PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kari Tapio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksei Alenichev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tapio comes into the arena with Cannibal Corpse blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Alenichev's choice of entrance music: "Acid Rain" by Liquid Tension Experiment. Aleksei Alenichev acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Tapio
vs
Alenichev

182 cm
23
225 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

170 cm
22
275 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kari Tapio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleksei Alenichev!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tapio lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Alenichev circles away quickly and effectively.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tapio looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Alenichev scores with a hook to the body. Tapio takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Alenichev closes the distance and clinches.
Tapio has had enough of the clinch but Alenichev keeps him there for the moment.
Tapio wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Tapio manages to break the clinch.
Alenichev throws a body punch but Tapio moves out of range.
Tapio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tapio throws a shot from downtown. Alenichev moves away and avoids it.
Tapio has a takedown stuffed.

Alenichev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Alenichev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tapio swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Tapio escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Alenichev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Alenichev stands and throws Tapio's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Tapio is looking to regain half guard here but Alenichev keeps moving and retains side control.
Alenichev scoring with punches from side control.
Alenichev is looking to take a break and control but Tapio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Alenichev content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapio manages to work his way to half guard, despite Alenichev's best efforts.

Tapio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Alenichev tries to pass to full mount but Tapio defends it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tapio is trying to get back to full guard.
Tapio taking some punishment here, with Alenichev in his half guard.
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. Alenichev connects with a nice short shot to Tapio's temple.
Alenichev sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Alenichev trying to mount his opponent but Tapio defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapio wants to improve his position but Alenichev is controlling well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Alenichev wants to control but Tapio is keeping him busy.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Alenichev works his foot free and advances to mount.
Tapio is trying to escape the mount.
Alenichev with good strikes from the mount here!
Tapio in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alenichev pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Tapio is trying to escape the mount.
Alenichev controlling from mount.
Tapio tries to reverse the position but Alenichev maintains control.
Alenichev landing strikes, looking to finish!

Tapio is rocked!
Oooh a big shot lands for Alenichev! Tapio is out! The ref dives in to save him from more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Aleksei Alenichev!