PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kendall Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fou Rthihovsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rthihovsky has chosen That Smell - Lynyrd Skynyrd as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Alves
vs
Rthihovsky

182 cm
36
148 lbs
30 - 24 - 0

165 cm
29
135 lbs
15 - 5 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brute

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kendall Alves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Fou Rthihovsky!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alves scores with a shot to the body.
Nice shot by Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Alves counters with a straight right hand.
Alves just misses with a punch to the body.
Alves lands a glancing blow to the side of Rthihovsky's head.
Alves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alves slips under a jab from Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky ducks right into an uppercut from Alves.
Rthihovsky loads up on a big right hand but Alves slips the punch.
Alves uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rthihovsky has time to react.
Alves jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rthihovsky missing with a left hand there. Alves was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Alves tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rthihovsky was well out of range. Poor timing from Alves.
Alves lands a nice hook to Rthihovsky's body. Rthihovsky takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves swings for the body but Rthihovsky moves out of range.
Alves scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rthihovsky doesn't seem bothered though.
Rthihovsky looks to land a left hand but Alves moved out of range nicely.
Rthihovsky throws out a leg kick but Alves moves out of range and Rthihovsky only half commits.
Alves lands with an overhand left.
Kendall Alves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alves avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Alves really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rthihovsky takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Alves swings for the body but Rthihovsky moves out of range.
Alves checks a low kick from Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Alves misses with a body punch
and Rthihovsky makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky misses with a few strikes there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rthihovsky.
Alves lands with a cross.
Alves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rthihovsky manages to avoid it.
Rthihovsky throws a jab when Alves was well out of range.
Alves is looking to wear down Rthihovsky with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Alves takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rthihovsky uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Alves.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alves looks to throw the jab but Rthihovsky is out of range.
Alves misses the jab.
Rthihovsky lands a head shot.
Rthihovsky swings for the body but Alves moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Alves shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rthihovsky is trying to defend but Alves finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Alves thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rthihovsky's head.
Alves is looking to stall here but Rthihovsky recovers full guard.
Rthihovsky avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rthihovsky preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rthihovsky wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Alves chips away with some ground and pound.
Alves will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Alves working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Alves is pushing down on Rthihovsky's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rthihovsky is fighting to maintain full guard but Alves has managed to sneak the leg through.
Alves perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alves thows a huge punch but Rthihovsky dodges it nicely.
Rthihovsky is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Alves controlling the pace.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky tries to get to full guard but Alves has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alves performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Alves passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rthihovsky!
Alves controlling the position easily from mount.
Rthihovsky tries to hold on but Alves postures up.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky is in all sorts of trouble here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alves can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rthihovsky is looking to escape.
Rthihovsky is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Alves unloading with bombs!
Rthihovsky sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Alves throws a strike but Rthihovsky avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Rthihovsky looking for a sweep. Not yet Rthihovsky, not yet.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky controls Alves momentarily but Alves frees himself.

Rthihovsky working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Alves doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Alves manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rthihovsky keeping full guard, as Alves tries to pass.
Rthihovsky keeping moving, preventing Alves from controlling successfully.
Alves stopping the sweep attempt from Rthihovsky.
Alves missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Alves forces his way into half guard.
Alves has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Alves wants to control but Rthihovsky is keeping him busy.
Rthihovsky tries to get to full guard but Alves has control of the leg.
Alves is keen to just control but Rthihovsky is a slippery customer.
Rthihovsky trying to control here.
Rthihovsky is looking to improve his position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky is staying active underneath Alves, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Alves drops an elbow to the side of Rthihovsky's head.
Rthihovsky trying to control here.
Still in half guard, Alves seems content to control.
Alves wants to pass the guard but Rthihovsky is defending well.
Alves stalling.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alves is looking to take a break and control but Rthihovsky is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendall Alves dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Alves scores with a takedown into Rthihovsky's guard.
Alves trying to control the position from guard on top but Rthihovsky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alves throwing strikes but missing.
Alves postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alves is looking to work some ground and pound but Rthihovsky has wrist control.
Alves with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rthihovsky trying to control the position.
Alves missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alves trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alves trying to control but Rthihovsky is working from the bottom.
Rthihovsky utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alves stays in close to Rthihovsky's body and controls the position.
Alves's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rthihovsky looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kendall Alves wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Rthihovsky slips a jab from Alves.
Rthihovsky shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Alves as he jumps to the side.
Alves dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Alves jabs Rthihovsky to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rthihovsky is looking to chop away at Alves's legs.
Rthihovsky slips under a jab from Alves.
Alves digs a good body shot into Rthihovsky's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky lands a jab to the head.
Alves looks to land a right hand but Rthihovsky moved out of range.
Alves throws a body punch but Rthihovsky moves out of range.
Rthihovsky takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rthihovsky throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Alves is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Alves dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rthihovsky uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Alves.
Alves misses the body punch
and Rthihovsky counters with an inside leg kick.
Rthihovsky looks to score with a jab to the body but Alves is just out of range.
Rthihovsky takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Alves lands a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves lands with a right hand.

Alves darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Alves working Rthihovsky over with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rthihovsky controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Rthihovsky blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alves.
Rthihovsky is trying to get back to full guard.
Alves throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Alves is stalling here. Rthihovsky is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Alves seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Rthihovsky has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Rthihovsky working away.
Alves is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Rthihovsky has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Alves prevents Rthihovsky from improving position.

Alves explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Alves moves out of range of the leg kick from Rthihovsky.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Alves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rthihovsky is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alves.
Rthihovsky jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice defenses there by Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Alves.
Rthihovsky does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Alves lands with a cross.
Alves throws a lazy right hand but Rthihovsky sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rthihovsky swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alves. Rthihovsky does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Alves moves out of range as Rthihovsky strikes.
Rthihovsky uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Alves.
Alves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky misses with a straight left.
Alves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rthihovsky feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Alves's calf.
Rthihovsky throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rthihovsky misses with a hook.
Alves blocks a leg kick.
Rthihovsky keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Alves.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Alves misses with a wild body shot.
Alves shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rthihovsky pinned against the cage. Rthihovsky gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A big right from Alves misses.
Alves connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rthihovsky. That's going to slow Alves down.
Alves ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rthihovsky moves away.
Alves thuds his right hand into Rthihovsky's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Alves scores with a shot to the body.
Rthihovsky chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Alves ducks under a wild hook from Rthihovsky.
Nice shot lands for Alves.
A shot to the liver by Alves. Beautiful body shot.
Alves steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rthihovsky.
Alves fails to land the takedown.
Alves ducks under a wild hook from Rthihovsky.
Alves misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Donk. Alves catches Rthihovsky right on the button with a cross.
Alves shoots in for a double leg but Rthihovsky sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendall Alves dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice shot by Alves.
Rthihovsky uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alves.
Rthihovsky looks to score with a jab to the body but Alves is just out of range.
Alves is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rthihovsky uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alves.
Alves throws a body punch but Rthihovsky moves out of range.
Alves misses with a body shot.
Alves cracks Rthihovsky with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rthihovsky lands with a straight right. Alves didn't see that one coming.
Alves throws a shot to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Rthihovsky. That snapped Alves's head back.
Alves walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A slow jab from Rthihovsky misses its intended target.
Alves scores with a hook to the body. Rthihovsky takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rthihovsky keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Alves misses with a body punch
and Rthihovsky counters with a three punch combo that has Alves backing up. Alves nods at Rthihovsky to acknowledge the strikes.
Alves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Alves lands a nice looking body shot.
Alves throws out a loose jab but Rthihovsky uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alves looks to score with a jab to the body but Rthihovsky is just out of range.
Alves shoots and misses
and Rthihovsky counters with a nice low kick that buckles Alves's knee momentarily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rthihovsky.
Alves is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Alves is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rthihovsky.
Alves cracks Rthihovsky with an open hand slap.
Alves swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rthihovsky counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Alves walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kendall Alves is winning the standup battle so far.
Rthihovsky scores with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rthihovsky takes a jab right on the kisser.
Alves on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rthihovsky. Rthihovsky obviously looking to wear him down.
Rthihovsky throws an overhand right that lands on Alves's shoulder, as Alves tries to avoid the shot.
Alves connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rthihovsky. Rthihovsky circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves scores with a sloppy right hand. Rthihovsky should have avoided that one.
Alves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alves fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rthihovsky looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rthihovsky scores with a jab. Alves acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
No luck for Alves with that takedown attempt.
Alves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rthihovsky manages to avoid it.
Alves uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rthihovsky has time to react.
Alves takes a swing at Rthihovsky's ribcage but misses.
Rthihovsky throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves loads up on a big right hand but Rthihovsky slips the punch.
Alves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rthihovsky manages to avoid it.
Alves misses with a hook. Rthihovsky ducked under it nicely.
Rthihovsky throws a low kick but it's checked well by Alves.
Rthihovsky throws a looping overhand right but Alves ducks down to avoid it.
Alves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Alves thows a body shot but no joy.
Rthihovsky scores with the left hand. Alves knows he should have avoided that one.
Alves throws a body punch but Rthihovsky moves out of range.
A slow jab from Alves misses its intended target.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Alves misses the shot to the body.
Alves throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Alves throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rthihovsky's waist but Rthihovsky gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Alves off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kendall Alves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rthihovsky lands with an overhand left.
Alves shoots in looking for a takedown but Rthihovsky manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Alves's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Alves misses with a looping right.
Rthihovsky avoids the body shot from Alves.
Rthihovsky keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Alves is rocked!
Alves throws an off balance right hand
and Rthihovsky counters with a huge overhand right that connects right on the temple, sending him crumpling, face first to the floor! This one is all over! What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Fou Rthihovsky!
During a confident post fight interview, Fou Rthihovsky thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.