PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Lombardi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thiago Alves could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Frankie Lombardi's chin.

Alves
vs
Lombardi

173 cm
24
265 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

191 cm
26
265 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Heavy handed

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thiago Alves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Frankie Lombardi!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Winston Howard and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lombardi motions for Alves to come forward. Lombardi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Alves tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lombardi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Alves tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alves tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lombardi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alves tries to clinch up but Lombardi circles away and keeps his distance.
Alves takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Frankie Lombardi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lombardi scores with a three punch combo!
Lombardi stuns Alves with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Alves shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Lombardi throws a series of punches but Alves avoids them all with ease.
Alves pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alves misses with a straight left.
Lombardi darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Alves closes the distance and pushes Lombardi back into the cage.
Lombardi swings wildly with an uppercut but Alves uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lombardi misses with some punches.
Alves lands an elbow inside.
Lombardi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Alves prevents Lombardi from breaking the clinch.
Lombardi lands a right hand.
Lombardi blocks the elbow strike.
Alves throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lombardi blocks it with crossed arms.
Alves working Lombardi over with knees to the body.
Lombardi looks gassed!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alves connects with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Alves.
Alves tries a knee to the head but Lombardi blocks it.
Alves lands an elbow inside that Lombardi shrugs off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Lombardi.
Alves comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Alves comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Alves lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lombardi can't find room to land a body shot as Alves controls the action.
Alves with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alves comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A knee to the head by Alves.
Alves with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lombardi has Alves pressed against the cage.
Alves unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lombardi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lombardi avoids the elbow strike from Alves, against the cage.
Alves unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lombardi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Alves tries to stall but Lombardi uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Alves utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Alves throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alves lands a damaging elbow.
Lombardi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alves landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Alves tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lombardi takes a knee to the side of the body.
Lombardi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Alves tries to land a knee to the head but Lombardi blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alves scores a nice knee to the body.
Alves tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Alves landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A short right from Alves.
Lombardi avoids the elbow strike from Alves, against the cage.
Lombardi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Alves lands an elbow that stopped Lombardi in his tracks for a moment.
Lombardi is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Alves is keeping busy.
Alves landing knees to the head.
Lombardi has Alves pressed against the cage.
Alves content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Alves looking to throw knees to the head but Lombardi is blocking nicely.
Lombardi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alves is defending well for now.
The referee is keeping an eye on Alves - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Alves creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Lombardi's defenses.
Alves is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Lombardi lands a hook that snaps the head of Alves backwards.
Alves cracks Lombardi with a nice body shot.
Alves scores with a shot to the side of Lombardi's head.
Alves looking to throw knees to the head but Lombardi is blocking nicely.
Alves scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lombardi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Alves lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Alves unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Alves misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lombardi.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alves.
Alves throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lombardi blocks it with crossed arms.
Alves blocks an elbow strike from Lombardi.
Alves looking to throw knees to the head but Lombardi is blocking nicely.
Alves pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Lombardi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Alves scores with a knee to the head.
Alves unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lombardi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Alves trying to land knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Lombardi - that landed with a thud.
Alves working Lombardi over with knees to the body.
Lombardi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Alves with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lombardi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alvess head.
Lombardi tries a knee to the head but Alves blocks it.
Alves lands a nice elbow.
Alves has Lombardi pushed against the cage.
Alves scores with a knee to the head.
Alves tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lombardi managing to block the knees to the body from Alves.
A short right from Lombardi on the inside.
Lombardi taking a breather.
Alves landing knees to the body.
Alves lands a good knee to the midsection. Lombardi won't want to take too many of those.
Lombardi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Alves with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Alves connects with a knee to the head.
Lombardi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Alves scores with a knee to the head.
Alves landing knees to the head.
Alves unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lombardi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lombardi lands with a light punch inside.
Alves lands a nice knee to the body.
Alves landing knees to the head.
Alves missing with knees to the body.
Alves looks to throw an elbow but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alves trying to land knees to the body.
Lombardi lands with a light punch inside.
Alves with a knee to the head.
Alves throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lombardi blocks it with crossed arms.
Lombardi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alves stalling against the cage.
Lombardi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Alves dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Alves wants to clinch up but Lombardi keeps it at a distance.
Alves is looking to clinch but Lombardi is avoiding it.
Alves tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lombardi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lombardi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Alves tries to clinch up.
Lombardi throws a sloppy head kick and Alves moves out of range easily.
Frankie Lombardi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lombardi keeps the fight on the outside.
Alves is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Alves tries to clinch but Lombardi is having none of it.
Nice defenses there by Lombardi.
Lombardi misses with a wild combination.
No joy there for Lombardi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lombardi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sloppy strikes from Lombardi. Those never looked like landing.
Lombardi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Alves tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Lombardi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lombardi moves out of range of the body kick from Alves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lombardi blocks a head kick by Alves.
Alves cracks the inside of Lombardi's front leg.
Alves tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lombardi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Alves is looking to clinch.
Alves tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alves tries to clinch up.
Alves misses with an uppercut. Lombardi saw that one coming.
Alves scores with a nice body kick.
Lombardi misses with a double jab.
Lombardi throws a jab when Alves was well out of range.

Alves pushes Lombardi up against the cage in a clinch.
Alves lands a nice elbow.
Alves scores with a knee to the head.
Alves creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Lombardi's defenses.
Lombardi takes a knee to the side of the body.
Alves lands a good knee to the midsection. Lombardi won't want to take too many of those.
Lombardi looking to stall.
Nice elbow from Alves.
Alves scores a nice knee to the body.
Lombardi takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Alves.
Alves misses with a knee to the head.
Alves controlling the action here for a moment.
Lombardi tries to break free but Alves pushes him back against the cage.
Alves landing knees to the head.
Alves throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lombardi blocks it with crossed arms.
Lombardi just leaning against Alves, taking a breather.
Alves lands a hook that snaps the head of Lombardi backwards.
Alves unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lombardi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Alves lands a nice knee to the body.
Lombardi blocks the elbow strike.
Thiago Alves has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Alves connects with a knee to the head.
Alves crunches a lovely knee into Lombardi's ribcage.
Lombardi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Alves lands a nice elbow.
Alves lands an elbow inside that Lombardi shrugs off.
Lombardi takes an elbow to the forehead.
Alves throws an elbow that misses.
Alves with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Alves missing with knees to the body.
Lombardi wants to get back to striking at distance but Alves won't allow it.
Alves connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lombardi's face.
Lombardi scores with a hook to the body.
Alves landing knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lombardi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Lombardi lands with a short shot to the head.
Alves crunches a lovely knee into Lombardi's ribcage.
Alves looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Alves with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Alves tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lombardi avoids it.
Alves misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lombardi.
Alves tries to land a knee to the head but Lombardi blocks with his arms.
Alves missing with knees to the body.
Lombardi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Alves throws an elbow but it misses.
Lombardi managing to block the knees to the body from Alves.
Lombardi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alvess head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alves.
Lombardi is looking to control Alves's arms but Alves gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lombardi has his back to the cage.
Alves lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lombardi backwards.
Lombardi being controlled against the cage.
Lombardi wants to stall.
A knee to the head by Alves.
Lombardi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Alves lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lombardi backwards.
Alves connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lombardi's face.

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.
Alves lands a damaging elbow.
Lombardi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Alves with a knee to the head.
The referee calls for Alves to work.
Alves misses with a knee to the head.
Lombardi avoids the elbow strike from Alves, against the cage.
Lombardi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lombardi misses with a knee strike.
Alves blocking some punches.
Alves lands a knee to the body.
Lombardi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alves working Lombardi over with knees to the body.
Alves lands a knee to the body.
Lombardi has a couple of punches blocked by Alves.
Alves connects with a knee to the head.
Alves landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lombardi is looking to control Alves's arms but Alves gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lombardi has his back to the cage.
Alves is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lombardi is keeping busy.
Alves trying to land knees to the body.
Alves landing knees to the head.
Lombardi lands a hook that snaps the head of Alves backwards.
Alves lands a body shot.
A body shot lands from Alves.
Alves with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Alves dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lombardi scores with a one two! Alves had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
An inside leg kick from Alves misses.
Alves takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Lombardi takes one on the button.
Alves tests Lombardi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lombardi throws a nice outside leg kick.

Alves has closed the distance and engaged Lombardi in a clinch.
Alves lands a shoulder strike.
Alves lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Alves throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Alves lands an elbow just above Lombardi 's eye.
Lombardi dodges an elbow strike from Alves.
Lombardi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alves scores a nice knee to the body.
Lombardi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Alves using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Alves digs a right hand into Lombardi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lombardi's gas tank.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alves utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Alves lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lombardi or not.
Lombardi tries to land a knee to the head but Alves blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lombardi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lombardi working aggressively here.
Alves lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lombardi trying to control the position but instead, Alves has worked for underhooks and has pushed Lombardi into the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Alves obliges.
Lombardi takes a knee to the side of the body.
Alves keeps control of Lombardi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lombardi has a couple of punches blocked by Alves.
Lombardi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lombardi has a couple of punches blocked by Alves.
Alves lands a good knee to the midsection. Lombardi won't want to take too many of those.
Lombardi looking to slow down the pace here.
Alves lands a good knee to the midsection. Lombardi won't want to take too many of those.
A short right from Lombardi on the inside.
Knees to the body from Alves.
Lombardi tries a knee to the head but Alves blocks it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Alves obliges.
Alves lands a knee to the head.
Lombardi tries to stall but Alves uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Alves landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lombardi takes a knee to the side of the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lombardi.
Lombardi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lombardi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lombardi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lombardi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Alves lands an elbow just above Lombardi 's eye.
Alves tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Alves being controlled against the cage.
Lombardi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Alves lands a nice knee to the body.
Lombardi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Alves looking to throw knees to the head but Lombardi is blocking nicely.
Alves landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Alves with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lombardi is trying to maintain a safe position but Alves gets an underhook and turns Lombardi into the cage.
Lombardi seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Alves throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alves lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Alves lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lombardi backwards.
A short right from Lombardi on the inside.
Knees in the clinch landing for Alves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lombardi takes a knee to the side of the body.
Lombardi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Alves lands a right hand.
Lombardi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Alves lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Lombardi is trying to maintain a safe position but Alves gets an underhook and turns Lombardi into the cage.
Lombardi swings wildly with an uppercut but Alves uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alves comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Alves has Lombardi pressed against the cage.
Lombardi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Alves landing knees to the body.
Alves lands an elbow just above Lombardi 's eye.
Lombardi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Alves.
Lombardi working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alves.
Alves is struggling to control the position.
Alves with a knee to the head.
Lombardi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Alves is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Alves keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lombardi's efforts to push away.
Alves scores with a knee to the head.
Lombardi is trying to break free.

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.
Alves landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Alves connects with a knee to the head.
Alves lands a nice knee to the body.
Lombardi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alves is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lombardi is defending well for now.
Alves landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lombardi looking to throw knees to the head but Alves is blocking nicely.
Alves throws an elbow that misses.
Lombardi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nice elbow from Alves.
Lombardi misses with a knee to the head.
Alves connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lombardi's face.
Lombardi swings wildly with an uppercut but Alves uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alves using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lombardi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lombardi working hard to break the clinch.
Alves working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Lombardi misses with a short punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Alves.
Lombardi takes an elbow to the forehead.
Lombardi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Alves is trying to stall.
Frankie Lombardi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thiago Alves is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Alves tries to land a knee to the head but Lombardi blocks with his arms.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Alves showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Alves, 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Alves!