PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michael Reno (ranked 4766 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mohamedali Alibekov (ranked 3334 p4p, 0 weight class). Reno kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is IAM - Un bon son brut pour les truands. Mohamedali Alibekov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Reno
vs
Alibekov

175 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
26
157 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

SynCity Fightwear

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Reno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mohamedali Alibekov!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, John Kavanagh and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Danga de danga de dang - Alibekov scores with a four punch combination!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Reno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Alibekov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Reno pinned against the cage. Reno gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Alibekov's coach down at Jiu-Jitsu Fighter Academy was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Alibekov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Alibekov tries to keep at a distance but Reno has taken the fight into the clinch.
Reno prevents a takedown attempt there.

Reno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reno moves into the clinch successfully.

Reno breaks from the clinch.
Crunch! Reno slams his shin into Alibekov's torso.

Reno fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Alibekov, pushing him back against the cage.
Alibekov tries for a takedown but Reno manages to get underhooks.
Michael Reno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohamedali Alibekov.
Alibekov looks winded!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Reno manages to break the clinch.

Reno rushes Alibekov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Reno breaks the clinch.
Alibekov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Reno tries to counter with a takedown but Alibekov is quick to defend against it.
Reno tries to land a front kick but Alibekov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Reno moves into the clinch.
Reno misses with the head strike.
Reno prevents a takedown attempt there.

Reno's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Reno clinches up against the cage.
Nice elbow from Reno.
Alibekov trying to stall but Reno improves his position.

Reno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Reno gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Reno closes the distance and clinches.

Reno's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Reno darts in and clinches Alibekov up against the cage.

Reno breaks the clinch.
Alibekov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Reno defends it nicely.

Reno forces Alibekov back against the cage and clinches.

Reno manages to break the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Alibekov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alibekov wants to clinch.
Reno wants to clinch.

Reno closes the distance and clinches.

Reno manages to break the clinch.

Reno closes the distance and pushes Alibekov back into the cage.

Reno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Reno moves into the clinch.

Reno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Reno has taken the fight to the clinch.

Reno breaks the clinch.
Alibekov avoids a kick to the body.
Alibekov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Reno feinted with a counter takedown.

Reno forces Alibekov back against the cage and clinches.
Reno misses with a hook from the clinch.

Reno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Michael Reno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reno tries to close the distance and clinch but Alibekov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Reno pushes Alibekov up against the cage in a clinch.
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!
Alibekov is trying to pull guard but Reno has him pressed against the cage.
Reno's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Reno is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Reno working Alibekov over with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Reno dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Alibekov throws a body kick that misses.
Reno tries to clinch up but Alibekov circles away and keeps his distance.
Reno tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alibekov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Reno rushes Alibekov and presses him up against the cage.

Reno breaks from the clinch.
Alibekov throws a sloppy head kick and Reno moves out of range easily.
Reno wants to clinch.
Alibekov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Reno defends it well.
Reno tries a head kick but it misses.

Reno gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Michael Reno has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reno's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Reno is looking to clinch.
Reno tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Reno is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alibekov can do to turn this around?
Alibekov is breathing heavily.
Reno keeps the fight on the outside.
Reno fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reno looks to clinch
and Alibekov counters with a series of strikes. Reno will be more careful next time no doubt.

It looks like Michael Reno has been cut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Reno looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Reno gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Reno breaks the clinch.
Michael Reno is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Reno tries to clinch but Alibekov is having none of it.
Alibekov counters with a body kick.
Reno tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alibekov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alibekov tries to clinch up but Reno circles away and keeps his distance.
Reno wants to clinch up but Alibekov keeps it at a distance.
Alibekov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Reno is looking to clinch.
Alibekov misses with a takedown attempt - Reno sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Reno tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Alibekov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alibekov shoots in looking for a takedown but Reno manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Alibekov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Reno appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Alibekov shoots in but no luck this time.
Michael Reno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohamedali Alibekov.

Reno takes the fight into the clinch.
Reno landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Reno breaks from the clinch.
Reno tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alibekov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Reno tries to clinch up.
Michael Reno is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Reno moves into range and clinches up with Alibekov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Reno's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Reno gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Reno misses with a punch on the inside.

Reno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Reno tries to clinch up but Alibekov circles away and keeps his distance.

Reno closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reno is working Alibekov over against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Reno tries to break free but Alibekov pushes him back against the cage.

Reno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Reno tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alibekov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Reno wants to clinch.

Reno clinches up with Alibekov and pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Reno.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Reno's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Reno moves to clinch but Alibekov breaks away
and Alibekov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Reno thinking.
Reno wants to clinch up but Alibekov keeps it at a distance.
Reno tries to clinch up but Alibekov circles away and keeps his distance.

Reno has closed the distance and engaged Alibekov in a clinch.
Alibekov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Reno is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Reno tries a body shot but Alibekov blocks it.
Alibekov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Reno is defending well for now.
Alibekov fails to pull guard.
Alibekov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Reno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Alibekov slips under a jab.
Despite the aggression on Alibekov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Reno tries to clinch but Alibekov moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Reno moves in looking to clinch but Alibekov pushes him off.
Reno tries to clinch but Alibekov is having none of it.

Reno closes the distance and clinches.
Reno tries to throw a body punch but Alibekov avoids it by throwing Reno back against the cage.

Reno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Reno closes the distance and pushes Alibekov back into the cage.
Alibekov tries to pull guard but Reno won't allow it.
Alibekov is trying to pull guard but Reno turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Reno pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Reno moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reno trying to land knees to the body.

Reno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alibekov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Reno moves in looking to clinch but Alibekov pushes him off.
Reno tries to clinch up
and Alibekov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alibekov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Alibekov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Reno wants to clinch.
Alibekov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Alibekov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Alibekov moves into the clinch.

Reno pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Reno doesn't manage to clinch there - Alibekov circles away.
Reno tries to clinch but Alibekov moves out of range.
Reno is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alibekov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Reno tries to close the distance and clinch but Alibekov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Alibekov throws a leg kick that misses.
Reno is looking to clinch.
Reno tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Reno doesn't manage to clinch there - Alibekov circles away.
Alibekov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Alibekov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Reno circles away.
Michael Reno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohamedali Alibekov.
Alibekov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Alibekov throws a counter combo.
Reno wants to clinch but Alibekov slips to the side
and Alibekov counters with a left and a right that stings Reno.
The fight stays on the outside here - Reno looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Alibekov is looking for the big counter here.
Reno tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alibekov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reno clinches up against the cage.

Reno breaks the clinch.
Alibekov swats away the attempt to clinch by Reno.
Reno throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Reno tries to clinch but Alibekov moves out of range.

Alibekov gets tackled into the cage by Reno. Reno maintains the clinch.
Reno misses with a knee strike.

Reno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Michael Reno is winning the standup battle so far.

Reno clinches up against the cage.

Reno's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Reno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Crunch! Reno slams his shin into Alibekov's torso.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Alibekov is defended easily by Reno.
Alibekov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reno tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Reno closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Reno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Reno tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alibekov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Alibekov gets tackled into the cage by Reno. Reno maintains the clinch.
Mohamedali Alibekov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michael Reno is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Reno pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Reno moves into the clinch successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Reno showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Reno 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Reno!
Michael Reno managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, SynCity Fightwear, into his post fight interview.