PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wanderlei Shogun (ranked 6786 p4p, 5125 weight class) and Archil Aleksidze (ranked 617 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Shogun
vs
Aleksidze

185 cm
18
205
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
18
205
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Wanderlei Shogun!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Archil Aleksidze!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Phil Schofield and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shogun pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Aleksidze lands a big head kick that sends Shogun tumbling to the mat! Aleksidze takes a step backwards and waves Shogun back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Wanderlei Shogun has been cut.
Shogun tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shogun fails with an attempt to clinch.
Aleksidze only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Shogun looks to land a body kick but Aleksidze moved away.

Shogun bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shogun working away.
Aleksidze is trying to get back to half guard.
Aleksidze keeps trying to improve his position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Aleksidze is looking for a sweep.
Shogun happy to just control the position for now.
Aleksidze struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shogun controls the position.

Shogun is trying to get an arm triangle but Aleksidze is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Aleksidze's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aleksidze is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
You can see the frustration on Aleksidze's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

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.
Aleksidze tries to bench press Shogun off him but Shogun keeps the position.
Aleksidze is trying to control Shogun's posture but Shogun avoids it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Shogun works the jab nicely.
Aleksidze lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shogun's sensitive parts.
Shogun shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Aleksidze counters with a stiff right hand.
A nice leg kick from Aleksidze, right into the meat of the thigh.
Shogun tries to clinch up
and Aleksidze counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aleksidze lands with a nice body kick.
A head kick by Shogun misses
and Aleksidze counters with a nice leg kick.
Shogun is breathing heavily.
A solid body kick from Aleksidze.
Aleksidze keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shogun walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Aleksidze scores with a nice body kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Aleksidze.
Shogun throws a head kick that misses.
Aleksidze tries a quick counter leg kick but Shogun is wise to it.
Aleksidze throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shogun pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aleksidze connects with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Aleksidze.
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!
Shogun takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Shogun misses with a takedown
and Aleksidze counters with a nice leg kick.
Aleksidze goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Shogun definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Shogun takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Aleksidze avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Aleksidze lands a big head kick that sends Shogun tumbling to the mat! Aleksidze takes a step backwards and waves Shogun back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Shogun is rocked!
Shogun gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Aleksidze counters with a nice body kick.
Oh Shogun is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wanderlei Shogun. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aleksidze sees an opening and throws a straight punch right through Shogun's defenses. It connects perfectly with Shogun's jaw and knocks him out cold! Wow - that's a contender for knockout of the year - absolutely brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Archil Aleksidze!
Archil Aleksidze seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.