PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alex Lebedev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Raith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lebedev comes to the cage accompanied by The best Alex, is Lebedev. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Thomas Raith was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Lebedev
vs
Raith

189 cm
23
180 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

188 cm
22
175 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

PhoQus Sports Clothing Line

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Lebedev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Thomas Raith!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Raith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Lebedev is looking to reverse the position.
Lebedev keeping his opponent close.
Raith wants to stand but Lebedev has his arm trapped.
Raith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lebedev keeps working.
Lebedev tries to bench press Raith off him but Raith keeps the position.
Raith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lebedev keeps working.

Raith stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Raith with a lazy takedown attempt

and Lebedev counters with a shoot takedown. Raith fights it but they end up in guard.
Lebedev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Raith's head.
Lebedev stands up over Raith, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Raith looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lebedev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lebedev scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lebedev throwing strikes but missing.
Lebedev landing with the ground and pound.
Lebedev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lebedev cracks Raith with a solid left hand.
Lebedev stands up over Raith, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Lebedev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lebedev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Lebedev is looking to work some ground and pound but Raith has wrist control.
Lebedev throwing strikes from guard but Raith blocks nicely.
Lebedev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Raith's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lebedev with a nice head shot there.
Lebedev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lebedev landing some decent shots from guard.
Lebedev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Raith on the ground.
Raith looks gassed!
Lebedev works over Raith with some ground and pound from guard.
Lebedev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lebedev postures up and lands a big shot to Raith's brow.
Lebedev scoring with some ground and pound.
Lebedev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Lebedev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lebedev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Raith's head.
Lebedev chips away with some ground and pound.
Lebedev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lebedev distracts Raith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lebedev stands up over Raith, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Lebedev distracts Raith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lebedev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lebedev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Raith's head.
Lebedev connects with a couple of short punches.
Lebedev connects with a couple of short punches.
Lebedev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lebedev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lebedev connects with a couple of short punches.
Lebedev connects with a couple of short punches.
Lebedev is in close to Raith's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lebedev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Raith's head.
Lebedev distracts Raith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lebedev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lebedev lands a couple of digs.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lebedev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Lebedev with a nice head shot there.
Lebedev with a nice head shot there.
Lebedev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Raith's head.
Lebedev scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lebedev stands up over Raith, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Lebedev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Raith has momentary wrist control but Lebedev slips an elbow through the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lebedev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Raith's head.
Raith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lebedev distracts Raith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Raith gets caught flat footed, as Lebedev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Lebedev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Lebedev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Raith's head.
Lebedev throws a strike but Raith rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Lebedev looking for a sweep. Not yet Lebedev, not yet.
Raith wants to control from the top but Lebedev keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lebedev is on top in guard.
Raith is breathing heavily.
Lebedev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lebedev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lebedev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lebedev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lebedev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lebedev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lebedev works over Raith with some ground and pound from guard.
Lebedev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Raith is trying to control the position but Lebedev postures up.
Lebedev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Alex Lebedev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lebedev scoring with some ground and pound.
Lebedev with a nice head shot there.
Lebedev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Lebedev stands up over Raith, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Raith trying to keep a closed guard but Lebedev is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lebedev is working Raith over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lebedev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lebedev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lebedev distracts Raith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lebedev lands a couple of digs.
Lebedev scoring with some ground and pound.
Raith keeping moving, preventing Lebedev from controlling successfully.
Lebedev chips away with some ground and pound.
Lebedev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Raith's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lebedev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lebedev slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Lebedev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Lebedev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Raith can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Lebedev's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Raith on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Raith takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Lebedev cracks Raith with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Lebedev lands some shots froms side control.
Lebedev lands an elbow.

Raith is rocked!
Lebedev lands a decent elbow from side control.
Raith is still in real trouble! Can Lebedev finish him?
Raith on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Check out the look on Lebedev's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Lebedev landing a few strikes.
Lebedev tries to advance to mount but can't.
Raith seems to have recovered his senses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lebedev scoring with punches and elbows.
Lebedev grinds an elbow into Raith's temple.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Lebedev stands up.

Lebedev has closed the distance and engaged Raith in a clinch.
Lebedev effectively controlling the action here.

Lebedev has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Raith regains guard immediately.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lebedev chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Lebedev dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Raith tries for a takedown but Lebedev circles away easily

so Lebedev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Lebedev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Raith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lebedev chips away with some ground and pound.
Lebedev distracts Raith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lebedev works over Raith with some ground and pound from guard.
Lebedev lands a couple of digs.
Lebedev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lebedev cracks Raith with a solid left hand.
Raith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lebedev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Raith is keeping the position for now.
Lebedev is working Raith over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lebedev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Lebedev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Lebedev wants to control from the top but Raith keeps moving.
Lebedev scoring with some ground and pound.
Lebedev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Lebedev slips nicely into half guard.
Lebedev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Raith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Lebedev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lebedev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lebedev connects with a nice short shot to Raith's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lebedev slips a nice elbow through Raith's hands, connecting with Raith's forehead.
Lebedev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Lebedev drops an elbow to the side of Raith's head.
Lebedev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lebedev working Raith over with strikes.
Lebedev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lebedev working Raith over with strikes.
Raith is trying to stand up here but Lebedev is controlling him well.
Lebedev lands strikes from half guard.
Lebedev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Raith tries to roll over but Lebedev keeps him under control.
Lebedev is nestled in close to Raith, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lebedev working Raith over with strikes.
Lebedev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lebedev connects with a nice short shot to Raith's temple.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lebedev connects with a nice short shot to Raith's temple.
Lebedev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lebedev connects with a nice short shot to Raith's temple.
Raith wants to get back to full guard.
Raith has hold of Lebedev's hands but Lebedev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Raith taking some punishment here, with Lebedev in his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Lebedev lands a nice short elbow.
Lebedev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Lebedev working Raith over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lebedev connects with a nice short shot to Raith's temple.
Lebedev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Alex Lebedev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lebedev controlling the action here.
Raith has hold of Lebedev's hands but Lebedev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Thomas Raith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lebedev controlling the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Lebedev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lebedev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:25
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:25
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Lebedev!