PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Azamat Gashimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reem Khalid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gashimov comes to the ring accompanied by Mark Ronson – Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars). The key to victory for Azamat Gashimov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Gashimov
vs
Khalid

170 cm
24
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

170 cm
26
154 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Azamat Gashimov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Reem Khalid!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, David Hoff and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gashimov looks to score with a jab to the body but Khalid is just out of range.

Gashimov scores with a takedown into Khalid's guard.
Khalid controlling the position.
Khalid is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Khalid seems to be working for a kimura but Gashimov defends the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gashimov trying to control but Khalid postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalid thows a huge punch but Gashimov dodges it nicely.
Khalid is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Gashimov is not content to let Khalid control the position.

Khalid is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gashimov sees it coming and defends easily.
Khalid wants to free his trapped foot but Gashimov is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Khalid is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gashimov has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Khalid thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gashimov's head.
Gashimov is staying active underneath Khalid, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gashimov manages to get to full guard.
Gashimov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Khalid controls the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Khalid won't allow Gashimov to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Reem Khalid will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gashimov swings away with a body shot that misses

and Khalid counters with a single leg into guard. Gashimov didn't expect that.
Khalid throws a big elbow that misses.
Gashimov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gashimov working a defensive guard but Khalid passes into half guard.
Gashimov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Khalid missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Reem Khalid has got the better of the ground game so far.
Khalid missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Khalid is looking for a kimura here.
Khalid has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gashimov trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Khalid is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Khalid wants to control but Gashimov is keeping him busy.
Khalid is looking to advance position but Gashimov won't allow it.
Khalid trying to control from half guard but Gashimov is working away.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Khalid moves forwards but Gashimov connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gashimov scores with a jab to the head.
Khalid moves out of range of the leg kick from Gashimov.
Khalid is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Khalid has managed to clinch.
Gashimov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Khalid prevents the takedown attempt.
Khalid drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gashimov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Khalid ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Khalid slips under a jab from Gashimov.
Khalid looks like he wants to counter punch here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reem Khalid showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Gashimov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Khalid.
Khalid looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Azamat Gashimov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Gashimov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Khalid looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Gashimov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Khalid is avoiding damage well.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Gashimov wants to control but Khalid is keeping him busy.
Khalid struggling a bit here.
Gashimov throwing strikes but Khalid manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Gashimov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gashimov tries to get out of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gashimov taking punishment in the form of punches.
A lull in the action here as Khalid stalls from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gashimov tries to buck Khalid off but Khalid is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Gashimov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Khalid wants to control but Gashimov is keeping him busy.
Gashimov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Khalid on the ground.
Gashimov trying his best to control but Khalid has mounted him.
Gashimov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Khalid working for a guillotine from mount but Gashimov is in no mood to give up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalid landing strikes from the mount and Gashimov is in trouble!
Khalid trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gashimov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Khalid is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Gashimov can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Gashimov has given up his back. Will we see Khalid going for some submissions?
Reem Khalid is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Khalid punches Gashimov on the ear.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reem Khalid comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Khalid winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reem Khalid!
A victorious Reem Khalid thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.