PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Azim Kaarduu (ranked 3940 p4p, 3949 weight class) and Kwame Kombate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kwame Kombate has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kaarduu
vs
Kombate

173 cm
24
163
1 - 0 - 0

174 cm
24
163
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 Helsinki, Azim Kaarduu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kwame Kombate!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kombate has Kaarduu up against the cage in a clinch.
Kaarduu has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kombate after a bit of a struggle.
Kombate wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kaarduu has him pressed against the cage.
Kaarduu tries to throw a body punch but Kombate avoids it by throwing Kaarduu back against the cage.
Kombate is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kaarduu slowing the pace effectively.

Kaarduu gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Kombate regains guard.
Kaarduu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kaarduu distracts Kombate with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kaarduu throws a big elbow that misses.
Kaarduu wants to pass the guard but Kombate is keeping the position.
Kaarduu scoring with punches to the head and body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaarduu trying to control the position from guard on top but Kombate is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kaarduu throws a big right hand that misses.
Kaarduu throws a big right hand that misses.
Kaarduu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kombate working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kaarduu.
Kaarduu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kaarduu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kaarduu working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kaarduu trying to control the position from guard on top but Kombate is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kaarduu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kaarduu stopping the sweep attempt from Kombate.
Kaarduu scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kaarduu landing some decent shots from guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kaarduu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kaarduu working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kombate keeping moving, preventing Kaarduu from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kombate trying to keep a closed guard but Kaarduu is proving a slippery customer.
Kaarduu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kaarduu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kombate is trying to control the position but Kaarduu postures up.
Kaarduu throws a big elbow that misses.
Kombate looks winded!
Kaarduu chips away with some ground and pound.
Kaarduu makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kombate can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kombate throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Kombate preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kombate keeping moving, preventing Kaarduu from controlling successfully.
Kaarduu is working Kombate over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kaarduu throws a big right hand that misses.
Kaarduu trying to control but Kombate is working from the bottom.
Kaarduu chips away with some ground and pound.
Kombate is looking to stand back up but Kaarduu counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Kombate.
Kaarduu wants to control but Kombate is keeping him busy.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kaarduu connects with a nice short shot to Kombate's temple.
Kombate taking some punishment here, with Kaarduu in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaarduu scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kaarduu lands a nice short elbow.
Kaarduu lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kombate is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kaarduu scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kaarduu looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kombate with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ground and pound from Kaarduu.
Kombate on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kaarduu seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kaarduu takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Azim Kaarduu dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kombate scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kombate lands with a nice combination. Kaarduu backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Azim Kaarduu has been cut.
Kombate keeps the fight on the outside.

Kaarduu is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kombate's half guard.
Kombate taking some punishment here, with Kaarduu in his half guard.
Kombate taking some punishment here, with Kaarduu in his half guard.
Kaarduu looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kombate with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kombate trying to control from the bottom.
Kaarduu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kaarduu scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kaarduu is controlling the pace.
Ground and pound from Kaarduu.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaarduu scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kaarduu working the head and body with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kombate taking some punishment here, with Kaarduu in his half guard.
Kombate is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kaarduu scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kaarduu scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kaarduu lands with a punch from half guard.
Kombate on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Kaarduu there.
Kaarduu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kombate can do to turn this around?
Kaarduu slips a nice elbow through Kombate's hands, connecting with Kombate's forehead.
Kaarduu slips a nice elbow through Kombate's hands, connecting with Kombate's forehead.
Kaarduu lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaarduu trying to control from half guard but Kombate is working away.
Kaarduu lands strikes from half guard.
Kaarduu is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kombate blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kaarduu.
Kombate trying to control here.
Kaarduu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kaarduu drops an elbow to the side of Kombate's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaarduu is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kombate is refusing to be controlled, as Kaarduu sits in half guard.
Kaarduu is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kombate is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Kombate is looking for a sweep. Kaarduu is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kaarduu is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kombate really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kaarduu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kombate is trying to stand.
Kaarduu scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kaarduu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kaarduu seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaarduu drops an elbow to the side of Kombate's head.
Kaarduu throwing shots but Kombate is blocking nicely.
Kaarduu landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kaarduu missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kaarduu is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kaarduu not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kombate has hold of Kaarduu's hands but Kaarduu slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kaarduu looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kombate with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kaarduu trying to mount his opponent but Kombate defends it.
Kombate is looking for a sweep. Kaarduu is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Azim Kaarduu dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Azim Kaarduu's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kombate fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Kombate gets tackled into the cage by Kaarduu. Kaarduu maintains the clinch.
Kaarduu has Kombate pressed against the cage, preventing Kombate from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kombate scores with a hook to the body.
A short right from Kaarduu.
Nice body punch from Kaarduu - that landed with a thud.
Kombate wants to break the clinch but can't.

Kaarduu has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Kombate clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Kaarduu is punishing Kombate with some ground and pound.
Kaarduu landing with strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kaarduu lands punches and elbows.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Kaarduu. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kaarduu has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Kombate.
Kaarduu scores with strikes from the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaarduu scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Kombate is keeping busy.
Kaarduu connects with a big shot to the side of Kombate's head.
Kaarduu lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Kaarduu landing with strikes.
Kombate is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Kombate is trying to remain composed but Kaarduu is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Kaarduu loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Kombate hold on?
Kaarduu has Kombate flattened out and is raining down punches.
Kombate is covering up but some of the strikes from Kaarduu are getting through and doing damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kombate is taking damage to the body and head.
Kombate can't escape the position.
Kaarduu is working the ground and pound. Can Kombate escape?
Kaarduu is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Kaarduu gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Kaarduu gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Kaarduu apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kombate tries to keep at a distance but Kaarduu has taken the fight into the clinch.

Kaarduu turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Kaarduu wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kombate keeps working.
Kaarduu working the head with strikes.
Kaarduu creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kaarduu grinds an elbow into Kombate's temple.
Kaarduu working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kombate taking punishment in the form of punches.
Kaarduu wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kombate keeps working.
Kombate takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Kwame Kombate has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kaarduu working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Kombate can't do much from the bottom here.
Azim Kaarduu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kaarduu grinds an elbow into Kombate's temple.
Kaarduu lands an elbow.
Kombate trying his best to control but Kaarduu has mounted him.
Kombate is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaarduu unloading with bombs!
Azim Kaarduu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kombate is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kaarduu takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kaarduu dominating with strikes here.
Kaarduu with shots to the head and body - Kombate looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kaarduu looking to finish Kombate with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kombate!
Kombate is in a horrible position here. Kaarduu smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kaarduu controlling from the full mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Azim Kaarduu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kaarduu, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Azim Kaarduu!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Azim Kaarduu!
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Azim Kaarduu!

Azim Kaarduu wins by unanimous decision!