PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Morlikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cage comes to the cage accompanied by "Can't Be Touched" by Roy Jones Jr.. Sergei Morlikov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cage
vs
Morlikov

179 cm
21
270 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

195 cm
24
260 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Cage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sergei Morlikov!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morlikov throws a nice looking combination but Cage bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Morlikov stuffs the takedown.
Morlikov swinging wilding here.
Cage tries to clinch up but Morlikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Cage fails in his attempt to clinch.
A punch combination from Morlikov misses.
Morlikov misses with a wild combination.
Morlikov throws a right hand that Cage ducks under and follows up with a left that Cage also avoids with ease.
Cage avoids a punch combination nicely.
A punch combination from Morlikov misses.
Cage could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Morlikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cage.
Cage will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cage fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Cage. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Cage moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morlikov lands with a short shot to the head.
Morlikov slows down the pace here.
Morlikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Morlikov is trying to stall.
Morlikov looks gassed!
Morlikov lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morlikov lands with a left to the head.
Cage prevents a body shot from Morlikov.
Cage tries to pull guard but Morlikov holds him up against the cage and eventually Cage drops back down to his feet.
Morlikov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Morlikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cage managing to block the knees to the body from Morlikov.
Morlikov misses with the head strike.
Morlikov misses with the head strike.
Morlikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Morlikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Cage.
Cage tries a body shot but Morlikov blocks it.
Cage is working for takedown but Morlikov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Morlikov effectively controlling the action here.
Morlikov can't break the clinch.
Cage tries for a takedown. No joy.

Cage has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Morlikov uses from the top position.
Cage looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Morlikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cage pushes Morlikov off and scrambles back to his feet.
Morlikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cage shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Morlikov sprawls well. Morlikov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cage gets slowly back to his feet.

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

Cage decides to take the fight back to the feet.
No joy there for Morlikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sergei Morlikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morlikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Morlikov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Morlikov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cage moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morlikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cage circles away quickly and effectively.
Cage avoids a punch combination nicely.
Morlikov throws a right and a left that Cage avoids nicely.
Cage tries to clinch up but Morlikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Morlikov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Morlikov scores with a one two! Cage had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Morlikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Morlikov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cage.
Cage slips a jab and a cross from Morlikov.
Cage shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Morlikov pinned against the cage. Morlikov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A combination from Morlikov does no damage.
Morlikov throws a series of punches but Cage avoids them all with ease.
Morlikov tries to bum rush Cage with a series of wild strikes but Cage uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Morlikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cage.
Morlikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Morlikov looks to land a combination but Cage avoids it well.
Morlikov misses with a series of wild punches.
A combination from Morlikov does no damage.
Cage dodges the punch combination from Morlikov.
Morlikov misses with the combination.
Cage is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Morlikov.
Morlikov misses with a double jab.
Morlikov throws a nice looking combination but Cage bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Morlikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Morlikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Morlikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cage avoids a punch combination nicely.
Morlikov swinging wilding here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Cage dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Morlikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Morlikov misses with a few strikes there.
Morlikov misses with a two punch combination.
Cage tries for a takedown but Morlikov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cage tries to clinch up but Morlikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Cage tries to clinch up.
Horrible takedown by Cage or perhaps it was just good defense by Morlikov which made him look bad.
Cage is looking to clinch.
A punch combination from Morlikov misses.
Morlikov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Morlikov misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cage closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Morlikov to the mat! Morlikov manages to get full guard.
Morlikov keeping full guard, as Cage tries to pass.
Cage wants to control from the top but Morlikov keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Morlikov wants to get back to his feet but Cage is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage postures up.
Morlikov wants to stand up but Cage is controlling him.
Cage wants to control from the top but Morlikov keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morlikov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cage is controlling him.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cage.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage wants to lay and pray for a moment but Morlikov keeps working.
Morlikov tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Morlikov is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Morlikov tries to lock up and control but Cage gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Morlikov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cage kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Cage looking to control but Morlikov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Morlikov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Morlikov has given up his back here.

Morlikov is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Morlikov misses with a wild combination.
Morlikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morlikov throws a series of punches but Cage moves out of range.
A nice combination there by Morlikov.
Morlikov swinging wilding here.
Morlikov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cage moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Morlikov looks to land a combination but Cage avoids it well.
Morlikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cage circles away quickly and effectively.
A punch combination from Morlikov misses.
Morlikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morlikov misses with a two punch combination.
Morlikov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Morlikov looks to land a combination but Cage avoids it well.
Morlikov leaves Cage with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Cage. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four 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.
Morlikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Morlikov fails to land with a series of punches.
Morlikov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Morlikov wants it to stay on the feet.
Morlikov throws a one two combo.
Morlikov misses with a jab, cross combination.

Cage closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Morlikov did well to prevent Cage getting side control.
Cage prevents Morlikov from standing back up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Morlikov is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Cage trying to mount his opponent but Morlikov defends it.
Cage is trying to control. Morlikov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Morlikov keeping hold of Cage's head, controlling as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Cage dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Morlikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cage circles away quickly and effectively.
Morlikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cage looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cage is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cage shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Morlikov but Morlikov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Morlikov stuffs the takedown.
Some wild striking there from Morlikov.
Morlikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morlikov misses with a two punch combination.
Morlikov throws a right and a left that Cage avoids nicely.
Morlikov misses with the combination.
Morlikov throws a nice looking combination but Cage bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cage slips a jab and a cross from Morlikov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Morlikov.
Cage shoots in looking for a takedown. Morlikov tries to sprawl out of it but Cage keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Morlikov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Cage. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some wild striking there from Morlikov.
Cage tries to clinch there but Morlikov circles away.
Cage doesn't manage to clinch there - Morlikov circles away.
Morlikov throws a series of punches but Cage avoids them all with ease.
Morlikov fails to land with a series of punches.
Cage wants to clinch.
Sergei Morlikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cage shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Morlikov but Morlikov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Morlikov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cage fails to land the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cage looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

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

Cage scores a takedown into full mount!
Morlikov tries to buck Cage off but he can't manage it.
Morlikov tries to hold on but Cage postures up.
Morlikov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Cage controlling from the full mount.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Morlikov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Morlikov prevents any damage by holding on tight.
Cage controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morlikov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Cage looking to control but Morlikov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Morlikov is looking to get to half guard.
Morlikov reaches up to try and control the position but Cage seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Morlikov rolls and tries to escape and now Cage has his back!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Morlikov is trying to get back to his feet but Cage has full control of the position and if anything, Morlikov has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cage is looking to control Morlikov but Morlikov is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Cage avoiding Morlikov 's attempts to control his hands.
Sergei Morlikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Morlikov is trying to get back to his feet but Cage has full control of the position and if anything, Morlikov has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Cage is not going to allow Morlikov to sit and survive in this position.
Cage is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Morlikov trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Alexander Cage is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Cage showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cage, 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Cage!