PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksej Aleksejev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aleksej Aleksejev is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Ivanov
vs
Aleksejev

186 cm
18
184 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

194 cm
20
185 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Resistance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight 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, Maxim Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksej Aleksejev!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ivanov gets tackled into the cage by Aleksejev. Aleksejev maintains the clinch.
Aleksejev can't get the takedown.
Ivanov is trying to maintain a safe position but Aleksejev gets an underhook and turns Ivanov into the cage.
Aleksejev is trying to drag Ivanov to the mat but Ivanov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Aleksejev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ivanov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Maxim Ivanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksej Aleksejev.

Ivanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Aleksejev looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Aleksejev controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov is not content to let Aleksejev control the position.
Aleksejev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Aleksejev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Aleksejev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ivanov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aleksejev controlling the pace.
Ivanov is breathing heavily.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Aleksej Aleksejev wasn't active enough on the ground.

Aleksejev has closed the distance and engaged Ivanov in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Aleksejev is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Ivanov to the mat. Ivanov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Aleksejev tries to free his leg and advance position but Ivanov is retaining full guard.
Ivanov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ivanov tries to get out of the position.
Aleksejev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aleksejev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ivanov's head.
Ivanov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Aleksejev controls the pace.
Aleksejev looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aleksej Aleksejev has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ivanov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Aleksejev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Aleksejev misses with a wild combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aleksejev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Aleksejev rushes Ivanov and presses him up against the cage.

Aleksejev is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Ivanov can't fight it off and eventually Aleksejev manages to take the fight to the floor. Ivanov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Aleksejev wants to control from the top but Ivanov keeps moving.
Aleksejev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ivanov is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aleksejev trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aleksejev is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Aleksej Aleksejev.

Aleksejev drops Ivanov with a right and a left! Aleksejev comes rushing in but Ivanov regains his composure and manages to keep Aleksejev in guard.

Ivanov is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aleksejev trying to control the position from guard on top but Ivanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aleksejev trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ivanov's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aleksejev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ivanov is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ivanov is starting to get sloppy and is letting his hands down. Aleksejev just took advantage and landed a stinging jab. Oh! Now a right hook, right on the button! Ivanov has gone limp and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Aleksej Aleksejev!