PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Sexton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexei Laptev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sexton
vs
Laptev

171 cm
22
279 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
23
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Christopher Sexton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexei Laptev!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sexton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Laptev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Sexton counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sexton.

Laptev gets control of Sexton's arms and successfully pulls guard. Laptev will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Laptev can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sexton controls the pace.
Sexton looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sexton stopping the sweep attempt from Laptev.
Laptev wants to stand and escape but Sexton is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Christopher Sexton has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Laptev moves into the clinch.
Laptev tries to break the clinch but Sexton is controlling the position.

Sexton manages to break the clinch.
Laptev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Sexton holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sexton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Laptev's efforts to push away.
Sexton jumps guard but Laptev turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Laptev is trying to break the clinch but Sexton is controlling him.
Laptev working hard to break the clinch.

Laptev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sexton thows a body shot but no joy.
Sexton fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christopher Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sexton pushes Laptev up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sexton is trying to break free.

Sexton manages to pull guard.
Laptev wants to stand but Sexton is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sexton looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Sexton really is a fat lump.
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!
Sexton wants to sweep here but Laptev controlling him for the moment.
Sexton is pulling down on Laptev's head. It's preventing any offense from Laptev, at least for the moment.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Laptev wants to stand but Sexton is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sexton knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Laptev on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Christopher Sexton has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Sexton darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Sexton stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
A punch combination from Laptev misses.
Laptev scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Laptev stuffs the takedown attempt from Sexton. Sexton gets slowly back to his feet.
Laptev closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Laptev looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laptev throws a right and a left that Sexton avoids nicely.
Laptev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Laptev dodges the punch combination from Sexton.
Sexton fails to land the takedown.
Sexton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sexton avoids the head kick by Laptev.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Laptev!
Laptev goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sexton looks for a takedown but Laptev sprawls well.
Laptev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Sexton has Laptev up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Christopher Sexton will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sexton is defended easily by Laptev.
Some wild striking there from Sexton.
Laptev swinging wildly here.
Laptev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Sexton gets a clinch.
Laptev tries to circle away but Sexton has him pinned against the cage.
Sexton tries for a takedown. No joy.

Laptev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Laptev does no damage.
Laptev throws a right hand that Sexton ducks under and follows up with a left that Sexton also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laptev fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sexton has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sexton swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Laptev wants to clinch up but Sexton keeps it at a distance.
Sexton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Laptev.
Christopher Sexton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sexton swings for the body but Laptev moves out of range.
Sexton tries to close the distance and clinch but Laptev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Laptev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sexton's efforts to push away.
Laptev is trying to break free.
Laptev is looking to break free of the clinch but Sexton has double underhooks.
Sexton has Laptev pressed against the cage, preventing Laptev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Laptev can't break the clinch.
Laptev is breathing heavily.
The referee calls for Sexton to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sexton throws an elbow that misses.
Sexton prevents Laptev from breaking the clinch.
Laptev wants to break free but Sexton has control.

Laptev is fighting off a takedown attempt but Sexton is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Laptev to the mat. Laptev regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Sexton throwing strikes but missing.

Sexton stands and steps away. Laptev gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laptev leaves Sexton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christopher Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sexton moves into range and clinches up with Laptev.
Laptev has Sexton pressed against the cage, preventing Sexton from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sexton lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Laptev wants to break the clinch but can't.

Sexton has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Laptev uses from the top position.
Laptev has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sexton is proving hard to escape from.
Sexton will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Laptev won't allow Sexton to sweep him here.
Laptev wants to stand but Sexton is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sexton is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Laptev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sexton has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Laptev has managed to get both his arms back between Sexton's legs - danger averted.
Laptev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Sexton looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sexton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Laptev is fending him off so far but Sexton persists. Nope, Laptev circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Laptev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sexton counters with a right hand to the body.
Sexton shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Laptev defends it nicely.

Laptev tries to keep at a distance but Sexton has taken the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Sexton dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sexton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Laptev avoids it really well and circles away.
Laptev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sexton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sexton tries to land a leg kick but Laptev saw it coming and moves away.
Sexton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Laptev is fending him off so far but Sexton persists. Nope, Laptev circles away and we're back to standing.
Laptev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sexton circles away quickly and effectively.
Laptev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alexei Laptev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A left and a right from Laptev both land. Nice combination.
Laptev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christopher Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laptev misses with a few strikes there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sexton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Laptev misses with a series of wild punches.
Sexton fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Laptev is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laptev misses with a few strikes there.
Nice sprawl there from Laptev as Sexton shoots in.
Laptev throws a right and a left that both miss.

Sexton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Laptev, pushing him back against the cage.
Laptev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sexton has him pressed against the cage.
Laptev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Laptev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Laptev lands with a nice combination. Sexton backs away looking to recover.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Laptev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sexton.
Laptev stuffs the takedown attempt from Sexton. Sexton gets slowly back to his feet.
Laptev misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laptev misses with a two punch combination.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Laptev sprawls well. Laptev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sexton gets slowly back to his feet.
Sexton fails to land with a series of punches.
Laptev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sexton as he jumps to the side.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sexton.
Laptev stuffs the takedown.
Sexton avoids a punch combination nicely.
Laptev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Laptev blocks a head kick by Sexton.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laptev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sexton has a takedown stuffed.
Sexton fails to land the takedown.
Laptev misses with the combination.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sexton shoots for a double leg takedown but Laptev sprawls well. He's pushed Sexton's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Laptev throws a right and a left that Sexton avoids nicely.
Laptev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sexton moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Laptev throws a right and a left that both miss.

Laptev tries to keep at a distance but Sexton has taken the fight into the clinch.
Laptev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sexton tries to score a body lock takedown but Laptev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Laptev breaks from the clinch.
Laptev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Laptev as he jumps to the side.
Sexton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Laptev throws a nice looking combination but Sexton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Some wild striking there from Laptev.
Laptev looks to land a combination but Sexton avoids it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexei Laptev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sexton has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Christopher Sexton!