PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Alexandrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hatsu Matsu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexandrov comes to the cage accompanied by Pelageya & Darya Moroz-Oy, da ne vecher (russian folk music). The crowd seem to be enjoying Matsu's choice of entrance music: LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Alexandrov
vs
Matsu

188 cm
28
220 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

198 cm
25
215 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brute

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « ONI ↑ 5x160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Alexandrov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Hatsu Matsu!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Steven Brown and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexandrov avoids the body shot from Matsu.
No joy there for Alexandrov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Matsu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Alexandrov.
Matsu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Matsu fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Matsu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matsu ducks under a wild hook from Alexandrov.
Matsu tries to clinch
and Alexandrov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Matsu shoots in for a takedown but Alexandrov shows good takedown defense.
Matsu digs a good hook to Alexandrov's body.
Matsu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov stuffs the takedown.
Fedor Alexandrov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hatsu Matsu.
Alexandrov tries for a takedown but Matsu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsu walks into a stiff left hand from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov misses with an uppercut.
Matsu stuns Alexandrov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Matsu comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Matsu throws a lazy right hand but Alexandrov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Alexandrov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matsu.
Matsu scores with a sloppy right hand. Alexandrov should have avoided that one.
Alexandrov misses the jab.
Matsu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matsu lands a slapping body shot.
Matsu lands a head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Matsu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matsu throws the left hand but Alexandrov avoids the punch easily.
Donk. Matsu catches Alexandrov right on the button with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov throws a series of punches but Matsu moves out of range.
Alexandrov throws a nice looking combination but Matsu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Alexandrov throws a lazy head kick
enabling Matsu to counter with a crisp jab.
Matsu throws a jab when Alexandrov was well out of range.
Matsu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Matsu, as that shot connected.
Alexandrov ducks under a wild hook from Matsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov scores with a jab.
Alexandrov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Matsu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matsu swings for the body but Alexandrov moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Matsu.
Matsu fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matsu lands with a right hand.
Matsu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Alexandrov pinned against the cage. Alexandrov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Alexandrov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Matsu's sensitive parts.
Matsu shoots in for a takedown but Alexandrov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexandrov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Alexandrov ducks under a wild hook from Matsu.

Alexandrov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Matsu to the mat! Matsu manages to get full guard.
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!
Alexandrov is looking to work some ground and pound but Matsu has wrist control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alexandrov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Matsu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Alexandrov is one step ahead there.
Alexandrov stops Matsu from standing up.
Alexandrov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matsu is keeping the position for now.
Alexandrov postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alexandrov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alexandrov stopping the sweep attempt from Matsu.
Alexandrov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hatsu Matsu will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Alexandrov defending well as Matsu loads up on a big left hand.
Alexandrov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Alexandrov throws a lazy right hand but Matsu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matsu swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Alexandrov counters with a leg kick.
Matsu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Alexandrov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Matsu throws a leg kick that misses.
Matsu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alexandrov was well out of range. Poor timing from Matsu.
Alexandrov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matsu was well out of range. Poor timing from Alexandrov.
Alexandrov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Alexandrov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Alexandrov lands in his opponent's guard.
Matsu managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov postures up.
Alexandrov stopping the sweep attempt from Matsu.
Alexandrov wants to control from the top but Matsu keeps moving.

Alexandrov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Matsu manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Alexandrov has Matsu in his guard.
Matsu throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matsu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alexandrov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alexandrov 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.
Matsu slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Matsu scoring with some ground and pound.
Alexandrov is looking to stand up but Matsu isn't so interested in that idea.
Matsu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Matsu stopping the sweep attempt from Alexandrov.
Matsu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alexandrov is keeping the position for now.
Matsu looking to sit in guard and control but Alexandrov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alexandrov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Matsu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Matsu is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Alexandrov won't allow Matsu to sweep him here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Alexandrov chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsu looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Alexandrov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Matsu is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Alexandrov postures up.
Alexandrov throwing strikes but missing.

Matsu throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Alexandrov throwing strikes from guard but Matsu blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matsu lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Alexandrov!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alexandrov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hatsu Matsu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Matsu throws a looping overhand right but Alexandrov ducks down to avoid it.
Alexandrov misses with the combination.
Matsu tries for a takedown but Alexandrov circles away easily

and Alexandrov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Alexandrov.
Alexandrov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Matsu keeping full guard, as Alexandrov tries to pass.

Matsu working for a triangle but Alexandrov defends it easily.
Matsu wants to sweep but no luck.
Alexandrov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Matsu's head.
Matsu trying to keep a closed guard but Alexandrov is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexandrov trying to control but Matsu is working from the bottom.
Alexandrov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Matsu controls Alexandrov momentarily but Alexandrov frees himself.
Matsu manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Alexandrov manages to get himself to full guard.

Alexandrov pushes a forearm under Matsu's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Matsu is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Fedor Alexandrov!
Fedor Alexandrov retains his light heavyweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Fedor Alexandrov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.