PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Demetrius Alvarez (ranked 4693 p4p, 4708 weight class) and Bukhuti Favlenishvili (ranked 258 p4p, 263 weight class). Demetrius Alvarez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Alvarez
vs
Favlenishvili

225 cm
25
145
0 - 1 - 0

184 cm
25
145
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Demetrius Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bukhuti Favlenishvili!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Summer Carpenter and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Favlenishvili gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Alvarez to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Alvarez throws a big elbow that misses.

Alvarez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Favlenishvili, up you get!
Alvarez misses with a takedown
and Favlenishvili counters with a leg kick.

Favlenishvili closes the distance and pushes Alvarez back into the cage.
Favlenishvili manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Favlenishvili's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Favlenishvili has closed the distance and engaged Alvarez in a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Favlenishvili is stalling here.
Favlenishvili tries to score a body lock takedown but Alvarez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Favlenishvili manages to pull guard.
Alvarez pushing down on Favlenishvili's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Alvarez trying to pass the guard but Favlenishvili defending well.
Alvarez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Favlenishvili is trying to get back to full guard.

Alvarez stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Favlenishvili to get to his feet.
Alvarez misses with a head kick.

Favlenishvili clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez taking a breather.

Favlenishvili pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Alvarez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Favlenishvili paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alvarez is looking to clinch.

Favlenishvili forces Alvarez back against the cage and clinches.

Favlenishvili breaks the clinch.
Favlenishvili throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Alvarez's waist but Alvarez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Favlenishvili off to one side.
Alvarez misses with a low kick.
Favlenishvili goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Alvarez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Alvarez decides to stand back up.

Alvarez gets the takedown into side control.
Alvarez lands an elbow.
Alvarez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Horrible takedown attempt by Alvarez or perhaps it was just good defense by Favlenishvili, which made it look bad.
Favlenishvili scores with a jab to the head.
Alvarez pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Alvarez misses with an uppercut.
Alvarez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Favlenishvili circles away quickly and effectively.
Favlenishvili with the counter takedown but Alvarez avoids it easily.
Favlenishvili shoots in and drives through. Alvarez sprawls well.
Demetrius Alvarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bukhuti Favlenishvili.
Alvarez loads up on a big right hand but Favlenishvili slips the punch.

Alvarez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Favlenishvili looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez wants to control but Favlenishvili is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Favlenishvili is looking to reverse the position.
Favlenishvili looks winded!
Alvarez in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Alvarez stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Alvarez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Favlenishvili unleashes a big counter combination but Alvarez bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bukhuti Favlenishvili will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Favlenishvili fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Alvarez avoids it really well and circles away.
Alvarez attempts a counter takedown but Favlenishvili avoids it well and moves away.
Favlenishvili fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Alvarez avoids it really well and circles away.

Alvarez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Favlenishvili scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Alvarez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alvarez closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Favlenishvili's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Favlenishvili wants to get back to his feet but Alvarez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Alvarez trying to control but Favlenishvili is working from the bottom.
Alvarez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Favlenishvili is keeping the position for now.

Favlenishvili is working an open guard so Alvarez takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Alvarez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Favlenishvili!
Alvarez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Favlenishvili looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Alvarez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Alvarez is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Favlenishvili's half guard.
Favlenishvili is refusing to be controlled, as Alvarez sits in half guard.
Favlenishvili looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez escapes and gets back to his feet.
No luck for Favlenishvili with that takedown attempt.
Demetrius Alvarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bukhuti Favlenishvili.
Favlenishvili is breathing heavily.

Alvarez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Favlenishvili wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Alvarez manages to pass to side control.

Alvarez is trying to control. Favlenishvili wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Favlenishvili blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alvarez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Favlenishvili manages to get to full guard.
Alvarez advances position into side control!

Alvarez stands up.
Favlenishvili checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Alvarez tries to clinch up but Favlenishvili circles away and keeps his distance.

Alvarez closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Favlenishvili did well to prevent Alvarez getting side control.
Favlenishvili tries to kick Alvarez off in order to stand up. Alvarez Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Demetrius Alvarez dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Demetrius Alvarez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Favlenishvili.
Favlenishvili has a takedown stuffed.
Alvarez wants to clinch.

Favlenishvili gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Alvarez to score an easy takedown into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Favlenishvili keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alvarez gets to his feet. Favlenishvili looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Alvarez looks for a takedown but Favlenishvili sprawls well.
Alvarez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Favlenishvili counters with an outside leg kick.
Favlenishvili misses with a double jab.
Alvarez fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Alvarez or perhaps it was just good defense by Favlenishvili, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demetrius Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Favlenishvili.

Alvarez manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Favlenishvili on his heels. He'll look to pass Favlenishvili's guard now, I'm sure.
Favlenishvili keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.

Alvarez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Favlenishvili keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez tries to free his leg and advance position but Favlenishvili is retaining full guard.
Alvarez works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Favlenishvili controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Favlenishvili is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Alvarez is looking for a kimura but Favlenishvili is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Alvarez to get the leverage.
Favlenishvili is refusing to be controlled, as Alvarez sits in half guard.
Favlenishvili really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Alvarez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Favlenishvili misses with some strikes from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Alvarez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Favlenishvili shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Alvarez pinned against the cage. Alvarez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Demetrius Alvarez.
I think Alvarez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Mangel scores the fight 30:28
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Demetrius Alvarez!