kick.
River tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ahai avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ahai connects with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from River.
Ahai throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
River misses with a body shot.
River throws a right hand that misses
and Ahai counters with a low kick, right behind River 's knee.
River tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
River throws a big shot that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Ahai on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ahai throws the left hand but River avoids the punch easily.
Ahai throws a half hearted mid kick.
River connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
River takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ahai moves into range and connects with a jab.

That has opened up Kollaa River's cut even more.
Ahai throws a low kick, looking for River's leg but River calmly moves out of range.
River appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Ahai wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahai connects with a body shot that sends River's belly button to the back.
River scores with the left hand. Ahai knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ahai.
River throws a big shot that misses.
River throws the left hand but Ahai avoids the punch easily.
Ahai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
River scores with a jab to the body.
River on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
River throws a lazy uppercut
and Ahai counters with a solid body kick.
River takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Azor Ahai dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kollaa River's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ahai throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Ahai rushes River and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ahai.
Ahai cracks River with a nice body shot.
River misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ahai blocking some punches.
Ahai lands on the inside with an uppercut.
River tries to score a body lock takedown but Ahai shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
River fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ahai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
River blocks an uppercut.
River blocks a body shot from Ahai.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, River creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ahai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Ahai fails to land.
Ahai lands a left hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by River.
Ahai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Azor Ahai has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ahai trying to stall but River improves his position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ahai.
Ahai lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of River backwards.
River wants a takedown.
A right handed body shot lands from Ahai.
A short left from River.
Ahai stalling in the clinch.
River tries to throw a body punch but Ahai avoids it by throwing River back against the cage.
Ahai dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ahai lands a shoulder strike.
Ahai prevents the takedown attempt.
Azor Ahai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kollaa River.
Ahai lands a left hand.
River prevents a body shot from Ahai.
Still in the clinch, Ahai scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kollaa River has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Azor Ahai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River has Ahai pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ahai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
River takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
River content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ahai has River pushed against the cage.
A short right from Ahai.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ahai.
Ahai lands a left hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
River swings wildly with an uppercut but Ahai uses good head movement to avoid it.
River's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A shot in the inside from Ahai.
A shot in the inside from Ahai.
River can't find room to land a body shot as Ahai controls the action.
River goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ahai gets through River's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
River prevents a body shot from Ahai.
Ahai misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ahai is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ahai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ahai lands a left hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
River is trying to drag Ahai to the mat but Ahai just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ahai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ahai blocks an uppercut.
River blocking some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ahai.
Ahai scores with an uppercut up the middle.
River tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A shot in the inside from Ahai.
River goes for a takedown attempt but Ahai pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ahai lands a lovely overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River misses with a looping right.
Ahai pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
River gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ahai scores with a nice body kick.
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!
A thudding body kick lands there by Ahai!
Ahai scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
River misses with a hook to the body
and Ahai counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ahai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
River thows a left - swing and a miss!
A big right from River misses.
River misses with a left hand
and Ahai counters with a lovely straight right hand!
River misses with a wild body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Azor Ahai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ahai has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Azor Ahai!
Azor Ahai decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.