PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ay Blyad (ranked 218 p4p, 26 weight class) and Alexander Tverdovskiy (ranked 307 p4p, 38 weight class). Tverdovskiy comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Oxxxymiron - Tentacles kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Alexander Tverdovskiy enters the cage!

Blyad
vs
Tverdovskiy

177 cm
24
158 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
169 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Altitude Clothing
Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ay Blyad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexander Tverdovskiy!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Illya Tyunina and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blyad moves to clinch but Tverdovskiy breaks away
and Blyad takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Tverdovskiy gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nice body punch from Tverdovskiy.
Blyad misses with a body punch.
Tverdovskiy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tverdovskiy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Blyad's brow.
Blyad tries to work over Tverdovskiy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Blyad can't find room to land a body shot as Tverdovskiy controls the action.
Blyad swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tverdovskiy has Blyad pushed against the cage.
Tverdovskiy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Blyad drags the fight down to the ground.
Tverdovskiy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blyad is keeping the position for now.
Blyad can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tverdovskiy controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Blyad isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Tverdovskiy stacks Blyad on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Tverdovskiy!
Blyad can't do much from the bottom here.
Tverdovskiy controls the position.
Tverdovskiy in the domination position with Blyad hanging on.
Blyad is trying to control Tverdovskiy's posture but Tverdovskiy avoids it.
Blyad tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tverdovskiy wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tverdovskiy trying to control the action but Blyad is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blyad tries to buck Tverdovskiy off but Tverdovskiy is having none of it.
A lull in the action here as Tverdovskiy stalls from top position.
Tverdovskiy works to advance to full mount. Blyad defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Blyad wants to control but Tverdovskiy is having none of it.
Blyad is desperately trying to improve his position but Tverdovskiy has a good base and remains in mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tverdovskiy looking to control and managing it successfully.
Blyad really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Blyad wants to hold on but Tverdovskiy pushes him away.
Tverdovskiy controlling the position easily from mount.
Blyad wants to hold on but Tverdovskiy pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tverdovskiy tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Tverdovskiy trying to control but Blyad is having none of it.
Blyad tries to lock up and control but Tverdovskiy gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Blyad is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tverdovskiy is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Tverdovskiy controlling his opponent.
Blyad is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Blyad is looking to escape.
Blyad tries to hold on but Tverdovskiy pushes him away.
Tverdovskiy wants to control the pace but Blyad is squirming around nicely.
Tverdovskiy avoids the attempt from Blyad to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tverdovskiy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Blyad is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Tverdovskiy dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tverdovskiy takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Tverdovskiy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Blyad definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tverdovskiy scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Blyad doesn't seem bothered though.
Tverdovskiy throws the left hand but Blyad avoids the punch easily.
That kick from Tverdovskiy tenderised Blyad's leg. Blyad is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tverdovskiy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Good work by Blyad as he checks the leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Tverdovskiy as Blyad shoots in.
Good shot there by Blyad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tverdovskiy lands a glancing blow to the side of Blyad's head.
Alexander Tverdovskiy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tverdovskiy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tverdovskiy tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Blyad counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tverdovskiy won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blyad looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Tverdovskiy prevents Blyad from moving into mount.

Blyad working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Blyad trying to control the position but Tverdovskiy is working away.
Tverdovskiy is looking to reverse the position.
Blyad wants to control but Tverdovskiy is keeping him busy.

Blyad thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Alexander Tverdovskiy has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Blyad is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tverdovskiy has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tverdovskiy is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Blyad's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Tverdovskiy is positioning himself well to prevent Blyad advancing to mount.

Blyad is working for a kimura but Tverdovskiy is defending it quite comfortably.
Tverdovskiy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tverdovskiy wants to get back to full guard.
Tverdovskiy is controlling Blyad's trapped leg to prevent Blyad from advancing to side control.

Blyad is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blyad is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tverdovskiy has managed to free his arm - good work.
Blyad trying to mount his opponent but Tverdovskiy defends it.
Tverdovskiy slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Blyad wants to control from the top but Tverdovskiy keeps moving.
Tverdovskiy wants to sweep but no luck.

Blyad is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Tverdovskiy is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Tverdovskiy has escaped and now he's on top!

Tverdovskiy is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Blyad is looking for a triangle but Tverdovskiy pushes his legs off easily.
Tverdovskiy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blyad is keeping the position for now.

Blyad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tverdovskiy defends well.
Tverdovskiy's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Blyad is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Blyad controlling Tverdovskiy's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ay Blyad will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Blyad moves into the clinch successfully.
Tverdovskiy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tverdovskiy throws an elbow but misses.
Tverdovskiy stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Blyad.
Blyad misses with a punch on the inside.
Blyad lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tverdovskiy backwards.
Blyad fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Blyad misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tverdovskiy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Blyad misses with the head strike.
Tverdovskiy pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tverdovskiy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Blyad's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Blyad drags the fight down to the ground.
Tverdovskiy trying to control but Blyad is working from the bottom.
Tverdovskiy being controlled here momentarily.
Blyad controls Tverdovskiy momentarily but Tverdovskiy frees himself.
Tverdovskiy trying to control but Blyad is working from the bottom.

Blyad has an active guard here but Tverdovskiy has managed to pass into half guard.
Tverdovskiy wants to free his trapped foot but Blyad is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Blyad looking for subs from the bottom but Tverdovskiy mounts him!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy avoids the attempt from Blyad to control.
Tverdovskiy trying to control but Blyad is having none of it.
Blyad bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Tverdovskiy controlling the position.
Blyad trying to control but Tverdovskiy is working from the bottom.

Blyad drops back looking for a leg! Tverdovskiy is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tverdovskiy manages to kick Blyad off! Blyad jumps back into Tverdovskiy's guard.
Blyad throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tverdovskiy wants to sweep here but Blyad controlling him for the moment.
Blyad sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Blyad is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Tverdovskiy is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Tverdovskiy has escaped and now he's on top!

Tverdovskiy controls from within his opponent's guard.
Blyad is trying to hold Tverdovskiy in close to prevent damage but Tverdovskiy has managed to pass into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Tverdovskiy tries to pass the half guard into mount. Blyad knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Tverdovskiy wants to control but Blyad is keeping him busy.
Blyad is trying is best to control the position here.

Blyad looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tverdovskiy passes to full mount!
Tverdovskiy looking to control and managing it successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Blyad tries to lock up and control but Tverdovskiy gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Blyad keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Alexander Tverdovskiy just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tverdovskiy throws a big shot that misses.
Blyad shoots in but Tverdovskiy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tverdovskiy throws a right hand that misses

and Blyad holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Blyad tries to throw a body punch but Tverdovskiy avoids it by throwing Blyad back against the cage.
Blyad is leaning against Tverdovskiy and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Blyad fails to land.
Tverdovskiy prevents a body shot from Blyad.
Blyad throws a punch but it's blocked by Tverdovskiy.
Nice elbow from Tverdovskiy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blyad cracks Tverdovskiy with a nice body shot.
Blyad blocks an elbow strike.
Tverdovskiy blocks a body shot from Blyad.
Blyad misses with the head strike.
Tverdovskiy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Blyad doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blyad gets through Tverdovskiy's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Blyad misses with a punch on the inside.

Blyad jumps into guard, dragging Tverdovskiy to the mat.
Blyad is trying to control the position but Tverdovskiy postures up.

Blyad had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tverdovskiy defends it easily.
Tverdovskiy seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Blyad escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tverdovskiy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tverdovskiy slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Blyad looking for a guillotine here but Tverdovskiy defends easily.
Blyad keeping moving, preventing Tverdovskiy from controlling successfully.
Tverdovskiy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Tverdovskiy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blyad swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Blyad trying to control the position.

Blyad looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy wants to control from the top but Blyad keeps moving.
Tverdovskiy showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Blyad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tverdovskiy defends well.
Blyad trying to control the position.
Tverdovskiy must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tverdovskiy being controlled here momentarily.
Blyad is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four 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.
The fighters circling - Tverdovskiy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tverdovskiy throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tverdovskiy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tverdovskiy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tverdovskiy connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tverdovskiy finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tverdovskiy stalling the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tverdovskiy is trying to stall.
Blyad tries to throw a body punch but Tverdovskiy avoids it by throwing Blyad back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tverdovskiy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Blyad's brow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Alexander Tverdovskiy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tverdovskiy scores with a crisp jab that stopped Blyad in his tracks.
Tverdovskiy chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tverdovskiy throws a push kick but Blyad slaps the foot to one side.
Tverdovskiy lands a nice leg kick that just misses Blyad's sensitive parts.
Tverdovskiy throws an off balance right hand

and Blyad counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Blyad.
Blyad looking to sit in guard and control but Tverdovskiy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Blyad not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

Blyad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tverdovskiy defends well.

Blyad working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tverdovskiy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tverdovskiy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blyad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tverdovskiy defends well.
Blyad has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Blyad wants to control but Tverdovskiy passes easily into half guard.

Blyad looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Still in half guard, Tverdovskiy seems content to control.
Blyad is looking to improve his position.
Ay Blyad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Blyad is trying to control but can't.
Blyad wants to get back to full guard.
Blyad is trying is best to control the position here.

Blyad looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tverdovskiy is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Let's hope that Tverdovskiy has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Tverdovskiy tries to stand but can't do so whilst Blyad controls his leg.
Blyad won't allow Tverdovskiy to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tverdovskiy is taking a breather. Blyad says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A slow jab from Tverdovskiy misses its intended target.
Tverdovskiy throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

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

Blyad drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tverdovskiy manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Blyad has Tverdovskiy in his guard.

Blyad looking to control.
Tverdovskiy passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Blyad tries to improve position but can't.
Blyad struggling a bit here.
Blyad is not content to let Tverdovskiy control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blyad tries to improve position but can't.
Blyad is working hard here to advance position.
Blyad is not content to let Tverdovskiy control the position.
Tverdovskiy tries to advance to mount but can't.
Blyad tries to buck Tverdovskiy off but Tverdovskiy is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tverdovskiy tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Tverdovskiy working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Tverdovskiy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tverdovskiy has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 46:49
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 47:49
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Tverdovskiy!
Alexander Tverdovskiy is the new lightweight champion!
A relieved looking Alexander Tverdovskiy thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.