PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yardigalovich Vasililiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Faisal Alii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vasililiev
vs
Alii

170 cm
23
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

176 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Yardigalovich Vasililiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Faisal Alii!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Thiago Cunha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alii has his takedown stuffed

and Vasililiev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Vasililiev is trying to pull guard but Alii has him pressed against the cage.
Alii is trying to push Vasililiev away but Vasililiev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Alii breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alii tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vasililiev swivels and escapes.
Vasililiev has a takedown stuffed.
Vasililiev takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A jab from Alii misses.
Vasililiev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Alii.
Yardigalovich Vasililiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Faisal Alii.
Alii stuffs the takedown attempt from Vasililiev. Vasililiev gets slowly back to his feet.
Alii tries to clinch but Vasililiev is having none of it.
Alii slaps away a takedown attempt from Vasililiev, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasililiev tries a head kick but it misses.
Alii is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Alii stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alii wants it to stay on the feet.
Alii fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Alii loads up on a big right hand but Vasililiev slips the punch.
Vasililiev throws a front kick aimed at Alii's knee but Alii avoids it well.
Alii fails with an attempt to clinch.
Alii lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vasililiev circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice sprawl there from Alii as Vasililiev shoots in.
Alii tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vasililiev swivels and escapes.
Alii looks winded!
Alii tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vasililiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alii throws a right hand that Vasililiev ducks under and follows up with a left that Vasililiev also avoids with ease.
Alii closes the distance and clinches up with Vasililiev, looking for a takedown. Alii pushes Vasililiev against the cage but Vasililiev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vasililiev ducks under a wild hook from Alii.
Vasililiev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alii moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A head kick misses from Vasililiev.

Vasililiev feints and as Alii raises his hands in defense, Vasililiev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Alii striking off his back but it's not causing Vasililiev any problems.

Alii isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Vasililiev stacks Alii on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Vasililiev!
Alii is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasililiev advances nicely into full mount.
Alii tries to reverse the position but Vasililiev maintains control.
Vasililiev sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alii tries to hold on but Vasililiev pushes him away.

Vasililiev working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Vasililiev avoids the attempt from Alii to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alii trying desperately to get to his feet.
Vasililiev throws a sloppy strike and Alii uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Alii has ended up in Vasililiev's guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vasililiev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Alii tries to free his leg and advance position but Vasililiev is retaining full guard.
Vasililiev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Vasililiev tries to get out of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vasililiev can't keep his opponent in guard - Alii advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Alii thows a huge punch but Vasililiev dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Faisal Alii will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Alii is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vasililiev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vasililiev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Vasililiev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alii swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vasililiev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Alii.
Alii fails to land the takedown.
Vasililiev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Alii circles away.
Alii avoids a kick to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Alii.
Yardigalovich Vasililiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Faisal Alii.
Vasililiev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasililiev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vasililiev shoots in for a takedown but Alii shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vasililiev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alii is fending him off so far but Vasililiev persists. Nope, Alii circles away and we're back to standing.
Vasililiev drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Alii scores with a jab.
Alii fails with an attempt to clinch.

Alii rushes Vasililiev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Vasililiev keeps control of Alii as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Alii wants to break the clinch but can't.
Alii wants to get back to striking at distance but Vasililiev won't allow it.
Vasililiev has Alii pressed against the cage, preventing Alii from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alii manages to break the clinch.
Vasililiev walks into a left hand.
Alii stuffs the takedown attempt from Vasililiev. Vasililiev gets slowly back to his feet.
Alii changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vasililiev tries to avoid it but Alii manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vasililiev to the ground. Vasililiev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Alii looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Alii shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Vasililiev eats them both and turns towards Alii to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Alii tries to clinch up.
Alii scores with the left hand. Vasililiev knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alii swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasililiev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Alii moves into the clinch.
Vasililiev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Alii wants to get back to striking at distance but Vasililiev won't allow it.
Alii working hard to break the clinch.
Vasililiev has Alii pressed against the cage, preventing Alii from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Alii's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vasililiev throws a head kick that misses.
Alii misses with a two punch combination.
Faisal Alii seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Alii tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Vasililiev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fighters circling - Alii throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasililiev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Vasililiev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Alii as he jumps to the side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Alii is defended easily by Vasililiev.
Yardigalovich Vasililiev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alii tries to clinch up.
Alii connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vasililiev's hands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Alii shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Vasililiev manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
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!
Alii loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Faisal Alii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Vasililiev shoots in looking for a takedown but Alii manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vasililiev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Alii fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Vasililiev gets tackled into the cage by Alii. Alii maintains the clinch.
Alii is trying to force a seperation but Vasililiev has the dominant position.
Vasililiev tries to break free but Alii pushes him back against the cage.
Alii wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Alii wants to break free but Vasililiev has control.
Alii tries to break the clinch but Vasililiev is controlling the position.
Alii is trying to break the clinch but Vasililiev has him pressed against the cage.
Vasililiev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Alii's efforts to push away.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Alii looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Alii wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vasililiev has him pressed against the cage.
Alii takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vasililiev with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alii tries to break free but Vasililiev pushes him back against the cage.
Vasililiev tries to pull guard but Alii won't allow it.
Alii is trying to force a seperation but Vasililiev has the dominant position.
Vasililiev missing with knees to the body.

Alii breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Alii moves into the clinch successfully.
Vasililiev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alii tries to circle away but Vasililiev has him pinned against the cage.
Vasililiev keeps control of Alii as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Alii wants to break the clinch but can't.
Alii keeps control of Vasililiev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vasililiev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vasililiev is trying to pull guard but Alii has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yardigalovich Vasililiev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Alii breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alii tries to close the distance and clinch but Vasililiev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vasililiev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vasililiev staying out of range there.
Alii closes the distance and clinches up with Vasililiev, looking for a takedown. Alii pushes Vasililiev against the cage but Vasililiev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A jab from Vasililiev misses.
Alii might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Alii stuffs the takedown.
Alii throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Vasililiev's waist but Vasililiev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Alii off to one side.
Alii misses with a takedown attempt - Vasililiev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alii misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alii shoots in looking for a takedown. Vasililiev tries to sprawl out of it but Alii keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vasililiev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Alii takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Alii tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vasililiev swivels and escapes.
Alii fails with a takedown attempt.
Vasililiev wants to clinch up but Alii keeps it at a distance.
Alii shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vasililiev as he avoids it easily.
Vasililiev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alii sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alii is looking to clinch.
Vasililiev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Alii lands a glancing blow to the side of Vasililiev's head.
Vasililiev stuffs the takedown.
Alii shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vasililiev sprawls well. Vasililiev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Alii gets slowly back to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Alii or perhaps it was just good defense by Vasililiev which made him look bad.
Yardigalovich Vasililiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Faisal Alii is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vasililiev. Alii does a little dance to reset his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Faisal Alii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Alii has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Faisal Alii!