PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Alex Alexandrov (ranked 4294 p4p, 23872 weight class) and Sigi Pesalelei (ranked 423 p4p, 590 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Alexandrov
vs
Pesalelei

188 cm
23
205
14 - 7 - 0

189 cm
23
250
14 - 8 - 0

Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alex Alexandrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sigi Pesalelei!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexandrov throws a nice looking combination but Pesalelei bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pesalelei is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Pesalelei looks to land a right hand but Alexandrov moved out of range.
Alexandrov moves out of range as Pesalelei strikes.
A counter left hand to the body from Alexandrov misses its target.
Pesalelei has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Alexandrov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Pesalelei scores with a jab to the head.

Pesalelei closes the distance and clinches.
Pesalelei misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Alexandrov.
I was talking to Alexandrov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Alexandrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Alexandrov breaks the clinch.
Pesalelei throws a right hand that Alexandrov ducks under and follows up with a left that Alexandrov also avoids with ease.

Alexandrov clinches up against the ropes.
Pesalelei swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Alexandrov lands a nice shot to the body.
Pesalelei comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Alexandrov taking a breather.
Alexandrov misses with a punch to the body.
Pesalelei lands with a right to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pesalelei as Alexandrov tries to tie him up.
Alexandrov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov presses Pesalelei against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Pesalelei being controlled against the ropes.
Pesalelei lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Pesalelei throws an elbow that misses.
Pesalelei lands a nice uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Pesalelei.
Alexandrov lands a shot to the body.
Alexandrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pesalelei's elbow.
Alexandrov lands a nice uppercut.
Pesalelei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Alexandrov avoids a wild elbow strike from Pesalelei.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Pesalelei.
Alexandrov struggles to land a body shot inside as Pesalelei controls his hands.
Alexandrov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pesalelei is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pesalelei throws an elbow that misses.
Alexandrov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Alexandrov trying to stall but Pesalelei improves his position.
Pesalelei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Alexandrov breaks the clinch.

Alexandrov has managed to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pesalelei prevents a body shot from Alexandrov.
A right handed body shot lands from Pesalelei.
Alexandrov lands a right hand.
Pesalelei lands an elbow inside that Alexandrov shrugs off.
Alexandrov lands a knee to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pesalelei as Alexandrov tries to tie him up.

Alexandrov breaks the clinch.
Sigi Pesalelei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pesalelei punishes Alexandrov's body with a nice straight punch.
Pesalelei swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Pesalelei moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Alexandrov instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sigi Pesalelei will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pesalelei connects with a jab.
Pesalelei throws a body punch but Alexandrov moves out of range.

Alexandrov moves into the clinch successfully.
Pesalelei looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Alexandrov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Pesalelei misses with some punches.
Pesalelei lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pesalelei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pesalelei lands a right hand that snaps the head of Alexandrov backwards.
A short body shot lands from Alexandrov as the two fighters clinch.
Alexandrov can't find room to land a body shot as Pesalelei controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alexandrov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pesalelei is defending well for now.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Alexandrov avoids a wild elbow strike from Pesalelei.
Alexandrov misses with a body punch.
Pesalelei lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Alexandrov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Alexandrov can't find room to land a body shot as Pesalelei controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesalelei blocks a body shot from Alexandrov.
Pesalelei swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Alexandrov lands a shot to the body.
Alexandrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Pesaleleis head.
Alexandrov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pesalelei misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pesalelei misses with the head strike.
Alexandrov lands a right hand.
Alexandrov avoids a wild elbow strike from Pesalelei.
Sigi Pesalelei seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Pesalelei misses with a punch on the inside.
Pesalelei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alexandrov digs a right hand underneath Pesalelei's ribcage. Pesalelei let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Alexandrov takes an elbow to the temple.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Alexandrov.
Pesalelei throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alexandrovs head.
Alexandrov is working Pesalelei over against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pesalelei scores with a shoulder strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Alexandrov pushes Pesalelei back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Alexandrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pesalelei misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pesalelei misses with some punches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Pesalelei misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pesalelei tries a body shot but Alexandrov blocks it.
Alexandrov prevents a body shot from Pesalelei.
A head punch on the inside from Pesalelei fails to land.
Pesalelei misses with a hook from the clinch.
Alexandrov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Pesalelei throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Alexandrov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pesalelei lands an elbow that stopped Alexandrov in his tracks for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sigi Pesalelei showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Pesalelei misses with a hook.
Alex Alexandrov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pesalelei lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Alexandrov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Alexandrov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Alexandrov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nice elbow from Pesalelei.
A hook to the body from Alexandrov.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pesalelei as Alexandrov tries to tie him up.

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

Alexandrov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pesalelei, pushing him back against the ropes.
Alexandrov blocking some punches.
Pesalelei looking to slow down the pace here.
Alexandrov lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Come on Pesalelei - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Alexandrov pushes Pesalelei back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Sigi Pesalelei has been cut.
Pesalelei scores with a shoulder strike.
Pesalelei throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Alexandrov leaning his opponent against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesalelei doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alexandrov tries to work over Pesalelei's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pesalelei misses with an elbow strike.
Pesalelei throws a head punch that misses.
Alexandrov blocks a body shot from Pesalelei.
Pesalelei works on Alexandrov's body with a couple of short punches.
Pesalelei misses with a hook from the clinch.
Alexandrov tries to work over Pesalelei's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pesalelei lands a nice uppercut.
Pesalelei lands an elbow inside.
Pesalelei lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Pesalelei gets through Alexandrov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Pesalelei misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexandrov has Pesalelei pushed against the ropes.
Pesalelei lands an elbow inside that Alexandrov shrugs off.
Sigi Pesalelei is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

It looks like Alex Alexandrov has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov struggles to land a body shot inside as Pesalelei controls his hands.
Alexandrov blocks an uppercut.
Alexandrov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pesalelei.
Pesalelei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Alexandrov.
Pesalelei throws a head punch that misses.
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!
Alexandrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Alexandrov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pesalelei avoids it.
Stalling in the clinch from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov cracks Pesalelei with a nice body shot.
Good body shot from Alexandrov.
Pesalelei takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Alexandrov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alexandrov lands with a short shot to the head.
Alexandrov tries a body shot but Pesalelei blocks it.
Alexandrov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pesalelei's elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sigi Pesalelei.
Well Pesalelei has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sigi Pesalelei!
Our winner, Sigi Pesalelei, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.