PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Harrison Ovaltine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Bakharev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bakharev has chosen Hatebreed - Live For This as his entrance music. The key to victory for Harrison Ovaltine has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Ovaltine
vs
Bakharev

166 cm
22
135 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

161 cm
21
145 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Harrison Ovaltine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Bakharev!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Sergei Dronov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bakharev has a takedown stuffed.
Bakharev tries to close the distance and clinch but Ovaltine swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bakharev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ovaltine sprawls well. Ovaltine wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bakharev gets slowly back to his feet.
Bakharev tries to clinch up but Ovaltine circles away and keeps his distance.
Bakharev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ovaltine's waist but Ovaltine gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bakharev off to one side.
Harrison Ovaltine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexey Bakharev.
Ovaltine lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ovaltine avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ovaltine fails with the takedown.

Ovaltine closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ovaltine creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Bakharev scores with a shot to the side of Ovaltine's head.
Ovaltine lands a good knee to the midsection. Bakharev won't want to take too many of those.
Bakharev avoiding damage as Ovaltine throws knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ovaltine obliges.
Ovaltine with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ovaltine throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bakharev blocks it with crossed arms.
Ovaltine with a knee to the head.

It looks like Alexey Bakharev has been cut.
A knee to the head by Ovaltine.
Ovaltine tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ovaltine is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bakharev is defending well for now.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ovaltine just misses with a elbow thrown towards Bakharev's brow.
Ovaltine with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Knees to the body from Ovaltine.
Ovaltine is breathing heavily.
Ovaltine tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ovaltine.
Bakharev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Bakharev tries to score a body lock takedown but Ovaltine shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ovaltine lands a nice elbow.
Ovaltine looking to throw knees to the head but Bakharev is blocking nicely.
Bakharev misses with an elbow over the top.
Ovaltine using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bakharev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ovaltine with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bakharev managing to block the knees to the body from Ovaltine.
Bakharev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ovaltine prevents it.
Bakharev looking to stall.
Ovaltine is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bakharev is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakharev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Bakharev wants a takedown but no success here.
Bakharev looking to slow down the pace here.
Bakharev tries to score a body lock takedown but Ovaltine shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ovaltine crunches a lovely knee into Bakharev's ribcage.
Bakharev tries for a takedown but Ovaltine manages to get underhooks.
Ovaltine using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bakharev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bakharev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ovaltine prevents it.
Ovaltine landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ovaltine comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ovaltine with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ovaltine using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bakharev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ovaltine pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nice sprawl there from Ovaltine as Bakharev shoots in.
Ovaltine throws a sloppy head kick and Bakharev moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakharev throws a head kick that half lands.
Bakharev tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Ovaltine counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ovaltine is trying to control the action in half guard but Bakharev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Ovaltine seems to be looking for submissions.
Bakharev is looking for a sweep. Ovaltine is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bakharev is pressing down on Ovaltine's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bakharev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ovaltine manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakharev forces his way into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bakharev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Ovaltine actively working from the bottom here.
Bakharev trying to control the action but Ovaltine is working from the bottom.
Ovaltine tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harrison Ovaltine dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexey Bakharev's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bakharev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ovaltine fails in his attempt to clinch.

Ovaltine clinches.
Bakharev lands a damaging elbow.
Ovaltine lands a knee to the head.

Bakharev has Ovaltine pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Bakharev pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Ovaltine tumbling to the mat - Bakharev dives into Ovaltine's guard.
Bakharev tries to free his leg and advance position but Ovaltine is retaining full guard.
Bakharev is stalling in the full guard.
Bakharev is breathing heavily.
Ovaltine trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ovaltine keeping full guard, as Bakharev tries to pass.
Ovaltine trying to keep a closed guard but Bakharev is proving a slippery customer.
Bakharev trying to control but Ovaltine is working from the bottom.
Ovaltine throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bakharev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bakharev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ovaltine comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ovaltine using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakharev tries to score a body lock takedown but Ovaltine shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A knee to the head by Ovaltine.
Ovaltine tries to land a knee to the head but Bakharev blocks with his arms.
Ovaltine connects with a knee to the head.
Ovaltine is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ovaltine obliges.
Ovaltine unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ovaltine working Bakharev over with knees to the body.
Bakharev taking a breather.
Bakharev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Harrison Ovaltine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexey Bakharev.
Ovaltine missing with knees to the body.
Bakharev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bakharev just leaning against Ovaltine, taking a breather.
Bakharev managing to block the knees to the body from Ovaltine.

Bakharev turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Bakharev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ovaltine, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Ovaltine's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bakharev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ovaltine wants to control but Bakharev postures up.
Ovaltine is not content to let Bakharev control the position.
Bakharev happy to just control the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ovaltine struggling a bit here.

Bakharev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ovaltine tries to buck Bakharev off but Bakharev is having none of it.
Ovaltine sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Bakharev is looking to take a break and control but Ovaltine is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexey Bakharev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alexey Bakharev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ovaltine fails with the takedown

and Bakharev counters with a takedown into side control.
Ovaltine tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

Bakharev is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ovaltine knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ovaltine sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bakharev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ovaltine doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bakharev.
Bakharev wants to take a breather but Ovaltine is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakharev works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ovaltine tries to lock up and control but Bakharev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Bakharev moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Ovaltine has worked his arm free - good work by Ovaltine!
Ovaltine throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Ovaltine is trying to control Bakharev's posture but Bakharev avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bakharev tries to move into full mount but can't pass Ovaltine's legs.
Ovaltine is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ovaltine can't do much from the bottom here.

Bakharev tries for a kimura but Ovaltine is defending well.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ovaltine throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ovaltine tries to clinch up but Bakharev circles away and keeps his distance.
Ovaltine tries to clinch but Bakharev moves away
and Bakharev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ovaltine throws a body kick that misses.
Bakharev circles away from the clinch attempt

and Bakharev counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Ovaltine looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bakharev working Ovaltine over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakharev is looking to take a break and control but Ovaltine is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bakharev wants to free his trapped foot but Ovaltine is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bakharev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ovaltine misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Bakharev is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ovaltine!
Alexey Bakharev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ovaltine is trying desperately to improve position.
Bakharev controlling the position easily from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexey Bakharev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bakharev 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Alexey Bakharev!