PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blaine Hurst (ranked 24613 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ali Ajan (ranked 3756 p4p, 0 weight class). Ali Ajan has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Blaine Hurst's chin.

Hurst
vs
Ajan

203 cm
19
214 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

200 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Blaine Hurst!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ali Ajan!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Mauricio Rocha and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hurst circles away from the clinch attempt

and Hurst counters with a shoot takedown. Ajan fights it but they end up in guard.
Ajan is wriggling around but Hurst manages to pass to half guard.

Ajan actively working from the bottom here.

Hurst is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ajan doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hurst.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hurst keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ajan punching from the bottom.

Hurst is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Ajan as he works his way to full guard.

Ajan throws his legs up looking for a submission but Hurst uses it to pass to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ajan is trying to work for a sweep but Hurst has mounted him!
Hurst scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ajan?
Hurst tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ajan tries to control Hurst's body but Hurst pushes him off. Ajan squirms to his side and now Hurst has his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hurst controls the position.
Hurst seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ajan for as long as he can get away with.
Hurst lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Ajan is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Hurst.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
I really don't envy Ajan right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hurst looking to break Ajan's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Ajan remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Hurst will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Hurst tightening his grip on Ajan, looking for the choke.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ajan preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Hurst.

Hurst patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Ajan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hurst. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Hurst is looking for the choke from the back position but Ajan is controlling his hands well.

Hurst working for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hurst is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Ajan has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Ajan is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Ajan is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blaine Hurst dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ajan throws a leg kick that is checked

so Hurst counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Hurst drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ajan dives on top into guard.

Hurst keeping moving, preventing Ajan from controlling successfully.
Hurst managing to control the position.
Ajan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Hurst is looking for a triangle but Ajan pushes his legs off easily.
Hurst is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ajan can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ajan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hurst swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hurst pulls Ajan in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ajan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hurst swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Hurst escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ajan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hurst managing to control the position.
Ajan prevents Hurst from getting back to his feet.
Ajan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hurst wants to sweep but no luck.
Ajan wants to get up but he can't break Hurst's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ajan looking to sit in guard and control but Hurst gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hurst is stalling in the full guard.
Ajan working a defensive guard but Hurst manages to pass into side control anyway.
Ajan tries to buck Hurst off but Hurst is having none of it.

Hurst working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hurst taking a breather here.
Ajan manages to get back to half guard.
Hurst prevents Ajan from improving his position.

Hurst is looking for a kimura but Ajan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hurst to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hurst is controlling the pace.

Hurst is working for an americana but Ajan has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Hurst was thinking about the submission.

Hurst drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ajan dives on top into guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hurst is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ajan is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blaine Hurst dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ajan looks to clinch

and Hurst counters with a takedown into side control.
Hurst working away.

Hurst is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ajan is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
A lull in the action here.

Hurst thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ajan is trying to work for a sweep but Hurst has mounted him!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ajan wants to control but Hurst is having none of it.

Hurst working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Hurst working for a guillotine from mount but Ajan is in no mood to give up.
Ajan is wriggling around trying to escape.

Hurst has control of Ajan's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ajan regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ajan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Hurst quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Hurst but it's paid off an Ajan is forced to tap! Nice work by Hurst.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Blaine Hurst!