PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jenson Button (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Alexiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Button
vs
Alexiev

180 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
175 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jenson Button!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vlad Alexiev!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Button shoots in looking for a takedown. Alexiev tries to sprawl out of it but Button keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Alexiev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Alexiev tries to clinch there but Button circles away.
Alexiev throws a right and a left that both miss.

Alexiev gets caught flat footed, as Button shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Button loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Button missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alexiev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Button.
Button chips away with some ground and pound.
Button scoring with some ground and pound.
Alexiev controlling the position.
Button working some strikes from top position.
Button loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Button postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Alexiev uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Button shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Alexiev is trying to defend but Button finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Alexiev looks gassed!
Button is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Button sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Alexiev defending well though.
Button working the head and body with strikes.
Button winds up and cracks Alexiev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Button knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Alexiev on the ground.
Alexiev punching from the bottom.

Alexiev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Button thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Alexiev's head.
Alexiev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Button is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Alexiev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Button.
Alexiev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Alexiev takes the fight into the clinch.

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.

Alexiev has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Button regains guard immediately.
Alexiev trying to control but Button is working from the bottom.
Button wants to stand and escape but Alexiev is having none of it.
Button on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Button tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexiev postures up in Button's guard and throws a big left but Button blocks it.
Alexiev tries to stand but Button is controlling from the bottom.
Alexiev won't allow Button to get back to his feet.
Alexiev trying to control the position from guard on top but Button is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alexiev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Button steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Alexiev.
Button shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Alexiev as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jenson Button. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Alexiev takes the fight into the clinch.
Alexiev controlling the action here for a moment.
Button drops down looking for an ankle pick but Alexiev pulls his leg out and moves away.
Button is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alexiev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Button avoids a punch combination nicely.
Alexiev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alexiev wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vlad Alexiev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Button's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Alexiev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Button.

Button shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Alexiev controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Button seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Alexiev taking some punishment here, with Button in his half guard.

Alexiev kicks Button off and gets back to his feet.

Button closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Alexiev did well to prevent Button getting side control.
Alexiev wants to control but Button is keeping busy.
Alexiev is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Button is staying active.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Button thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Alexiev's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexiev is trying to stand back up but Button is controlling him
Button drops an elbow to the side of Alexiev's head.
Alexiev wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Button lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Button drops an elbow to the side of Alexiev's head.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Alexiev tries to clinch up but Button circles away and keeps his distance.
Button is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alexiev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Alexiev throws a right hand that Button ducks under and follows up with a left that Button also avoids with ease.

Alexiev takes the fight into the clinch.
Button is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Alexiev prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jenson Button. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alexiev taking a breather.
Button drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Alexiev gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Alexiev gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Alexiev keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Button pushes Alexiev off looking to stand but Alexiev dives back in and keeps control.
Alexiev moves nicely into side control.
Alexiev wants to control but Button is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Button is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Alexiev is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Alexiev is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Button is not content to let Alexiev control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vlad Alexiev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Alexiev throws a nice looking combination but Button bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Alexiev wants to clinch up but Button keeps it at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Button.
Alexiev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Button moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Alexiev misses the jab.
Button misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Button is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alexiev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jenson Button. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Button has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Alexiev finds it's way round the side to connect with Button's head.
Button changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Alexiev tries to avoid it but Button manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Alexiev to the ground. Alexiev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Alexiev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Button, pushing him back against the cage.
Button has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Alexiev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Alexiev lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Button is trying to stand back up but Alexiev is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Button keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Alexiev controlling the pace.
Button pushes Alexiev off looking to stand but Alexiev dives back in and keeps control.
Alexiev wants to pass to mount but Button is defending the position.
Button blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alexiev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Alexiev looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Alexiev trying to control from half guard but Button is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexiev seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Alexiev sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Alexiev uses his free foot to push down on Button's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Button.

That's four 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.
Alexiev trying to control but Button is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alexiev punching from mount but Button doing a good job of avoiding damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vlad Alexiev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Alexiev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

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