PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Azor Ahai (ranked 860 p4p, 1771 weight class) and Rudi Kardi (ranked 37 p4p, 87 weight class). Rudi Kardi has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Azor Ahai's chin.

Ahai
vs
Kardi

188 cm
40
210
29 - 20 - 3

200 cm
26
213
9 - 6 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 20 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Azor Ahai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 2, fighting out of London, Rudi Kardi!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Radbod Blank and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kardi gets tackled into the cage by Ahai. Ahai maintains the clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kardi has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Ahai lands a nice shot to the body.

Kardi drags the fight down to the ground.

Kardi working for a triangle but Ahai defends it easily.
Kardi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Kardi working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ahai has passed into half guard!
Ahai seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kardi has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Ahai escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Ahai!
Kardi is trying to strike from the bottom but Ahai has passed into full mount.
Kardi can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kardi keeps trying to improve his position.
Kardi sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Kardi trying to get back to full guard but Ahai takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Kardi working to try and regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ahai get's back to his feet.
Ahai lands a head kick. Kardi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Rudi Kardi has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kardi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ahai circles away.
Ahai catches Kardi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kardi darts in looking for a takedown but Ahai gets double underhooks and turns Kardi into the cage.
Ahai tries to clinch up.
Kardi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kardi feints the counter takedown.
Kardi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ahai.
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!
Kardi blocks a head kick by Ahai.

Ahai pushes Kardi up against the cage in a clinch.
Kardi fails to pull guard.
Azor Ahai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rudi Kardi.
Ahai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kardi blocks a body shot from Ahai.
Kardi tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahai lands with a left to the head.
Kardi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ahai pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ahai lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kardi backwards.
Ahai is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kardi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kardi goes for a takedown attempt but Ahai pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Kardi tries to keep at a distance but Ahai has taken the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ahai.
Ahai misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short uppercut from Ahai.

Kardi works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kardi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kardi looking to pass the guard.
Ahai can't keep his opponent in guard - Kardi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ahai controlling the position for now.
Ahai might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kardi works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ahai is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kardi thowing shots but they're missing.
Kardi mounts Ahai! Really nice guard pass there!
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 Rudi Kardi's cut.
That's time! Ahai's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ahai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Azor Ahai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ahai moves into the clinch.
Kardi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ahai is defending well.
Ahai misses with some punches.
Ahai misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ahai lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kardi backwards.
Kardi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ahai lands with a short shot to the head.
Kardi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Azor Ahai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rudi Kardi.
Kardi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ahai pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ahai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ahai throws a punch but it's blocked by Kardi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kardi is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Ahai can't fight it off and eventually Kardi manages to take the fight to the floor. Ahai looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kardi won't allow Ahai to get back to his feet.
Kardi throws an elbow that misses. Ahai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kardi's guard. Nice move by Ahai!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kardi working for submissions but it's allowed Ahai to get to half guard.
Ahai takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Ahai wants to take a breather but Kardi is having none of it.
Rudi Kardi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kardi flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back.
Kardi throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Kardi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ahai in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kardi flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Ahai stands up out of the half guard.

Kardi gets a double leg takedown into Ahai's guard.

Ahai has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Kardi is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Ahai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Ahai misses.
Ahai displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kardi.
Ahai scores with the left hand. Kardi knows he should have avoided that one.

That has opened up Rudi Kardi's cut even more.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kardi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahai throws a lazy right hand but Kardi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ahai throws a head kick but Kardi moves out of range.
Kardi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ahai.
Kardi dives in and grabs Ahai's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ahai pushes down on Kardi's head and hops out.
Ahai fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kardi is out of range.
Ahai takes a swing at Kardi's ribcage but misses.
Ahai throws a lazy head kick

so Kardi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ahai is trying to control the position but Kardi postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahai looking for a sweep. Not yet Ahai, not yet.
Kardi looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kardi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kardi tries to free his leg and advance position but Ahai is retaining full guard.
Kardi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kardi postures up in Ahai's guard and throws a big left but Ahai blocks it.

Ahai pushes Kardi off and gets back to his feet.
Kardi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kardi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kardi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ahai sprawls well. Ahai wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kardi gets slowly back to his feet.
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 Rudi Kardi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ahai looks to land a right hand but Kardi moved out of range.
Kardi tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kardi blocks a head kick by Ahai.
Ahai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ahai moves in looking to clinch but Kardi pushes him off.
Kardi only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ahai throws a head kick but Kardi moves out of range.
Ahai wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kardi has his takedown stuffed
and Ahai counters with a left to the body.
Kardi keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ahai gets caught flat footed, as Kardi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Kardi has gone for a leg lock! Ahai slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kardi's guard.

Kardi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Kardi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ahai gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kardi looking for a guillotine here but Ahai defends easily.
Azor Ahai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kardi throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Kardi is looking for a triangle but Ahai pushes his legs off easily.

Kardi working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ahai has passed into half guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back.
Kardi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ahai trying to control the pace.
Ahai wants to get back to his feet.
Kardi trying to get back to full guard but Ahai takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Kardi slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahai tries to stand but can't do so whilst Kardi controls his leg.

Kardi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ahai pulls his head out easily.

Ahai decides to stand and escape the position.
Kardi walks into a left hand.
Kardi tries for a takedown but Ahai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ahai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kardi can do to turn this around?
Ahai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ahai has closed the distance and engaged Kardi in a clinch.
Ahai prevents a takedown attempt there.
Azor Ahai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rudi Kardi.
Kardi wants to take the fight to the mat but Ahai manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Ahai.
Kardi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ahai smiles and moves away.
Kardi goes for a double leg but Ahai avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ahai continues to drive forward.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kardi tries for a takedown but Ahai manages to get underhooks.
Kardi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ahai gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A short right from Ahai.
Rudi Kardi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice body punch from Ahai.
Ahai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Azor Ahai!
Azor Ahai seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.