PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vlad Alexiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seth Bunga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vlad Alexiev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Alexiev
vs
Bunga

180 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
180 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vlad Alexiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Seth Bunga!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexiev just misses with a punch to the body.
A head kick from Bunga lands but Alexiev takes it in his stride.

It looks like Vlad Alexiev has been cut.
Bunga throws a series of punches but Alexiev avoids them all with ease.
Alexiev scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bunga lands a high kick!
Alexiev throws a right and a left that both miss.

Alexiev clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bunga tries to pull guard but Alexiev holds him up against the cage and eventually Bunga drops back down to his feet.

Alexiev drags the fight down to the ground.
Alexiev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bunga wants to control from the top but Alexiev keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alexiev pulls Bunga in to control the position.
Bunga throws a strike but Alexiev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Bunga is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Alexiev is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bunga controls Alexiev momentarily but Alexiev frees himself.
Bunga wants to stand but Alexiev is controlling the position.

Alexiev gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A punch combination from Alexiev misses.
Bunga moves in looking to clinch but Alexiev pushes him off.
Bunga tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Alexiev swivels and escapes.
Bunga tries to clinch but Alexiev is having none of it.
Alexiev throws an overhand right that lands on Bunga's shoulder, as Bunga tries to avoid the shot.
Bunga misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bunga swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Alexiev counters by clinching up.
Bunga throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bunga looks gassed!
Bunga looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bunga is trying to break the clinch but Alexiev is controlling him.

Alexiev wants the takedown. Bunga is fighting it off but Alexiev persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Bunga's guard against the cage.
Alexiev not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Bunga controls Alexiev momentarily but Alexiev frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexiev working some strikes from top position.
Alexiev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Alexiev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Alexiev stands up and waves to Bunga to follow him.
Alexiev wants to clinch up but Bunga keeps it at a distance.
Bunga uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alexiev.
Bunga dives in and grabs Alexiev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Alexiev pushes down on Bunga's head and hops out.
Vlad Alexiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seth Bunga.

Alexiev moves into the clinch.
The is referee keeping an eye on Alexiev - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Bunga has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bunga tries to break free but Alexiev pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bunga is fighting off a takedown attempt but Alexiev is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Bunga to the mat. Bunga regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Bunga is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Alexiev postures up and lands a big shot to Bunga's brow.
Alexiev sitting in guard here, content to control.
Bunga trying to strike off his back.
Bunga wants to stand and escape but Alexiev is having none of it.
Alexiev is pushing down on Bunga's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bunga is fighting to maintain full guard but Alexiev has managed to sneak the leg through.
Alexiev working the head and body with strikes.
Bunga trying to control here.
Bunga is trying to stand back up but Alexiev is controlling him
Alexiev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Alexiev decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Alexiev avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexiev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Alexiev moves into the clinch successfully.
Bunga has had enough of the clinch but Alexiev keeps him there for the moment.

Alexiev lands a takedown into guard.
Bunga tries to strike from the bottom.
Alexiev tries to free his leg and advance position but Bunga is retaining full guard.
Bunga can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Alexiev controls the pace.
Alexiev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Alexiev stands up from guard. Let's bang!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alexiev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bunga paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alexiev tries to clinch but Bunga is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bunga avoids the body shot from Alexiev.
Alexiev scores with a one two! Bunga had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Alexiev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Alexiev misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Alexiev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vlad Alexiev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Alexiev checks a low kick from Bunga.
The fight stays on the outside here - Alexiev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Alexiev takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Bunga throws a combination that misses
and Alexiev counters with a two punch combo.
Alexiev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bunga counters with a right hand to the body.
Alexiev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bunga moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Alexiev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bunga throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Alexiev's waist but Alexiev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bunga off to one side.
Bunga throws a sloppy head kick and Alexiev moves out of range easily.
Alexiev swinging wilding here.
Alexiev closes the distance but Bunga moves to the side
and Bunga counters with a solid body kick.
Alexiev takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bunga tries to close the distance and clinch but Alexiev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A good leg kick by Bunga.
Bunga swats away the attempt to clinch by Alexiev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexiev wants to clinch.
Alexiev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bunga counters with an inside leg kick.
Bunga throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bunga looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bunga with a poor takedown
and Alexiev counters with a two punch combo.
Alexiev scores with a jab to the body.

Alexiev has taken the fight to the clinch.

Alexiev is trying to trip Bunga. He has hold of a leg but Bunga is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Alexiev persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Bunga wants to stand up but Alexiev is controlling him.
Bunga thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Bunga keeping full guard, as Alexiev tries to pass.
Bunga trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Alexiev won't allow Bunga to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bunga thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Alexiev stands up from Bunga's guard - Alexiev perhaps looking for a knockout.
Bunga tries to clinch up but Alexiev circles away and keeps his distance.
Bunga tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alexiev swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Alexiev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Alexiev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bunga smiles and moves away.
Alexiev loads up on a big right hand but Bunga slips the punch.

Alexiev instigates a clinch.
Alexiev has Bunga pressed against the cage, preventing Bunga from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bunga looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bunga tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bunga has Alexiev pressed against the cage, preventing Alexiev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Alexiev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Alexiev to work.
Bunga has Alexiev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Alexiev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Vlad Alexiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seth Bunga.
Bunga with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bunga prevents a takedown attempt there.
Bunga wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Alexiev has Bunga pressed against the cage.

Alexiev is trying to trip Bunga. He has hold of a leg but Bunga is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Alexiev persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Alexiev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bunga is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bunga throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Bunga is looking to stand up but Alexiev isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alexiev stands up over Bunga, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Alexiev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vlad Alexiev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bunga looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bunga throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Bunga being controlled here, momentarily.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Alexiev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bunga will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Alexiev misses with a combination
and Bunga counters with a flying knee. Nice.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Alexiev.
Alexiev swinging wilding here.
Alexiev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Alexiev stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bunga.

Alexiev moves into the clinch.
Alexiev is trying to maintain a safe position but Bunga gets an underhook and turns Alexiev into the cage.
Bunga is trying to break the clinch but Alexiev has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Alexiev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vlad Alexiev's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bunga throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bunga rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alexiev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Alexiev cracks a nice hook into Bunga's ribs.
Alexiev is looking to wear down Bunga with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Alexiev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bunga circles away quickly and effectively.
Bunga fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Alexiev throws a series of punches but Bunga avoids them all with ease.
Alexiev throws a predictable looking body shot
and Bunga counters with a two punch combo.
Bunga with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Alexiev thuds a left hand into Bunga's body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bunga, right into the meat.
Bunga shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Alexiev as he jumps to the side.
Alexiev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Alexiev wants to clinch.
Alexiev lands a nice shot to the body.
Bunga throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexiev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bunga counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Alexiev is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bunga shoots in and drives through. Alexiev sprawls well.
Bunga gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Alexiev forces Bunga back against the cage and clinches.
Bunga tries for a takedown but Alexiev manages to get underhooks.
Vlad Alexiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seth Bunga.
Alexiev jumps guard but Bunga stands there with Alexiev around his waist. Alexiev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alexiev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Alexiev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bunga has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Alexiev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alexiev manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Alexiev jumps guard.
Bunga wanted to stand there but Alexiev had control of the position.
Bunga trying to control but Alexiev is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexiev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bunga is one step ahead there.
Bunga works over Alexiev with some ground and pound from guard.
Alexiev is pulling down on Bunga's head to control his posture.
Alexiev wants to stand and escape but Bunga is having none of it.
Alexiev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bunga misses with a few strikes there.
Vlad Alexiev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alexiev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bunga counters with an outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bunga works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Bunga slips under a jab from Alexiev.
Bunga scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bunga thumps Alexiev with a low kick.
Alexiev keeps the fight on the outside.
Alexiev wants to clinch up but Bunga keeps it at a distance.
Bunga throws a nice head kick!
Vlad Alexiev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Alexiev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bunga counters with a body kick.
Alexiev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bunga manages to avoid it.
Alexiev misses with a looping right.
Bunga lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Alexiev circles away quickly and effectively.
Alexiev lands a right hook to the body.
Bunga misses with a low kick.
Alexiev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Alexiev lands with a nice combination. Bunga backs away looking to recover.
Bunga slips under a jab.
Alexiev slaps away a takedown attempt from Bunga, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Alexiev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bunga counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Alexiev swings for the body but Bunga moves out of range.
Bunga shoots for a takedown but Alexiev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Alexiev looks to land a combination but Bunga avoids it well.
Bunga throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Alexiev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Alexiev scores with a one two! Bunga had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Alexiev with a jab.
Bunga tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Alexiev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bunga thinking.
Bunga throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Alexiev's waist but Alexiev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bunga off to one side.
Bunga shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Alexiev as he jumps to the side.

Alexiev clinches up against the cage.

Alexiev jumps into guard, dragging Bunga to the mat.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Alexiev holds on and takes a little breather.
Alexiev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Seth Bunga has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vlad Alexiev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Alexiev pulls Bunga in close to prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vlad Alexiev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Alexiev, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vlad Alexiev!